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. 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. Flush splashes of blood and needle contents on other parts of your body with water. Treatment of severe anaphylaxis with epinephrine autoinjector devices such as Epipen (or Anapen) and Epipen Jr has been available since 1980. Its always better for someone to help monitor your behavior and call for help if needed. 2 What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? I am allergic to bees so I've always had epipens. Home care. 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. Either way, glad you're OK! Case 1: A 15-year-old boy found an EpiPen on a bus. If you don't follow correct procedure, you could end up hurting the person who needs the medication. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. This is important to know if you normally have high blood pressure, Cupboard/First Aid Kit Away From Children And Pets, Away From Sun (in the dark) But Not Refrigerated, You might feel antsy for a few hours afterward. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This however, is the worst-case scenario. So I grabbed it, popped the lid off, and stabbed my outer thigh. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Keep your hand and fingers away from the needle end. Kaspersen J, Vedsted P: [Accidental injection of adrenaline in a finger with EpiPen]. 1 What happens if you stab your finger with an EpiPen? Follow the instructions to remove the safety cap (s). 1999, 1: 34-36. His blood pressure was 175/85 mmHg, heart rate 80/minute, and respiratory rate 16/minute. Philippe Staeger. Then theres a deep ache as the medicine is released into the muscle. What is the difference between an Australian citizen and an Australian permanent resident? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What if you make a strange mistake and accidently use the Epipen without needing it. I only received a third of a junior dose. However, the surgery proved it was Jackson after Cristina messed up. Hinterberger JW, Kintzi HE: Phentolamine reversal of epinephrine-induced digital vasospasm. 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. I used to make jokes and wonder how someone could "accidentally" give themselves an epinephrine shot -- until it happened to us. Once a year Ill get my new Epipen and practice with the trainer. Chris May's son and fellow students at McDevitt Middle School were learning how the device would work for someone having an allergic reaction. Only use the EpiPen injector provided by your doctor's office! Then you can just throw the case away. I decided to try the practice one I knew was in the case. "Omigod, Darrel - this isn't the practice pen - this is a REAL Epi-pen!" I shouted. Always call 911 or go to the emergency room after using your EpiPen. I havent had to use mine, however, I still carry around the expensive auto-injector. 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. Indirect contact with an electric field generated by a shock pen may also be harmful. Call first to speak to a nurse or doctor then take their advice on whether you need to visit the medical office. Hold firmly in place for 3 seconds (count slowly 1, 2, 3). There are a few situations that come to mind when answering this question. :). I looked down at the epipen itself and saw there was a needle. A regimen for management of accidental epinephrine injection, in particular the use of phentolamine, should be emphasized. 2007, 18: 448-452. What does an EpiPen do to a healthy person? McGovern SJ: Treatment of accidental digital injection of adrenaline from an auto-injector device. Case presentation A physician in a Family Practice training program accidentally injected epinephrine into his left thumb while reading the operating instructions of an autoinjector (Epipen). Springer Nature. 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. (Brands may instruct users to hold the pen in place for 3, 5 or 10 seconds. But holding it for 10 seconds is appropriate in all cases, and it may easier to remember. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. In any case, you should always seek medical assistance if you accidentally inject yourself; it's better to be safe than sorry! What to do. Little electric shocks can cause injury or disease if you come into contact with them directly. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. Full recovery was noted at a 2-month follow-up exam. In the emergency room, his thumb was cold and pale. If they aren't able to take it back, they can probably point you towards somewhere that you can bring it to for disposal. Cookies policy. For children and adults who experience anaphylaxis, an epinephrine shot is a matter of life or death. While reading the operating instructions, he attempted to launch the needle but erroneously placed his left thumb over the needle opening. Place the orange tip against the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg) at a right angle (perpendicular) to the thigh. It does not store any personal data. B12 injections or vaccinations), theres a sharp sting as the needle punctures the skin. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. At the ER they usually only watch you for safety purposes and since I didnt need the ER my mom stayed up until 1am with me to make sure I was safe. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As someone whos had serious allergies for a long time, Ive always wondered when I might have to use my Epipen. My brother did something similar in middle school cause for some reason he though my epipen was the case for the thermometer. What happens to atoms during chemical reaction? People who accidentally shoot themselves in the leg will usually be able to walk away from it. This however, is the worst-case scenario. 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. I was looking in some cabinets for neosporin when I came across my old epipens. CAS If the finger is looking white, this would warrant going to an . 7). Isn't the practice pen visually quite different? 