In this article, Ill share what to do if youve used an Epipen without needing it. Over the years, I've gotten a lot better at wielding an EpiPen. Thanks for reading! The rate of accidental injection of epinephrine from autoinjectors has increased worldwide. Most suicides approach the problem is a way to give themselves . The most common injury related to self-injection is pain at the injection site. Maguire WM, Reisdorff EJ, Smith D, Wiegenstein JG: Epinephrine-induced vasospasm reversed by phentolamine digital block. Many pharmacies aren't licenced to take back medications for disposal. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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! An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. You hold it in the middle of your clenched fist . Young people are also more likely to have their fingers near the injection site when they use drugs intramuscularly (in their muscles). 10.1001/archfami.3.2.193. 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. Kaspersen J, Vedsted P: [Accidental injection of adrenaline in a finger with EpiPen]. Help. Case Series: A care provider accidentally administers an Epipen containing 300ug to thier own thumb/ digit whilst trying to figure out how to administer to a patient. The effects of epinephrine may wear off after 10 or 20 minutes. CAS It can be administered while wearing pants. The tester should look altogether different from the actual pen with a vivid color or other markings. Yang ended up being a liability because she didn't take the time to think. A physician in a Family Practice training program accidentally injected epinephrine into his left thumb while reading the operating instructions of an autoinjector (Epipen). 1999, 17: 91-94. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 2023 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. Seek emergency medical attention even after you use EpiPen to treat a severe allergic reaction. 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. 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. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. What to do if you accidentally stab yourself in the hand? 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). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What to do if you accidentally stab yourself in the hand? Learn how we can help. 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 happens if you stab someone with an EpiPen? Privacy 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 . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. It does not store any personal data. This event also highlights the importance for all doctors to gain quick access to information in the case of unusual presentation. 1990, 8: 46-47. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. The greatest risk of an accidental or an incorrect injection is that injecting the epinephrine elsewhere can delay or impair the effectiveness during a time-critical emergency. Isn't the practice pen visually quite different? For about ten seconds. It's just that there isn't that much lead in the pencil lead, if any (see wikipedia entry below). What experience do you need to become a teacher? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. PubMed This however, is the worst-case scenario. (Brands may instruct users to hold the pen in place for 3, 5 or 10 seconds. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Hold firmly in place for 3 seconds (count slowly 1, 2, 3). Talk with your doctor about how you can best control symptoms of your illness. 3 Does it matter where you stick an EpiPen? I then did the only thing I could think of and yelled for my mom who was in the living room. The treatment consists of removing the needle from the device and replacing it with a new one. Since epinephrine induces a vasoconstriction through an alpha adrenergic effect, the use of phentolamine seems logical. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. This is called "indoor electrostatic discharge" (ESD). Saff R, Nahhas A, Fink JN: Myocardial infarction induced by coronary vasospasm after self-administration of epinephrine. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Have you ever had to deal with an accidental epinephrine injection? You should always be checked out at the ER after using your EpiPen. 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! Place the orange tip against the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg) at a right angle (perpendicular) to the thigh. Patients who have an acute allergic reaction can immediately inject epinephrine with them, reversing peripheral vasodilation, edema, constriction of the airways, and myocardial depression. 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. WALTHAM, Massachusetts -- Some scary moments unfolded after an 11-year-old accidentally stabbed himself with a real EpiPen during a health class lesson. Chris May's son and fellow students at McDevitt Middle School were learning how the device would work for someone having an allergic reaction. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Teaching your child about social distancing. Call first to speak to a nurse or doctor then take their advice on whether you need to visit the medical office. Accidental Injections of Epinephrine (EpiPen). This however, is the worst-case scenario. 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. Elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. Make sure to wash your hands after administering an epinephrine injection. How often does a Cessna require an engine overhaul? Place the orange tip on the thigh. What is the difference between an Australian citizen and an Australian permanent resident? Whenever I practice using my Epipen I make sure Im using the correct injector. In conclusion, epinephrine can be given through clothes but only if you know what you're doing. Dr. Yash Khanna answered. 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. Flush splashes of blood and needle contents on other parts of your body with water. If bleeding occurs from the wound, cover with a gauze or towel and apply firm direct pressure without letting go . Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. Research shows that parents who receivehands-on training are better able to properly demonstrate how to use their childs epinephrine shot[4]. