Am J Emerg Med. Epi pens can have side effects. 1990, 8: 46-47. Grip the barrel of the auto-injector in your dominant hand so the orange tip points downward. Vascular surgeons, anesthetists, and a hand specialist were contacted by the treating general internist. (Needless to say I dumped that dose and got a fresh syringe for the cat :lol: :lol: ) What does an EpiPen do to a healthy person? Management options for accidental injection of epinephrine from an autoinjector: a case report, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. 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. All are serious errors that can delay or prevent getting someone the epinephrine necessary to stop a reaction. Unintentional injection of epinephrine can easily occur when handling epinephrine auto-injectors. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The consequences can be serious: avocado hand can result in damage to the muscles or tendons, and even the nerves in extreme cases. Plast Reconstr Surg. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. A mix-up during health class left a 11-year-old boy in a Massachusetts hospital after he accidentally stabbed himself with a real EpiPen. I recently accidentally stabbed myself in the leg with my old and expired epipen. This however, is the worst-case scenario. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 11% of children weighing 15 to 30 kg showed a risk of intraosseous injection (hitting the bone) with EpiPen Jr or Auvi-Q 0,15 mg; and 38% of children with Jext 0,15 mg. EpiPen or EpiPen Jr should only be injected into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg), through clothing if necessary. Again, hold the thing in your clenched fist, fingers and thumbs away from either end. Denkler K: A comprehensive review of epinephrine in the finger: to do or not to do. You hold it in the middle of your clenched fist . You should always be checked out at the ER after using your EpiPen. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When it comes to allergies everyone experiences different types of symptoms and Ive rarely had respiratory symptoms that affected my breathing. A regimen for management of accidental epinephrine injection, in particular the use of phentolamine, should be emphasized. What I stabbed myself with. Philippe Staeger. 1999, 1: 34-36. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". California Privacy Statement, However, I was still feeling very energized. Exapno_Mapcase April 19, 2008, 9:02pm #5. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 1 What happens if you accidentally take an EpiPen? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. You might feel anxious. i accidentally stabbed myself with my epipen - YouTube The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Florida woman accused of drunkenly stabbing sister with EpiPen, says Always wear protective gear when giving injections, and never give an injection in the back of the neck or anywhere near the heart. If they aren't able to take it back, they can probably point you towards somewhere that you can bring it to for disposal. You should take special care not to walk through puddles of water when out of doors, otherwise you might get hurt from the electrical current flowing through the ground. Am J Emerg Med. Call them and ask before you go down there. If the finger is looking white, this would warrant going to an . The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Even though they are labeled I still get worried and have to look closely. If your heart is weak and you get a big enough flood of natural adrenaline, you can faint, or get a heart arrhythmia, a heart attack, or a stroke. What to do if you accidentally stab yourself in the hand? Just how much does an EpiPen hurt? What happens if you get stabbed with a pen? - Wise-Answer I decided to try the practice one I knew was in the case. Why you should go to the emergency room after using the EpiPen. Research shows that parents who receivehands-on training are better able to properly demonstrate how to use their childs epinephrine shot[4]. Can you get lead poisond from stabbing yourself w/ a - HealthTap What happens if you inject an EpiPen without needing it? She, at that point, thought I had found something wrong with my newly dyed hair. Most accidental injections (an estimated 94%) occur when a patient or someone trying to help them accidentally jabs their finger or thumb[2]. McGovern SJ: Treatment of accidental digital injection of adrenaline from an auto-injector device. It's best to contact your healthcare provider right away after an accidental injection. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 10.1097/00006534-200107000-00017. This may cause the real yellow EpiPen or real green EpiPen Jr auto-injector to accidentally activate. What happens if you get stuck with an EpiPen and dont need it? I have a nut allergy. In the process, she stabbed Alex's hand and injected him with the drug. Dp says this is just to be expected but I'm worried I've damaged the circulation or something. Topical nitroglycerin, oral vasodilators, and immersion in warm water were attempted unsuccessfully. Zucker first described phentolamine as useful to prevent necrosis due to levarterenol [8] and Jordan first showed the effectiveness of this drug for accidental epinephrine injection [9]. Swing the pen back about 6 inches and firmly push it against their thigh . Learn how we can help. Luckily I had 2. This Med Student Went Viral For Showing How To Properly Use An EpiPen This will help prevent your skin from drying out due to constant exposure to high levels of alcohol. Remove the device from your thigh . Your email address will not be published. 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. What happens if you accidentally take an EpiPen? You will need to receive further treatment and observation. Thus far Ive been lucky. However, this is the worst-case situation. I stabbed myself with an Epipen. - Medium 1. Maguire WM, Reisdorff EJ, Smith D, Wiegenstein JG: Epinephrine-induced vasospasm reversed by phentolamine digital block. For those of you who don't know, an Epipen is a crazy large needle carried by people with food allergies in the event they eat a peanut or something. Have you ever had to deal with an accidental epinephrine injection? 