The consequences can be serious: avocado hand can result in damage to the muscles or tendons, and even the nerves in extreme cases. Required fields are marked *. What may seem like a simple cut can, in fact, be a deep stab laceration. Thanks for reading! PT comes in having stuck their thumb accidentally with an EpiPen while showing someone else how to use one. Use a sterile material to dry the wound and immediately cover the wound with a waterproof plaster or dressing. 3). There was full recovery 2 months after the accident. the wound is large or gaping and you cant gently push the edges together. May described his son as turning bright red in color, and said he was sweating profusely by the time he arrived at the hospital. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. I hope you dont have to use an Epipen and I hope you never use an Epipen without needing it. While injecting the epinephrine, count to ten. 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. Because an EpiPen is an auto-injector, the needle shoots out as soon as the cap is taken off, so if you squeeze or touch it, you may get the injection in your thumb instead, which causes the blood vessels to constrict, resulting in inadequate blood flow. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. J Emerg Med. In cases like that, a quick call to the doctor or a visit to an urgent care center might be a good idea, even if it's just for reassurance. This however, is the worst-case scenario. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. So we told him "Well, don't hit yourself so hard with it, honey!" and chuckled. Maybe theyve watched you practice using your Epi or maybe theyve seen the picture instructions on the box. How often does a Cessna require an engine overhaul? Of course, that was until I accidentally stabbed myself in the thumb with an Epipen needle. do not scrub the wound while you're washing it. 2004, 21: 387-388. 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. Ive also wondered what happens if you use an Epipen without needing it. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, 30 yr sufferer-most foods and environmental allergens. What happens if you give yourself epinephrine? CM, PS and BF have made substantial contributions to conception, design, writing the manuscript and literature review. Hypoglycemic episodes are most likely to occur between two and four hours after injecting insulin. 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 content you are trying to access is intended for healthcare professionals only. Mehr S, Robinson M, Tang M: Doctor - how do I use my EpiPen?. Almost immediately, I could tell something was off, not . 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. Epinephrine is adrenaline and a naturally occurring hormone in the body. This however, is the worst-case scenario. Either way, glad you're OK! No do not worry: Nothing will happen, just your heart may start beating faster for few minutes and than back to normal. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 10.1007/s11552-006-9012-4. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. [14] successfully used 1.5 mg of phentolamine (from a 10 mg/ml phentolamine mesylate ampoule) diluted in 1 ml of 2% lidocaine to treat such accidents. . The Bottom Line. CAS Philippe Staeger. In conclusion, epinephrine can be given through clothes but only if you know what you're doing. EpiPen has several resources to teach patients about the proper use of epinephrine shots. This however, is the worst-case scenario. You can also make a salt solution. 3. He's a bit younger than you so perhaps they weren't always that way. I recommend not being weird like me and deciding to stab yourself with your old practice epipen like me, because it might be the real one with a needle and not the practice one. If epinephrine is injected into small areas such as fingers and hands by mistake, blood vessels will constrict at the site of injection. 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! 3 What happens if you use an EpiPen and dont go to the hospital? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Yet today, I managed to crack the backboard on my driveway . You might think that would never happen, but it happens all the time and some people use their Epi a lot! Do you have to go to the hospital if you use an EpiPen? He developed swelling, pallor, and pain in the thumb. But what if you think you need it and you really dont. I was looking in some cabinets for neosporin when I came across my old epipens. I looked down at the epipen itself and saw there was a needle. If I start to feel nausea and my stomach hurts or I get rashes and a headache, should I use an epipen? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Answer (1 of 4): I just saw your comment that you stabbed yourself in the finger. Most people understand that an Epipen contains epinephrine. This may cause the real yellow EpiPen or real green EpiPen Jr auto-injector to accidentally activate. Introduction Epinephrine autoinjector devices are used with increasing frequency to treat severe anaphylactic reactions. Here are a few tips I recommend based on the storage instructions. Just how much does an EpiPen hurt? Many patients also need more than one dose of epinephrine or other emergency treatments. What happens if you accidentally take an EpiPen? An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. This however, is the worst-case scenario. If the epinephrine is injected by mistake into small areas such as fingers and hands, blood vessels will constrict at the site of injection. J Med Case Reports 3, 7268 (2009). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 | Dust Mite Solutions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Velissariou et al. She ended up stabbing Alex (Justin Chambers) with a syringe full of epinephrine, which caused him to collapse. What happens if you inject yourself with an EpiPen in your arm? This however, is the worst-case scenario. PubMedGoogle Scholar. If they aren't able to take it back, they can probably point you towards somewhere that you can bring it to for disposal. He specializes in orthopedic surgery, cancer treatment, and general surgical procedures. You may also consider using EpiPen while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. So I grabbed it, popped the lid off, and stabbed my outer thigh. 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. 2. Alain Pcoud is thanked for critically reviewing the manuscript. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. 1997, 14: 379-380. However, sometimes the symptoms get better and then start again a few hours later. PubMed Central The Epi Pen on the other hand has a sort of truncated flat ORANGE cone at the needle end, while the safety catch is the BLUE end. Place the orange tip on the thigh. If youre at home, a friends house, or at a party, make sure you tell someone that youve injected yourself with an Epipen. Should I go to the hospital if I stabbed my hand? What happens if you accidentally inject epinephrine into your thumb? All authors read and approved the final manuscript. This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Most suicides approach the problem is a way to give themselves . Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall: Does Season of Birth Affect the Risk for Developing Allergies? I hope for her sake it wears off soon like she hopes. 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. Forcefully push the epinephrine injector into the outer-upper portion of the thigh in a stabbing motion, and hold it there for 10 seconds. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? EpiPen or EpiPen Jr should only be injected into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg), through clothing if necessary. Hi Geraldine, Talk to your health provider to see if Neocate is right for you. The treatment consists of removing the needle from the device and replacing it with a new one. 1999, 17: 91-94. In this article, Ill share what to do if youve used an Epipen without needing it. A puncture wound is of course a wound that is caused by a direct puncture to the skin and often the below layers. 10.1001/archfami.3.2.193. Remove the device from your thigh . 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. Article Lock up your EpiPen in a safe location, so it is not available to children or others who might misuse it. Terms and Conditions, In the case of an emergency, you may not easily be able to let caregivers know if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. However, I was still feeling very energized. What happens if you accidentally get stabbed with an EpiPen? What happens if I accidentally stab myself with an epipen? Like many drugs, there might be side effects from epinephrine, such as anxiety, dizziness, and sweating, and swelling, pain, or changes in skin color at the injection site because of decreased blood flow to the area. No need to use antiseptics or disinfectants. WALTHAM, Massachusetts -- Some scary moments unfolded after an 11-year-old accidentally stabbed himself with a real EpiPen during a health class lesson. Contrary to popular belief, the EpiPen injection can be delivered through clothing. Zucker G: Use of phentolamine to prevent necrosis due to levarterenol. elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ive followed suit and do the same when I receive a new Epipen. Unintentional injection of epinephrine into fingers or hands can cause limited blood flow and injury. CJEM. Make sure to wash your hands after administering an epinephrine injection. Seek emergency medical treatment if this occurs. Doctors say that you should never wear clothes that conduct electricity because it's like wearing a fuse box under your shirt. How can you prevent yourself from sticking yourself with an EpiPen? 'HELP US!!' Avoid rubbing your face with dried out hands; this can lead to more problems down the road. Use an Auto-Injector only once, then throw away in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where . Mathez, C., Favrat, B. If you have sensitive skin, try using a less abrasive soap instead of hand sanitizer. In the emergency room, his thumb was cold and pale. The EpiPen injection, contrary to popular perception, may be administered through clothes. My allergist has plenty of trainers laying around the office and they use a permanent marker to write trainer on practice injectors. PubMed What happens if you use an EpiPen and dont go to the hospital? 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. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. He unintentionally injected the adrenaline into the tip of his thumb. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. Dr. Alvin Lin answered. According to the EpiPens manufacturer labeling, after injection the pen should be held in place for three seconds then removed. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Dust Mite Allergy And Chronic Cough (My Throat Was Irritated), Is Vaseline Good For Eczema (When To Use And Avoid). "Omigod, Darrel - this isn't the practice pen - this is a REAL Epi-pen!" I shouted. 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. Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Each EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector, 0.15 mg delivers a single dose of epinephrine. Symptoms of breathing problems, nausea or vomiting, itching, and swelling can come on quickly and become life-threatening. Always call 911 or go to the emergency room after using your EpiPen. 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. The Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters guidelines recommend that patients at risk carry two epipens at all times (or any auto injector). Velissariou I, Cottrell S, Berry K, Wilson B: Management of adrenaline (epinephrine) induced digital ischaemia in children after accidental injection from an EpiPen. 1 What happens if you accidentally take an EpiPen? Since epinephrine induces a vasoconstriction through an alpha adrenergic effect, the use of phentolamine seems logical. Is it bad to use hand sanitizer all the time? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 EpiPen pro tips. 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. Ive broken out in hives a few times and Ive wondered if I needed to use my Epipen. Once a year Ill get my new Epipen and practice with the trainer. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Just found an old Epipen in my car. Swing the pen back about 6 inches and firmly push it against their thigh . You hold it in the middle of your clenched fist . Hi Alice, Springer Nature. 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. What happens if you use an EpiPen and dont go to the hospital? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Accidental injection symptoms are typically mild and may include transient numbness or tingling. In a hurry, Christina grabbed a syringe full of epinephrine and directed it to the patient's heart without looking. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Phentolamine is used to control blood pressure during surgery for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, when the tumor releases catecholamines because of manipulation and the stress of surgery. We report a physician who accidentally injected epinephrine into his thumb while handling an autoinjector, and the results of reviewing the literature. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. You'll feel a rush of energy. It does not store any personal data. The effects may wear off after 10 or 20 minutes. What happens if you stick yourself with an EpiPen accidentally? The charge on your body will move through any water that comes into contact with it, allowing you to get shocked without being close to a person.