My little girl is going to school this year. There's no question that she will need to carry her EpiPen on her at all times. The problem I've encountered with many EpiPen belts is that they are either a) too expensive, b) too bulky and get in the way, or c) not very comfortable because of the way they fit. Also, the problem was compounded by the fact that my daughter has such a tiny waist, so small that it's about the length of an EpiPen. When she wears the EpiPen with a holder, it literally covers her waist from side to side and is even bigger, making it extremely inconvenient and uncomfortable. I tried to get her to wear several different varieties of EpiPen holders and she always came back ten minutes later demanding to remove it. That is until I found Onespot Allergy's EpiPen holder. It is truly the best in my opinion. It's flexible and can easily accommodate two EpiPens although we only keep one inside it and because it's not bulky, my daughter loves it and finds it comfortable. She put it on the first time and kept it on for an hour without any complaints. The next day, she wore it for the entire day while we were out. Now, she wears it any time she's leaving the house. She has no problems with it and loves the colour (very bright pink/I need my sunglasses pink), flexibility and comfort.
Here's my detailed review of The Best EpiPen Belt by Onespot Allergy. I've included a picture of my daughter wearing it. As you can see, it takes the entire length of her waist. If only I could get my waist to be that small...
Here's my detailed review of The Best EpiPen Belt by Onespot Allergy. I've included a picture of my daughter wearing it. As you can see, it takes the entire length of her waist. If only I could get my waist to be that small...
What is the Best EpiBelt? What does it do?
Onespot Allergy states that The Best EpiPen Belt is simply the most discreet and comfortable way to wear one to four EpiPens. These belts fit the newly designed EpiPen or any other injector and can be ordered with one or two slide-on extra pockets to hold asthma inhalers or puffers, Benadryl, cell phones, or other personal items. The slide-on pouch can also be used separately to slide onto a regular belt or like a holster, by attaching a hook and hanging it on a belt loop or bag.
Onespot Allergy states that The Best EpiPen Belt is simply the most discreet and comfortable way to wear one to four EpiPens. These belts fit the newly designed EpiPen or any other injector and can be ordered with one or two slide-on extra pockets to hold asthma inhalers or puffers, Benadryl, cell phones, or other personal items. The slide-on pouch can also be used separately to slide onto a regular belt or like a holster, by attaching a hook and hanging it on a belt loop or bag.
Who is the EpiBelt for?
It's for kids and adults or anyone who needs to carry an EpiPen. It comes in a 'One Size Fits All' but there is an option for extra small belts (for those tiny waists like my daughter who only eats carbs once every blue moon). The 'One Size Fits All' adjusts to fit children to adults size 36 (it adjusts from 24 inches to 50 inches). The 'Extra Small' is available for waists 14 inches to 23 inches. The EpiBelts are machine washable in cold water and hang to dry. In our case, we purchased one extra small belt for my daughter. I wish that I could buy the extra small for myself but I'm aware that shrinking my waist to 23 inches is a pipe dream. So I just went ahead and purchased one adult size belt for myself. Mine is black but the pink one looks adorable so I used it for the purpose of this review.
It's for kids and adults or anyone who needs to carry an EpiPen. It comes in a 'One Size Fits All' but there is an option for extra small belts (for those tiny waists like my daughter who only eats carbs once every blue moon). The 'One Size Fits All' adjusts to fit children to adults size 36 (it adjusts from 24 inches to 50 inches). The 'Extra Small' is available for waists 14 inches to 23 inches. The EpiBelts are machine washable in cold water and hang to dry. In our case, we purchased one extra small belt for my daughter. I wish that I could buy the extra small for myself but I'm aware that shrinking my waist to 23 inches is a pipe dream. So I just went ahead and purchased one adult size belt for myself. Mine is black but the pink one looks adorable so I used it for the purpose of this review.
How is the EpiBelt used?
I don't need to go into details about this part because Elizabeth Goldenberg (the founder of Onespot Allergy and a mother of an allergic child) actually has a very informative video showing how to use the belt which you can view here. Essentially, the EpiPen remains in its clear plastic tube and is inserted into the fabric pouch and zipped up. A puffer and Benadryl or other medication can be placed in the same pouch, or you can purchase a second pouch for them. Keep in mind though, the more stuff you put into the pouch, the bulkier it's going to get. This may not bother an adult but for little kids (especially ones with small frames) bulky belts are unappealing and bothersome. My daughter is easily able to remove the belt by herself. Therefore, it was necessary to find a belt she likes and would wear. The last thing I want is for her to take off the belt and walk around without her EpiPen. For the purpose of carrying one or two EpiPens, Onespot Allergy's EpiBelt is excellent.