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. Why did a physician put his thumb over the EpiPen? stabbing yourself with an Epipen | The Nervous Breakdown You should seek emergency medical help immediately you use the injection. How long does it take for epinephrine to wear off? The thought of using an Epipen can be disconcerting however if you have a horrible allergic reaction you might be more than happy to use it! Medical student reveals exactly how to use an EpiPen We are planning to do this with a bunch at our next family gathering so anyone who might be around our son can have some practice. The big problem is that it is psychologically difficult to stab yourself with the strength and follow-through that are necessary to drive the blade in all the way. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. Symptoms of breathing problems, nausea or vomiting, itching, and swelling can come on quickly and become life-threatening. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. 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. Each EpiPen Auto-Injector contains 0.3 mL of a 1:1000 epinephrine solution for injection. Reduced blood flow implies less oxygen reaching the tissue. A commonplace for discussion, news, advice and questions with fellow sufferers. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Little electric shocks can cause injury or disease if you come into contact with them directly. Anyone who unintentionally injects himself or herself with insulin could experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) symptoms such as nervousness, shakiness, headache, and fatigue. Like other injections that go into the muscle (e.g. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. He specializes in orthopedic surgery, cancer treatment, and general surgical procedures. His blood pressure was 175/85 mmHg, heart rate 80/minute, and respiratory rate 16/minute. Formal training should be provided to all health professionals who prescribe or issue epinephrine autoinjectors. Then theres a deep ache as the medicine is released into the muscle. Hand sanitizer overuse can cause dry, cracked skin, as well as redness, discolouration, and flaking. An unintentional injection into the hands or feet might reduce blood supply to these tissues, potentially resulting in tissue death. First of all, the thought of using an Epipen is scary enough. This however, is the worst-case scenario. Epi-Pen Accident - Peanut Allergy Cite this article. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? 2004, 21: 387-388. Our pediatrician recommended stabbing old expired epi pens into an orange - apparently its a similar feel to actually using one in the leg and its good practice if youve luckily never had to fire one off. How can you prevent yourself from sticking yourself with an EpiPen? If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. You can also make a salt solution. If you are giving an injection to someone else, such as a child, ensure that you follow proper safety procedures. According to the EpiPens manufacturer labeling, after injection the pen should be held in place for three seconds then removed. 5 Should you go to ER after using EpiPen? It can be given while wearing pants. Mathez, C., Favrat, B. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Almost immediately, I could tell something was off, not because it hurt but because it felt different than normal. do not scrub the wound while you're washing it. Some doctors may want to see you to ensure youre alright. You'll feel a rush of energy. Most suicides approach the problem is a way to give themselves . 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. The drug wasn't supposed to be inside of the EpiPen an 11-year-old boy stabbed himself with during health class. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative. It was funny cause he has ADHD and it actually made him act kinda stoned for a bit. But its important for patients and caregivers to know how to properly work an automatic epinephrine shot. 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. Article 10 How do you know if an EpiPen has worked? Do not inject into a muscle because it could cause the patient to go into shock. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. It does not store any personal data. spstarke. What happens if I use an EpiPen and dont need it? Plast Reconstr Surg. 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. Which is a uniquely modern human Homo sapiens trait? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However, this is the worst-case situation. It says it expired in 2007. If you or someone in your family injects an Epipen without needing it,make sure you understand how it will make you feel and the potential adverse effects. Only once with the lancet, but more than a couple of times with the syringe after a shot--just the other day I dropped a loaded syringe as I took it out of the vial and it hit me in the thigh on the way down stung like a ***** but no ill effects. This however, is the worst-case scenario. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. I only received a third of a junior dose. Ive mixed up my Epipen and trainer before but Ive always figured out which is which. Ive followed suit and do the same when I receive a new Epipen. 29/07/2008 23:27. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Epinephrine acts quickly to improve breathing, stimulate the heart, raise a dropping blood pressure, reverse hives, and reduce swelling of the face, lips, and throat. What happens if I use an EpiPen and dont need it? Although no case of digital loss because of an accidental injection of epinephrine has been reported [4], the risk of severe pain and even necrosis due to severe local vasoconstriction is real, so developing formal treatment [5] guidelines is paramount. 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. You will need to receive further treatment and observation. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. 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. He accidentally discharged the contents of the spring-loaded syringe into his thumb; and the needle was twisted into the distal tip of his finger.