I posted about my immunization session with my doctor in regards to Belize. My whole idea was to avoid any threats to getting sicknesses while in Belize. But after having an allergic reaction to the Hep A shot, I have some more things to seriously consider. This allergic reaction helped open my eyes.

Since I have been 21 I have had some serious reactions to certain lotions and baby oils. The photo to the left displays an allergic reaction I had a day after receiving an emergency steroid shot to retain the rash when I was 22. The “No-Ad” Sunscreen caused this reaction. A few months later I had a very similar instance with hives after using baby oil in a photo shoot. I didn’t get a shot but I drugged myself up big time with benedryl and slept for just about two days because of the benedryl. The photo to the right displays my latest reaction to the shot. After reviewing some of my symptoms with my primary care physician and an allergist and my dad, we have come to the conclusion that it would be best for me to carry an EpiPen with me in Belize and certain outdoor adventures here in the states. It is clear I have serious allergies to certain things and have had problems year after year since I was a girl, including being an asthmatic. If I were to come in contact with a bug, or snake bite, or scorpion bite, oily leaf, etc that I have not encountered before, there is a potential risk for death. It would be smartest for me to carry the EpiPen that I could inject myself once displaying relevant symptoms that display Anaphylaxis. Symptoms such as swelling of the throat or tongue, hives, and trouble breathing. When it strikes, life is at risk. And time is critical.

This is something that travelers traveling to Belize should consider as well. I would have never thought to have this on hand with me, but really, it’s a really great tool to have in case of an emergency. The prescription comes with two injections. Yeah, these might be for me, however, God forbid, Courtney also had a problem with something. We have two EpiPens on hand to save a life if need be. Well worth it. Thinking about safety, this could be more important to me than the malaria and typhoid prescriptions. This is something that could save someone from dieing within 15 minutes. Malaria and Typhoid just make you seriously ill but they don’t necessarily kill you like an allergic reaction could.