'HELP US!!' Introduction Epinephrine autoinjector devices are used with increasing frequency to treat severe anaphylactic reactions. Next, aim for the middle of the outer thigh, holding it at a right angle to the thigh. The entire digit was cool and pale, and a prolonged capillary refill time was seen at more than 10 s (Figure 1). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Kids are observant. Ive also practiced using the Epipen in the doctors office (the trainer). Press J to jump to the feed. Topical nitroglycerin, oral vasodilators, and immersion in warm water were attempted unsuccessfully. My allergist has plenty of trainers laying around the office and they use a permanent marker to write trainer on practice injectors. Pack the wound. J Am Med Assoc. I had began to feel very energized and had slight pain on my outer thigh. Ive also wondered what happens if you use an Epipen without needing it. It can be administered while wearing pants. Just how much does an EpiPen hurt? Almost immediately, I could tell something was off, not . If you are looking for additional tips on epinephrine at school, we have several additional blog posts you might enjoy: Your email address will not be published. What happens if you accidentally get stabbed with an EpiPen? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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! By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. You should seek emergency medical help immediately you use the injection. If left untreated, low blood glucose levels may lead to seizure or coma. What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? Your automatic instinct is to flinch or hold back to spare yourself the pain. In the event of an unintentional injection, seek medical care right away. PubMedGoogle Scholar. At Dust Mite Solutions we try to answer the most important questions you have about allergies. Hypoglycemic episodes are most likely to occur between two and four hours after injecting insulin. He's a bit younger than you so perhaps they weren't always that way. Fitzcharles-Bowe C, Denkler K, Lalonde D: Finger injection with high-dose (1:1,000) epinephrine: does it cause finger necrosis and should it be treated?. The symptoms can rebound, returning hours or even days after you get an epinephrine injection. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. Answer (1 of 4): I just saw your comment that you stabbed yourself in the finger. Most cases of anaphylaxis happen quickly and fully resolve after theyre treated. He complained of pain and paresthesia in the thumb. 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. 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. Very glad to hear that you were there to help, and that you had a backup injector! 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2007.00529.x. Although hand sanitizer has been shown to be effective in killing germs, its usage might have unintended consequences. Then I suddenly registered that - wait a second - that doesn't look right. What happens if you use an EpiPen and dont go to the hospital? 1990, 8: 46-47. (I may earn a small commission on the products linked to in this post.). "I was racing 90 miles per hour from my office in Hingham, because I didn't know what was going to happen to my son," May said. 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]. Or just take reactants. What happens if I accidentally stab myself with an epipen? Immediate effects are: Local Vasoconstriction Loss of circulation/ adequate perfusion with a cap refill >4 seconds. 1 What happens if I accidentally stab myself with an epipen? Am J Emerg Med. He developed swelling, pallor, and pain in the thumb. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Place the orange tip on the thigh. If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. Peripheral perfusion is restored usually in less than 5 minutes. If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. A physician in a Family Practice training program accidentally injected epinephrine into his left thumb while reading the operating instructions of an autoinjector (Epipen). Implicit in epinephrine autoinjector prescriptions is that physicians and pharmacists are confident that the patient or a relative can adequately use the device, and that the patient is aware of the potential dangers of incorrect administration. Not much medicine if any got into his leg. I first got my epipen back in 2006 and it was the same ones that I had at my house. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Symptoms of breathing problems, nausea or vomiting, itching, and swelling can come on quickly and become life-threatening. Yikes! What happens when a deep water wave approaches the shore? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Again, hold the thing in your clenched fist, fingers and thumbs away from either end. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. This is called "indoor electrostatic discharge" (ESD). The reason: Children and older adults tend to share needles, which leads to infections that can cause serious heart problems if not treated immediately. I decided to try the practice one I knew was in the case. elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. 5 What happens if you get stuck with an EpiPen and dont need it? Keep all medications in a safe place where children cannot reach them. 2007, 2: 5-11. If you pierce or puncture your skin with a used needle, follow this first aid advice immediately: encourage the wound to bleed, ideally by holding it under running water. Why you should go to the emergency room after using the EpiPen. CM, PS and BF have made substantial contributions to conception, design, writing the manuscript and literature review. (Brands may instruct users to hold the pen in place for 3, 5 or 10 seconds. If you are giving an injection to someone else, such as a child, ensure that you follow proper safety procedures. This however, is the worst-case scenario. Such wounds will generally . Copyright 2020 - 2023 Stamina Comfort Inc. What happens if you take an EpiPen without needing it? What happens if you stab a nerve in your hand? An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. 