Did you know that up to six million Americans are at risk for severe, life-threatening allergic reactions (also called anaphylaxis)?

People can have severe allergies to foods (including peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs, soy and wheat) and other allergens like insect stings, latex and medications.

Food Network Star Robin Miller knows what it’s like to live with food allergies; she herself has a severe allergy to eggs.

That’s why she’s teamed up with Sanofi to raise awareness about severe allergies and Auvi-Q TM – an epinephrine auto-injector for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis.

“When I learned that surveys showed that approximately two-thirds of patients and caregivers do not carry their epinephrine auto-injectors as recommended, I wanted to get involved and help educate others about making sure they are always prepared,” she told us.

Check out the interview with Miller below: 

What’s the hardest part of having a serious food allergy?

The hardest part about having a food allergy is making sure that I avoid all foods that could potentially contain eggs. It can be in a restaurant, or a friend’s house, and it’s not always easy. I don’t want to be a burden to a friend or sound finicky at a restaurant. And I also worry that the restaurant won’t take me seriously. For me, even the tiniest exposure to eggs can set off a severe allergic reaction.

What’s one piece of advice you would give parents of children w/ serious food allergies?

Educate your child and his/her caregivers. Teach your children to recognize the importance of avoiding their allergen(s) and to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Let them know that you, as their parent, are informing their teachers, friend’s parents, etc about their allergen to help keep them safe, but that they should never eat anything that isn’t first checked for safety by a responsible adult. Also, encourage them to consistently inform people of their allergy, especially when they are outside your supervision.

How should parents inform other adults about their child’s allergies?

When speaking to other parents, teachers, coaches – any caregiver – about the allergy, stress the importance of avoiding the trigger food(s).  You should also show caregivers how to use your child’s epinephrine auto-injector and let them know where it is located in case of an allergic emergency. 

The great part about Auvi-Q, which is the epinephrine auto-injector that I always carry, is that it is the first and only compact epinephrine auto-injector with audio and visual cues. It literally talks the user through the injection process.

For more information, visit Auvi-Q.com – and don’t forget to check out Robin Miller’s Allergy-Friendly Recipe for Chicken Taquitos.