I don't need to go into details about this part because Elizabeth Goldenberg (the founder of Onespot Allergy and a mother of an allergic child) actually has a very informative video showing how to use the belt which you can view here. Essentially, the EpiPen remains in its clear plastic tube and is inserted into the fabric pouch and zipped up. A puffer and Benadryl or other medication can be placed in the same pouch, or you can purchase a second pouch for them. Keep in mind though, the more stuff you put into the pouch, the bulkier it's going to get. This may not bother an adult but for little kids (especially ones with small frames) bulky belts are unappealing and bothersome. My daughter is easily able to remove the belt by herself. Therefore, it was necessary to find a belt she likes and would wear. The last thing I want is for her to take off the belt and walk around without her EpiPen. For the purpose of carrying one or two EpiPens, Onespot Allergy's EpiBelt is excellent.
What’s good about the EpiBelt? Anything bad to report?
I haven't encountered any problems with this belt so far (nothing bad to report!? Shocking, I know), so I have no negative things to say about it. What I like about this EpiBelt is that it is not bulky like a fanny pack. The waist band is made of black thick elastic, and the zipper and clasps are very durable. The pouch is about one inch wide when empty and made of spandex/nylon, similar to the fabric used in swimsuits, so it's very stretchy which is why it can easily expand to accommodate more than one EpiPen leaving no extra fabric hanging around to get in the way. The pouch is stitched securely onto the waist band, so it does not roll forward or sag. The belt is easily hidden under a t-shirt and will not cause clothes to cling to it. Here's a demonstration of how stretchy it is...
I haven't encountered any problems with this belt so far (nothing bad to report!? Shocking, I know), so I have no negative things to say about it. What I like about this EpiBelt is that it is not bulky like a fanny pack. The waist band is made of black thick elastic, and the zipper and clasps are very durable. The pouch is about one inch wide when empty and made of spandex/nylon, similar to the fabric used in swimsuits, so it's very stretchy which is why it can easily expand to accommodate more than one EpiPen leaving no extra fabric hanging around to get in the way. The pouch is stitched securely onto the waist band, so it does not roll forward or sag. The belt is easily hidden under a t-shirt and will not cause clothes to cling to it. Here's a demonstration of how stretchy it is...
You can also purchase belts and extra pockets for puffers and inhalers separately. In addition there is a waterproof option that you can purchase separately. I think Elizabeth thought of everyone who's living with allergies and their needs. That's why all these options are available. I'm not going to deny that I like purchasing from companies whose owners/developers are themselves parents of allergic children. It just makes it so much easier because they understand my concerns and I don't feel like I'm coming across as a difficult or demanding customer. My personal correspondence with Elizabeth has been pleasant and informative. I think Onespot Allergy's customer service is exemplary.
Is the EpiBelt worth the money?
I think it's definitely worth every penny. No one wants to be rummaging through their back pack or purse to find the EpiPen during an allergic reaction. I certainly don't want my daughter to have to wait while the teacher looks for the EpiPen in her backpack. The belt makes the EpiPen immediately accessible and also ensures that it is the epipen that belongs to my daughter which is the correct dosage for her. If there is more than one EpiPen in the school (and this is common), I do not want my child to be accidentally given a larger dose or something entirely different. Having immediate access to the EpiPen is the best treatment for an allergic reaction and the EpiBelt makes that possible.
I think it's definitely worth every penny. No one wants to be rummaging through their back pack or purse to find the EpiPen during an allergic reaction. I certainly don't want my daughter to have to wait while the teacher looks for the EpiPen in her backpack. The belt makes the EpiPen immediately accessible and also ensures that it is the epipen that belongs to my daughter which is the correct dosage for her. If there is more than one EpiPen in the school (and this is common), I do not want my child to be accidentally given a larger dose or something entirely different. Having immediate access to the EpiPen is the best treatment for an allergic reaction and the EpiBelt makes that possible.
How much does it cost? And where can I buy it?
Currently the belts are available on Onespot Allergy for $25.00 plus shipping and handling. Shipping prices are reasonable and start at $3.95 to any address in the USA or Canada. Visa, Mastercard and PayPal are the available payment methods. However, selection and pricing may vary from the time this review was written.
Now, give yourself some peace of mind and buy one of those belts today. I think it's really the best option and is far superior to any of the other EpiPen belts on the market today. Yeah, and that includes the makeshift belts that are made of elastic and a pencil case, or the ones where the components were purchased at the dollar store. My creativity shines in the kitchen; sewing is an entirely different story...
Currently the belts are available on Onespot Allergy for $25.00 plus shipping and handling. Shipping prices are reasonable and start at $3.95 to any address in the USA or Canada. Visa, Mastercard and PayPal are the available payment methods. However, selection and pricing may vary from the time this review was written.
Now, give yourself some peace of mind and buy one of those belts today. I think it's really the best option and is far superior to any of the other EpiPen belts on the market today. Yeah, and that includes the makeshift belts that are made of elastic and a pencil case, or the ones where the components were purchased at the dollar store. My creativity shines in the kitchen; sewing is an entirely different story...