2 What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? For example, wear protective clothing when giving injections, use a sharps container to dispose of needles, and learn how to recognize signs of allergy attack (breathing problems, swelling of the face). He developed swelling, pallor, and pain in the thumb. 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! Use your EpiPen at the first sign of anaphylaxis. So basically, as your throat is closing from the allergic reaction, you're supposed to take the . Once injected epinephrine will: According to instructions, you should inject yourself in the upper thigh, however, mistakes are made. Terms and Conditions, Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. Why did a physician put his thumb over the EpiPen? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Emerg Med J. In conclusion, epinephrine can be given through clothes but only if you know what you're doing. In the event of accidental injection, you should always seek medical attention. Hi Geraldine, While injecting the epinephrine, count to ten. Up to 16% of tested doctors who read the instructions on the Epipen device self-injected the Epipen trainer into their thumb. Forcefully push the epinephrine injector into the outer-upper portion of the thigh in a stabbing motion, and hold it there for 10 seconds. Its not pleasant to think about. Some inks may cause soreness in the mouth. Theyre used via a stab to the thigh, so that the drugs can get to work ASAP. If someone has symptoms of anaphylaxis:. 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. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction, often to ordinary things like bee stings, peanut butter, or antibiotics. I think that the tester should be much more clearly marked, we had someone at work who was trying to show us how to help her in case of emergency and she accidentally used the tester and accidentally injected herself with the live pen. Chris May's son and fellow students at . 3 Does it matter where you stick an EpiPen? How can you prevent yourself from sticking yourself with an EpiPen? What happens if you accidentally inject epinephrine into your thumb? Vascular surgeons, anesthetists, and a hand specialist were contacted by the treating general internist. do not scrub the wound while you're washing it. All I want is to get through my day without screwing something up. Even though they are labeled I still get worried and have to look closely. Thus far Ive been lucky. An unintentional injection into the hands or feet might reduce blood supply to these tissues, potentially resulting in tissue death. 2023 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Learn how we can help. Access to medical databases through new technologies is essential. 10.1016/0735-6757(90)90295-B. (Needless to say I dumped that dose and got a fresh syringe for the cat :lol: :lol: ) EpiPen pro tips. the cut is deep or exposes subcutaneous tissue. In the case of a deep cut to the palm, the ulnar nerve may be injured and result in paralysis of the intrinsic muscles to the hand. Swing the pen back about 6 inches and firmly push it against their thigh . 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. After 20-30 minutes the blotchiness has faded and my leg felt a bit better. Have you ever had to deal with an accidental epinephrine injection? Subcutaneous injection of terbutaline to reverse vasospasm has been reported once [7]. What do you do if you accidentally inject yourself with an EpiPen? If you handle electric shock devices without thinking about what you're doing, you could be risking serious injury. All are serious errors that can delay or prevent getting someone the epinephrine necessary to stop a reaction. 9 What happens if you accidentally inject epinephrine into your thumb? 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). Symptoms of an unintentional injection are typically mild and may include: Injecting an EpiPen accidentally into your hands or feet may result in a lack of blood supply to those areas, resulting in numbness. How long does it take for epinephrine to wear off? I ended up stabbing myself (accidentally) in the soft fleshy pad of my thumb, about 1" from the end. A regimen of management of accidental epinephrine injection emphasizing the use of phentolamine should be instigated. 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. I called my moms best friend who is an ER nurse and she said as long as thats the only symptoms I have and I dont feel any different I would be okay. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. What are the symptoms of an accidental epinephrine injection? I am 100% okay. The boy, who has no allergies, was put on an EKG after he began experiencing a rapid heart rate. What happens if I accidentally stab myself with an epipen? Ive carried it around for years, just in case something were to happen. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Burkhart KK: The reversal of the ischemic effects of epinephrine on a finger with local injections of phentolamine. Stier PA, Bogner MP, Webster K, Leikin JB, Burda A: Use of subcutaneous terbutaline to reverse peripheral ischemia. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hello, my name is Elaina and Im 16 years old. Call them and ask before you go down there. 2004, 21: 387-388. 5 Should you go to ER after using EpiPen? Part of Cite this article. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. Warnings for Shock Pens Shock pens may be sold as harmless pranks, but they have the potential to cause injury. The effects may wear off after 10 or 20 minutes. Ive mixed up my Epipen and trainer before but Ive always figured out which is which. 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. However, these devices are not without risk: myocardial infarction from injected epinephrine has been reported [1]. Dr. Hansen has worked in hospitals for over 20 years and is a highly respected surgeon. It's also a good idea to flush out your . But its important for patients and caregivers to know how to properly work an automatic epinephrine shot. Accidental injection, usually involving a finger, is a potential complication. Immersion in warm water, application of topical nitroglycerin, and nerve blockade have been attempted without success, although Kaspersen et al. 2. 