Convincing My Son To Carry 2 Epinephrine Autoinjectors
Updated: Sep 18
(Updated September 2026) Not sure about you, but as a food allergy parent there have definitely been some eye roll moments during my parenting journey as I've tried to help my my oldest son navigate allergic life. Food allergy protocols have evolved since he was little and that can sometimes make it challenging to update ingrained food allergy habits embedded 20+ years ago. For example, carrying 2 epinephrine (epi) autoinjectors — in our earliest days of food allergy parenting it was 'carry AN autoinjector.' Now it's 'Carry 2.'
Our older son is great about keeping one of his epinephrine autoinjectors with him. But it falls apart when I ask him to 'Carry 2'. It's been quite a few years since he's had anaphylaxis, so maybe the memory of the incident is fuzzy around the edges.
"It's too much hassle, too bulky. One (Auvi-Q) will be fine. I've got this, Mom."
No. He doesn't.
He will acquiesce and take 2 when he travels, but only after being subjected to the sustained 'encouragement' {nagging?} that only an allergy mom can dish. But, it's the everyday to-ing and fro-ing I really worry about.
Wish I could have a few do-overs because with my today knowledge I would have been sure that carrying 2 was a firmly entrenched HABIT from his earliest years of self-carry.
If you are having tough conversations like mine with your young adult, and eye rolls at the mere mention of Carry 2, I'm sharing information here that will equip you with facts to help you make the case.
My hope is that the info can help you approach your Carry 2 'negotiation' with your food allergic teen or young adult with more logic and less emotion. Tough discussions with my son always seem go better when my point of departure is evidence-based.
Equip yourself with the facts behind 'Why Carry TWO'
Read this post by Red Sneakers for Oakley
Make carrying epinephrine x2 ridiculously convenient
One suggestion is a SPIBELT
Another idea is a FLIPBELT
Or this one from lululemon
A Google search yields lots of convenient options to fit your child's preferences. Make your child your partner in the decision. Afterall, they have to wear it.
Remember to breathe, Mom. You've got this.
About the Author: Gayle Rigione is CEO of Allergy Force, the food allergy app. She’s also an allergy mom. She’s lived the heart stopping moments when her son ate the wrong thing, second guessed reactions and raced to the ER. These experiences inspire her to create tech and educational resources for people with food allergies. Whatever you do, do it with a full heart. Audentes Fortuna Iuvat
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Image: Dakota Monk on Burst
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