Call your doctor or allergist to make an appointment. Bring any relevant materials to discuss why you believe you need an EpiPen, such as details of recent ER visits or referrals from other doctors. You cannot buy an Epi-pen without a prescription. Therefore, if you are travelling or going away on holiday, allow for time to see the doctor beforehand. At your appointment, talk to your doctor about any recent allergy scares, hospitalizations, or history of anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylactic reactions include trouble breathing, hives, low blood pressure, facial swelling, vomiting, or a weak pulse. Everyday allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes or a runny nose, should be treated with maintenance medications, such as an inhaled corticosteroid, not an emergency medication like an EpiPen. However, even mild allergens can become life threatening in large quantities. Your doctor can help determine if you are at risk for anaphylaxis and need to carry an EpiPen. Based on your symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether an EpiPen, or another medication, would be most appropriate to treat your allergies. The doctor may perform skin-prick testing or spirometry tests to determine the severity of your allergic symptoms.  A skin-prick test, which is also called a scratch test, evaluates up to 40 substances at a time to see if they produce an allergic reaction in the patient. A nurse will prick the person with a drop of the allergen to see if there is an allergic reaction.  A spirometry test is an office exam that allows the doctor to test how much air you inhale at one time, how much air you exhale, and how long it takes you to exhale. This will tell your doctor if you are breathing normally. Ask your doctor if multiple prescriptions are necessary so you can have EpiPens at your office, at school, or in your car, depending upon your typical schedule and needs. It's important to carry an EpiPen with you at all times if you have a life-threatening allergy. Your doctor can determine how many additional prescriptions, if any, are appropriate. In most cases, no more than 3 are necessary. You may want to get an extra EpiPen to keep at work or give to the school nurse. Obtain a copy of your prescription so you can fill it at your local pharmacy. Sometimes doctors send prescriptions directly to your pharmacy electronically instead. Have the name, address, and phone number of your preferred pharmacy ready for your doctor just in case. If your doctor writes you a paper prescription, store it in a safe place, such as inside your wallet, until you can fill it at the pharmacy. However, remember that prescriptions do have expiration dates. Most expire 3 months after they are written, unless otherwise stated.

Summary: Make an appointment with your doctor or allergist. Discuss any history of anaphylaxis or troublesome allergy symptoms. Ask if an EpiPen prescription is right for you. Discuss if multiple EpiPen prescriptions are needed. Ask for a paper or electronic copy of your prescription(s).


Although increased feelings of congestion are typical in the first few weeks after you stop smoking, be aware that any smoking habit increases your risk of “smoker’s lung”, a catch-all term for chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which are associated with a reduction of airflow due to lung damage. Both conditions are associated with coughing and feelings of breathlessness.  Individuals with smoker's lung experience a combination of symptoms similar to having chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These include chronic coughing, breathlessness, and mucus in your lungs.  Although treatment for these two conditions may be minor, it’s important to talk to your doctor after quitting smoking about your likelihood of contracting either of these conditions. Your doctor may recommend a chest X-ray or a CT scan to exclude other possibilities. A lung function test or a blood test may also be necessary to determine other contributors to your condition. You should also wear a mask when you are working with strong fumes like paint or household cleaners with strong fumes.  If possible, stay indoors on high air pollution days. Stay away from wood stoves and kerosene heaters, which also can emit irritating fumes or smoke. If cold air aggravates your cough, wear a face mask before you go outside, particularly during the winter. It’s important to keep your lungs and cardiovascular system in good working order. Your body already begins the repair process as soon as you quit smoking. The more you exercise, particularly after you quit smoking, the more you will help your lungs gain back the capacity they lost while you were smoking. A study examining the effects of quitting smoking found some physical improvements after just a week. Eleven young men who smoked about a pack a day for three and a half years were subjected to several tests while on a stationary bike before quitting, and then a week later. The study showed considerably increase in oxygen concentration in the lungs and an extension of exercise time. Having a humidifier or vaporizer in your bedroom while you sleep can help you keep hydrated at night and will also help to loosen mucus. Keep the filter clean and the humidifier will minimize the amount of congestion-causing dust in the air. Keep the vaporizer and humidifier clean. Every two to three days, clean the filter using a mixture of bleach and water (two tablespoons of bleach per one quart of water). Run the machine until dry (approximately 40 minutes) in a well-ventilated area, away from your bedroom.

Summary: Ask your doctor about treatment for “smoker’s lung”. Avoid any exposure to cigarette or cigar smoke. Exercise on a regular basis. Buy a humidifier or vaporizer.


Start with one at a time, so a broken yolk doesn't ruin your whole plate. Keep a second bowl on the side for the yolks. Hold the bottle in this partially crumpled position. Place the mouth of the bottle on top of the egg yolk, and slowly release your grip. The air pressure will push the yolk into the bottle. This might take some practice; releasing too much or too quickly will pull up some of the egg whites as well. Carefully keep the bottle compressed so the yolk stays inside the bottle. Move the bottle over to the other bowl and let go to drop in the yolk. Tilting the bottle a little may help.
Summary: Carefully crack the egg onto a shallow bowl. Squeeze some of the air from a clean plastic bottle. Pick up the yolk. Transfer the yolk to the other bowl.