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This however, is the worst-case scenario. This could lead to a heart attack. Cite this article. Emerg Med J. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. Why do they stab each other with EpiPens? Which is a uniquely modern human Homo sapiens trait? The EpiPen injection, contrary to popular perception, may be administered through clothes. Not much medicine if any got into his leg. Article 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. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. Understandably, epinephrine will have a great effect on a small child than a grown adult and this can be scary. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Im sure there are many more hypothetical situations but these are the few I could come up with. Always call 911 or go to the emergency room after using your EpiPen. If you handle electric shock devices without thinking about what you're doing, you could be risking serious injury. If you are unsure when would be appropriate time to administer your EpiPen, please contact your allergist or the EpiPen prescriber. 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. Although hand sanitizer has been shown to be effective in killing germs, its usage might have unintended consequences. )Aug 27, 2019. & Staeger, P. Management options for accidental injection of epinephrine from an autoinjector: a case report. CAS These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Does it matter where you stick an EpiPen? However, these devices are not without risk: myocardial infarction from injected epinephrine has been reported [1]. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I decided to try the practice one I knew was in the case. As soon as he noticed the needle in his leg he pulled it out. Hypoglycemic episodes are most likely to occur between two and four hours after injecting insulin. I am 100% okay. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. PubMed What are various methods available for deploying a Windows application? Most accidental injections (an estimated 94%) occur when a patient or someone trying to help them accidentally jabs their finger or thumb[2]. He's a bit younger than you so perhaps they weren't always that way. Why you should go to the emergency room after using the EpiPen. Others have used local infiltration of accidental epinephrine injection sites successfully [10]-[14]. If you don't follow correct procedure, you could end up hurting the person who needs the medication. 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-threatening allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis and the closest number I could find was in a 2016 Wall Street Journal article that estimated prescriptions to be around 3.6 million nationwide. But its important for patients and caregivers to know how to properly work an automatic epinephrine shot. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2007.00529.x. Hinterberger JW, Kintzi HE: Phentolamine reversal of epinephrine-induced digital vasospasm. Immersion in warm water, application of topical nitroglycerin, and nerve blockade have been attempted without success, although Kaspersen et al. Dr. Hansen has worked in hospitals for over 20 years and is a highly respected surgeon. [4] 4. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The effects may wear off after 10 or 20 minutes. He . It's been about 15 minutes. I ended up stabbing myself (accidentally) in the soft fleshy pad of my thumb, about 1" from the end. It's painful so I cant type that much. Hi there! 2 What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? However, you don't want to be washing your hands with them constantly because the concentration decreases rapidly with time. While reading the operating instructions, he attempted to launch the needle but erroneously placed his left thumb over the needle opening. Indirect contact with an electric field generated by a shock pen may also be harmful. 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. 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. My brother did something similar in middle school cause for some reason he though my epipen was the case for the thermometer. However, sometimes the symptoms get better and then start again a few hours later. What happens if I use an EpiPen and dont need it? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Ive also practiced using the Epipen in the doctors office (the trainer). How much does it cost to build a house 450 sq ft? Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. McGovern SJ: Treatment of accidental digital injection of adrenaline from an auto-injector device. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall: Does Season of Birth Affect the Risk for Developing Allergies? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. They will advise you on next steps to ensure your safety. Like other injections that go into the muscle (e.g. In order for epinephrine to work properly, it must be injected into the thigh muscle. Contrary to popular belief, the EpiPen injection can be delivered through clothing. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Exapno_Mapcase April 19, 2008, 9:02pm #5. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Or confusing the red-colored granola bar wrapper (chocolate) and the orange-colored one (peanut butter) during a chaotic morning (stab No. Adults and children weighing 30 kilograms (kg) or more0.3 to 0.5 milligram (mg) injected under the skin or into the muscle of your thigh. It's also a good idea to flush out your . 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. 1. Hand. You'll feel a rush of energy. Mathez, C., Favrat, B. If you get an artificially high dose (milligrams rather than tenths of a milligram) it can kill you. Philippe Staeger. Fresh, clean water is best if there is no saline on-hand. 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 . Clean any accidental sticks right away. I used to make jokes and wonder how someone could "accidentally" give themselves an epinephrine shot -- until it happened to us. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. report some recovery [6]. The child is fine now, but questions remain how this troubling incident could have happened. Yep, been there done that. The symptoms can rebound, returning hours or even days after you get an epinephrine injection. What happens when a deep water wave approaches the shore? Its always better for someone to help monitor your behavior and call for help if needed. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. 3). 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. In rare cases, this might result in a serious injury. A puncture wound is of course a wound that is caused by a direct puncture to the skin and often the below layers. Swing and push the auto-injector firmly until it clicks. The click signals that the injection has started. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. WALTHAM, Massachusetts -- Some scary moments unfolded after an 11-year-old accidentally stabbed himself with a real EpiPen during a health class lesson. 1998, 160: 6531-6532. In the event of accidental injection, you should always seek medical attention. 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 Each EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector, 0.15 mg delivers a single dose of epinephrine. This however, is the worst-case scenario. Sellens C, Morrison L: Accidental injection of epinephrine by a child: a unique approach to treatment. Yet today, I managed to crack the backboard on my driveway . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". If you do choose to use hand sanitizer regularly, here are some tips to avoid any side effects: Don't use more than what's on your hand for too long. All I want is to get through my day without screwing something up. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For best results, ask your childs healthcare team to demonstrate how to properly use an epinephrine shot[3]. If I start to feel nausea and my stomach hurts or I get rashes and a headache, should I use an epipen? 12/13/17 AT 5:36 PM EST. There was full recovery 2 months after the accident. My son's have always been. Please Introduce Yourself: 1, 888 : Travel: 1, 400 : Restaurants: 1, 210 : Recipes and Cooking: 826 . 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. "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.". Use an Auto-Injector only once, then throw away in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where . Treatment included topical nitroglycerin, oral vasodilators and warming of the thumb. As expected, none caused an immediate response; however, after 8 hours, the thumb was pink and warm. If you alone call your local doctors office or allergist its never a bad idea to let them know the mistake. Glad you are okay! The consequences can be serious: avocado hand can result in damage to the muscles or tendons, and even the nerves in extreme cases. Summary: Epinephrine autoinjectors can be life-saving for patients experiencing anaphylaxis a life-threatening emergency but according to a new case series, the most commonly used autoinjector appears to be contributing to injuries in children. If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. I had began to feel very energized and had slight pain on my outer thigh. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If the finger is looking white, this would warrant going to an . Velissariou et al. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Even if you do inject yourself, youll still need to get to an emergency room. Up to 16% of tested doctors who read the instructions on the Epipen device self-injected the Epipen trainer into their thumb. 2. Luckily I had 2. J Accid Emerg Med. Find everything you need to know about Epinephrine Injection (Auvi-Q), including what it is used for, warnings, reviews, side effects, and interactions. But if you do this article can help make sure you know what to do. If you do happen to get hit by a shock wave, try not to touch anything with metal objects inside it because you don't want those charges to go somewhere else. 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]. 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). Several approaches were proposed: metacarpal nerve block or digital block with local lidocaine to induce an inhibition of sympathetic afferents to the digit; and topical nitroglycerin, systemic vasodilators, and warming by immersion in water to increase the blood flow supplying the digit. This may also cause the loss of sensation to the ring and little fingers. Is it easy to get an internship at Microsoft? Lock up your EpiPen in a safe location, so it is not available to children or others who might misuse it. (Brands may instruct users to hold the pen in place for 3, 5 or 10 seconds. This will help prevent your skin from drying out due to constant exposure to high levels of alcohol. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Use your EpiPen at the first sign of anaphylaxis. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. What happens if you stab your finger with an EpiPen? Hello, my name is Elaina and Im 16 years old. Epinephrine is adrenaline and a naturally occurring hormone in the body. So I grabbed the Epi-pen from him and took a closer look. All are serious errors that can delay or prevent getting someone the epinephrine necessary to stop a reaction. I try so hard to keep it together. 1993, 70: 396-398. 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. Here are some additional tips to help you avoid self-injury while using your EpiPen: Always follow instructions printed on your medication bottle. 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. My allergist has plenty of trainers laying around the office and they use a permanent marker to write trainer on practice injectors. In the process, she stabbed Alex's hand and injected him with the drug. Learn more about Epinephrine Injection . In one way or another, you find yourself punctured with a freshly sharpened No. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Again, hold the thing in your clenched fist, fingers and thumbs away from either end. 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 . After 20-30 minutes the blotchiness has faded and my leg felt a bit better. Hand sanitizer overuse can cause dry, cracked skin, as well as redness, discolouration, and flaking. Almost immediately, I could tell something was off, not because it hurt but because it felt different than normal. 2023 Nutricia North America. 2 pencil. Here are a few tips I recommend based on the storage instructions. You can also make a salt solution. 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. 1957, 163: 1477-1479. Am J Emerg Med. Yikes! . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Such wounds will generally .