Fast help for allergic emergencies.

For at least 2,000,000 Americans, an insect sting can be fatal. Each year, there are approximately 40 deaths from anaphylactic reactions to them.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen to which he or she previously has been sensitized. This condition commonly is triggered by insect stings (especially those of bees, hornets and wasps); foods (including milk, eggs, nuts, and shellfish); and widely used drugs (such as penicillin, seizure medicines, muscle relaxants, and even aspirin).

Early manifestations of impending anaphylaxis include hives and itching, flushing, wheezing, hoarseness, and swelling of the hands and feet. Two-thirds of those affected also experience upper respiratory problems, and half suffer a severe drop in blood pressure. Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few seconds to two hours after exposure to the allergen.

For those at risk of such reactions, Survival Technology, Inc., Bethesda, Md., has developed the EpiPen Epinephrine Auto-Injector, a disposable drug delivery system that is designed for...