What may seem like a simple cut can, in fact, be a deep stab laceration. My three-year-old son once found an EpiPen on the counter and thought it was the practice EpiPen that we allow him to play with. However, this is the worst-case situation. All I want is to get through my day without screwing something up. Most cases of anaphylaxis happen quickly and fully resolve after theyre treated. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, works by relaxing the muscles of the airways and constricting the blood vessels -- buying people time to get to the emergency room for treatment. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images, but is obvious as the patient is the first author of this case report. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". If left untreated, low blood glucose levels may lead to seizure or coma. At Dust Mite Solutions we try to answer the most important questions you have about allergies. Introduction Epinephrine autoinjector devices are used with increasing frequency to treat severe anaphylactic reactions. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Correspondence to This event also highlights the importance for all doctors to gain quick access to information in the case of unusual presentation. Swing the pen back about 6 inches and firmly push it against their thigh . Teaching your child about social distancing. Hand. This sub is under reconstruction, please be patient as we work to improve it. For children and adults who experience anaphylaxis, an epinephrine shot is a matter of life or death. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: Regardless, you should always seek medical attention in the event of an accidental injection; its better safe than sorry! Google Scholar. It can be given while wearing pants. What is the difference between EpiPen doses? Manage cookies/Do not sell my data we use in the preference centre. Anyone who unintentionally injects himself or herself with insulin could experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) symptoms such as nervousness, shakiness, headache, and fatigue. pain and swelling at the injection site. Many people dont realize that after using the pen, you still must call 911 and get emergency medical attention, just in case you need back-up treatment. What do you do if you accidentally inject yourself with an EpiPen? message spotted in SoCal snow as some grow desperate, Weekend winner, with the exception of some problematic pollen, Moose charges snowmobiler in Idaho: VIDEO. elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. Clean any accidental sticks right away. Do not use liquid medications that are cloudy or have changed color Calculate the . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I am allergic to bees so I've always had epipens. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. & Staeger, P. Management options for accidental injection of epinephrine from an autoinjector: a case report. Social distancing is a new concept for all of us and as hard as it is for adults to adopt, getting children to understand and cooperate with our new normal is super challenging. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Accidental injection symptoms are typically mild and may include transient numbness or tingling. What happens if you stab your finger with an EpiPen? After injecting an EpiPen, hearing a click lets you know it worked. But mistakes happen and you should be prepared. Ive carried it around for years, just in case something were to happen. How can you prevent yourself from sticking yourself with an EpiPen? The most common problems were 1) not holding the auto-injector in place long enough; 2) pressing the wrong end into the thigh; and 3) using too little force to inject into the thigh. Velissariou I, Cottrell S, Berry K, Wilson B: Management of adrenaline (epinephrine) induced digital ischaemia in children after accidental injection from an EpiPen. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Thus far Ive been lucky. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. What happens if you inject an EpiPen by accident? Always call 911 or go to the emergency room after using your EpiPen. A medical student has gone viral by detailing the correct way to use an EpiPen - after watching a video of a clueless girl accidentally stabbing herself in the finger while trying to administer . "Somehow he, when he reached into the batch, got a hold of a real, live EpiPen, and used it -- like everyone else -- and stuck it into his thigh.". (I may earn a small commission on the products linked to in this post.). Do not inject into a muscle because it could cause the patient to go into shock. If epinephrine is accidentally injected into tiny locations such as the fingers and hands, blood vessels constrict at the site of injection. It does not store any personal data. 10.1001/archfami.3.2.193. A Florida woman woke her sister up by drunkenly stabbing her with an EpiPen Thursday night, then explained to police that she's "allergic to drunks," WBBH reports. You may even want to print out the instructions and keep them in a handy place (for example, fold it up and keep it with the epinephrine shot). Thankfully I havent had to use it Ive practiced a lot though. However, these devices are not without risk: myocardial infarction from injected epinephrine has been reported [1]. Feels kind of sore where the stab wound is. This however, is the worst-case scenario. ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Epipen can as a result of this increase in blood pressure cause quick heartbeat, and in the case that your heart is damaged or worsening cardiomegaly, this may lead to atrial flutter, which may lead to an atrial flutter which may lead to fibrillation that could collapse your heart. On this episode of ER or Not, Dr. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In summary, follow the steps below to administer an epinephrine auto-injector to yourself: Carefully remove the auto-injector from its clear carrier tube. Plast Reconstr Surg. In a hurry, Christina grabbed a syringe full of epinephrine and directed it to the patient's heart without looking. That is not because of the epinephrine, but because the allergic reaction probably requires further monitoring. Maybe theyve watched you practice using your Epi or maybe theyve seen the picture instructions on the box. You may repeat the injection every 5 to 10 minutes as needed. I have officially learned my lesson and will never do anything like this again. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall: Does Season of Birth Affect the Risk for Developing Allergies? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Yang ended up being a liability because she didn't take the time to think. If the epinephrine is injected by mistake into small areas such as fingers and hands, blood vessels will constrict at the site of injection. The practice pen that I had looked almost identical to the real thing. Hi there! Springer Nature. If you have sensitive skin, try using a less abrasive soap instead of hand sanitizer. This will help prevent your skin from drying out due to constant exposure to high levels of alcohol. An unintentional injection into the hands or feet might reduce blood supply to these tissues, potentially resulting in tissue death. Just how much does an EpiPen hurt? While reading the operating instructions, he attempted to launch the needle but erroneously placed his left thumb over the needle opening. Velissariou et al. Family Medicine 58 years experience. I looked down at the epipen itself and saw there was a needle. He's a bit younger than you so perhaps they weren't always that way. volume3, Articlenumber:7268 (2009) As of 2016, it was estimated that more than three million people in the US had a prescription for an epinephrine autoinjector; A medical student has gone viral by detailing the correct way to use an EpiPen - after watching a video of a clueless girl accidentally stabbing herself in the finger while trying to administer the medicine to a friend. Grip the barrel of the auto-injector in your dominant hand so the orange tip points downward. Sometimes they dont improve hours or days later. By using this website, you agree to our Forcefully push the epinephrine injector into the outer-upper portion of the thigh in a stabbing motion, and hold it there for 10 seconds. What if you make a strange mistake and accidently use the Epipen without needing it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Learn how we can help. Answer (1 of 6): It depends on where you inject. Wear gloves when working with hazardous materials to prevent contamination. Children weighing less than 30 kgDose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. What to do. I am 100% okay. When it comes to allergies everyone experiences different types of symptoms and Ive rarely had respiratory symptoms that affected my breathing. 8 What happens if I use an EpiPen and dont need it? He . Make sure you alert someone around you. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. do not scrub the wound while you're washing it. Self-administrated shots of epinephrine (often referred to by the brand name EpiPen or epinephrine pen) are life-saving devices which can halt an allergic reaction and give a patient time to get to a hospital. Because epinephrine has a powerful effect of making blood vessels contract, your finger may be at risk of not getting sufficient blood flow to survive. Most suicides approach the problem is a way to give themselves . Subcutaneous injection of terbutaline to reverse vasospasm has been reported once [7]. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Seek emergency medical attention even after you use EpiPen to treat a severe allergic reaction. There are a few situations that come to mind when answering this question. We report a physician who accidentally injected epinephrine into his thumb while handling an autoinjector, and the results of reviewing the literature. Pack the wound. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This is why I an paranoid when I take my humera tired. That is not because of the epinephrine, but because the allergic reaction probably requires further monitoring. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Unintentional injection of epinephrine into fingers or hands can cause limited blood flow and injury. There might even be a bit of a dark spot from the graphite underneath the skin. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Even if you do inject yourself, youll still need to get to an emergency room. Tell your doctor if your initial EpiPen injection resulted in a major adverse effect, such as trouble breathing or dangerously high blood pressure, before using it again (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure). It never hurts to refresh your memory on how to use your childs epinephrine shot. Open Access According to the EpiPens manufacturer labeling, after injection the pen should be held in place for three seconds then removed. Should I go to the hospital if I stabbed my hand? California Privacy Statement, Use a sterile material to dry the wound and immediately cover the wound with a waterproof plaster or dressing. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. old, shot himself with an epi-pen. )Aug 27, 2019. Swing and push the auto-injector firmly until it clicks. The click signals that the injection has started. If the wound was left open or if stitches were used, clean the wound daily: If surgical tape was used, keep the area clean and dry. Home care. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Symptoms of breathing problems, nausea or vomiting, itching, and swelling can come on quickly and become life-threatening. Even little electric shocks traumatize and cause discomfort in the body. I pulled the pen away right after injecting the medicine. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you are unsure when would be appropriate time to administer your EpiPen, please contact your allergist or the EpiPen prescriber. This is an Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( If bleeding occurs from the wound, cover with a gauze or towel and apply firm direct pressure without letting go for 5 full minutes by the clock. What happens if you use an EpiPen and dont go to the hospital? You should always be checked out at the ER after using your EpiPen. Whether you are new to food allergies and want to get to know our products, or you need help with a lifestyle change, for new ideas to . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Part of Seek immediate medical attention in the case of an accidental injection. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Arch Fam Med. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. A physician in a Family Practice training program accidentally injected epinephrine into his left thumb while reading the operating instructions of an autoinjector (Epipen). So I grabbed the Epi-pen from him and took a closer look. Epinephrine is adrenaline and a naturally occurring hormone in the body. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Mathez, C., Favrat, B. What to do if you accidentally stab yourself in the hand? This might reduce blood flow to the affected region. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. Hello, my name is Elaina and Im 16 years old. 2. A physician in a Family Practice training program accidentally injected epinephrine into his left thumb while reading the operating instructions of an autoinjector (Epipen). In preparation for this article, I tried to find data on the amount of Americans who currently have EpiPens a medical device used to self-inject an emergency dose of epinephrine to treat life . Treatment of severe anaphylaxis with epinephrine autoinjector devices such as Epipen (or Anapen) and Epipen Jr has been available since 1980. PubMed Formal training should be provided to all health professionals who prescribe or issue epinephrine autoinjectors. Terms and Conditions, 2 Why do they stab each other with EpiPens? Each EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector, 0.15 mg delivers a single dose of epinephrine. Place the orange tip on the thigh. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? If bleeding occurs from the wound, cover with a gauze or towel and apply firm direct pressure without letting go . Required fields are marked *. Epinephrine can kill you. It does not store any personal data. The chance of serious injury from an accidental injection increases if you're under age 10 or over 70.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'staminacomfort_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-staminacomfort_com-medrectangle-3-0'); In fact, research shows that people who accidentally inject themselves are about three times more likely to suffer a severe reaction than are adults who intentionally inject themselves. The boy complained of pain, numbness, and tingling. Never reuse needles/syringes that have been used for injecting insulin or other medications. The idea is "blue to the sky". Video: The life-saving skill EVERYONE should have: Medical student reveals exactly how to use an EpiPen - after watching viral video of a girl stabbing HERSELF while trying to help a sick friend How many of you carry epinephrine auto-injectors for your children? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I used to make jokes and wonder how someone could "accidentally" give themselves an epinephrine shot -- until it happened to us. If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. Enhance your breathing, quicken your heart, and raise blood pressure. 7). After 8 hours, the entire finger was pink and warm, either because of the decreasing effect of epinephrine after 90 minutes [2], or because of the delayed effect of the attempted treatment. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Im sure there are many more hypothetical situations but these are the few I could come up with. Stier PA, Bogner MP, Webster K, Leikin JB, Burda A: Use of subcutaneous terbutaline to reverse peripheral ischemia. There will always be the chance of unknowingly scarfing down pecan-laced strawberry pie at a family gathering (stab No. What does an EpiPen do to a healthy person? CM, PS and BF have made substantial contributions to conception, design, writing the manuscript and literature review. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. So I grabbed it, popped the lid off, and stabbed my outer thigh. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include temporary numbness or tingling, pain and swelling at the injection site, elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 10.1136/emj.2003.005462. If you were playing around and happened to inject into your thumb (I have seen that one), you might need to have some emergency treatment due to fracture of or impaling the distal phalanx and concern about vasoconstriction of vessels in the thumb. Please Introduce Yourself: 1, 888 : Travel: 1, 400 : Restaurants: 1, 210 : Recipes and Cooking: 826 . Neocate is a family of hypoallergenic, amino acid-based medical foods for use under medical supervision and is indicated for cow milk allergy, multiple food allergies and related GI and allergic conditions. Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Bugnon 44, 1011, Lausanne-CHUV, Switzerland, Christian Mathez,Bernard Favrat&Philippe Staeger, You can also search for this author in Dr. Alvin Lin answered. Hi Geraldine, Many people don't realize that after using the pen, you still must call 911 and get emergency medical attention, just in case you need back-up treatment. I was looking in some cabinets for neosporin when I came across my old epipens. If someone has symptoms of anaphylaxis:. Accidental injection, usually involving a finger, is a potential complication. Police . The students were thought to be given trainer versions of the EpiPens without any of the actual drug inside, but there was a mix-up in the case of May's son, WCVB reports. 1957, 163: 1477-1479. For instance if you were to stab yourself with a pencil, to prick yourself on a pin, or to fall onto a fork (I could do this all day) then the resultant wound would be a puncture. (Brands may instruct users to hold the pen in place for 3, 5 or 10 seconds. Is it easy to get an internship at Microsoft? Finally, make sure no one is stuck in any doorways or passages before you use the shock pen because you don't want to send a current through them too. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Even though they are labeled I still get worried and have to look closely. Call first to speak to a nurse or doctor then take their advice on whether you need to visit the medical office. 10.1016/0735-6757(90)90295-B. While injecting the epinephrine, count to ten. . Yet today, I managed to crack the backboard on my driveway . Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. use an adrenaline auto-injector if the person has one - but make sure you know how to use it correctly first; call 999 for an ambulance immediately (even if they start to feel better) - mention that you think the person has anaphylaxis Each EpiPen Auto-Injector contains 0.3 mL of a 1:1000 epinephrine solution for injection. The accidental action caused Alex's heart to stop. The book states that: "Ink: ball-point pens, felt-tip pens, and fountain pens contain so little ink that there is not enough to cause poisoning if it is sucked from a pen. Emerg Med J. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Ann Allergy. Ive mixed up my Epipen and trainer before but Ive always figured out which is which. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. After 20-30 minutes the blotchiness has faded and my leg felt a bit better. When to seek help You should always seek prompt medical attention if you cut yourself and observe any of the following: you cant stop the bleeding. Chris May's son and fellow students at . If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Medication Administration: When preparing to give meds to a patient: always look up any medication you are unfamiliar with (so that you know why you are giving the medication and so you will know possible s/s) Use only medications in a clearly labeled container. The epi-pen was expired, therefore, he thought the needle would not come out. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction, often to ordinary things like bee stings, peanut butter, or antibiotics. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. However, I was still feeling very energized. Immersion in warm water, application of topical nitroglycerin, and nerve blockade have been attempted without success, although Kaspersen et al. When I went to grab it to throw it out it opened and stabbed me in my palm right under my thumb. Warnings for Shock Pens Shock pens may be sold as harmless pranks, but they have the potential to cause injury. WALTHAM, Massachusetts -- Some scary moments unfolded after an 11-year-old accidentally stabbed himself with a real EpiPen during a health class lesson. An unintentional injection into the hands or feet might reduce blood supply to these tissues, potentially resulting in tissue death. He complained of pain and paresthesia in the thumb. Research shows that parents who receivehands-on training are better able to properly demonstrate how to use their childs epinephrine shot[4].
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