1957, 163: 1477-1479. The rate of accidental injection of epinephrine from autoinjectors has increased worldwide. Puncture Wound Care. Ann Allergy. WALTHAM, Massachusetts -- Some scary moments unfolded after an 11-year-old accidentally stabbed himself with a real EpiPen during a health class lesson. Help. If your Epipen was used by you or a family member on accident make sure its stored in the correct place. 1 What happens if you accidentally get stabbed with an EpiPen? 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. My son's have always been. 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. Do you have to go to the hospital if you use an EpiPen? Accidentally injecting EpiPen into your hands or feet may result in a loss of blood flow to those areas, and resulting numbness. The injection sight was sore, blotchy, and slightly numb. It will also reduce swelling of the face and respiratory system. When I stabbed my thigh with the black tip one I guess I got the colors mixed up and thought the black tipped pen was the practice one. Five years later at sleep-away camp in New Hampshire, it was . Once injected epinephrine will: Enhance your breathing, quicken your heart, and raise blood pressure. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. If youre at home, a friends house, or at a party, make sure you tell someone that youve injected yourself with an Epipen. May described his son as turning bright red in color, and said he was sweating profusely by the time he arrived at the hospital. In the process, she stabbed Alex's hand and injected him with the drug. 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. 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. 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. It's gone a kind of pale bluish white colour, feels quite numb and cold. Others have used local infiltration of accidental epinephrine injection sites successfully [10]-[14]. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your email address will not be published. Reduced blood flow implies less oxygen reaching the tissue. You can also make a salt solution. Google Scholar. Avocado hand occurs when a person tries to remove the pit in a dangerous manner, such as with a knife, and ends up cutting themselves. do not suck the wound. 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 Privacy 1997, 14: 379-380. 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. However, you don't want to be washing your hands with them constantly because the concentration decreases rapidly with time. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WALTHAM, Massachusetts -- Some scary moments unfolded after an 11-year-old accidentally stabbed himself with a real EpiPen during a health class lesson. If I did have trouble breathing, felt my mouth/throat swelling, or felt an abnormal amount of warmness due to allergy exposure Id absolutely use my Epipen but sometimes its hard to gauge how serious the symptoms are. What is the difference between EpiPen doses? Large amounts of ink swallowed from a bottle could be irritant, but serious poisoning has not been reported.". A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal. I have accidentally taken a shot from my EpiPen, I thought it was a used one and was getting rid of my old ones, I do suffer with a Heart Condition, Diabetes, Had two Pulmonary Embolisms, Two Brain Aneurysms and Brain Surgeries, Other Surgeries too many to mention and the list goes on. In the case of an emergency, you may not easily be able to let caregivers know if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Glad you are okay! PubMed Many patients also need more than one dose of epinephrine or other emergency treatments. The effects of epinephrine may wear off after 10 or 20 minutes. On the other hand, i think it's more likely to develop an . A 31-year-old physician in a Family Practice training program at an academic primary care center was handling an Epipen because he wanted to be familiar with it before prescribing it. Greene AK: Management of epinephrine injection injury to the digit. Correspondence to Hand X-ray did not show a fracture of the distal phalanx. 4 What if I use an EpiPen and dont need it? If I start to feel nausea and my stomach hurts or I get rashes and a headache, should I use an epipen? Even little electric shocks traumatize and cause discomfort in the body. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Just found an old Epipen in my car. The child is fine now, but questions remain how this troubling incident could have happened. 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. What does a blood sugar level of 1000 mean? Many pharmacies aren't licenced to take back medications for disposal. The drug wasn't supposed to be inside of the EpiPen an 11-year-old boy stabbed himself with during health class. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The Bottom Line. Dispose of any used needles/syringes in a safe manner. . Over the years, I've gotten a lot better at wielding an EpiPen. We report a physician who accidentally injected epinephrine into his thumb while handling an autoinjector, and the results of reviewing the literature. 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. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. The only symptoms I experienced was: shock realizing what I had done, energy that lasted a few hours, slight shaking, some pain at the injection sight, and slight numbing of my leg. I recently accidentally stabbed myself in the leg with my old and expired epipen. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. California Privacy Statement, But if you do this article can help make sure you know what to do. Seek emergency medical treatment if this occurs. We reviewed the treatment of accidental epinephrine injection, and found that the use of parenteral adrenergic alpha blocker phentolamine would have produced immediate recovery.