accidentally stabbed myself with epipen

It does not store any personal data. I ended up stabbing myself (accidentally) in the soft fleshy pad of my thumb, about 1" from the end. What happens if you inject an EpiPen without needing it? Your email address will not be published. 2 What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? I decided to try the practice one I knew was in the case. Epinephrine is adrenaline and a naturally occurring hormone in the body. 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. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Such wounds will generally . Maybe theyve watched you practice using your Epi or maybe theyve seen the picture instructions on the box. (I had used the practice one before). Make sure you alert someone around you. Correspondence to Treatment included topical nitroglycerin, oral vasodilators and warming of the thumb. Use them safely to prevent finger sticks. I used to make jokes and wonder how someone could "accidentally" give themselves an epinephrine shot -- until it happened to us. 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 had began to feel very energized and had slight pain on my outer thigh. 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). Five years later at sleep-away camp in New Hampshire, it was . Once injected epinephrine will: According to instructions, you should inject yourself in the upper thigh, however, mistakes are made. Accidental injection symptoms are typically mild and may include transient numbness or tingling. Once a year Ill get my new Epipen and practice with the trainer. 29/07/2008 23:27. This is not necessary with hand sanitizer since it does not spread via contact with other objects, but it will help prevent spreading disease if you come in contact with poo or vomit for example. Article Isn't the practice pen visually quite different? What happens if you inject an EpiPen when you dont need it? PubMed Central Peripheral perfusion is restored usually in less than 5 minutes. The incidence is about 1 per 50,000 Epipen units [3]. PubMed 1993, 70: 396-398. The provider orders an injection of a vasodilator to the digit, and documents a diagnosis of "Accidental epinephrine injection to L thumb". 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. Indirect contact with an electric field generated by a shock pen may also be harmful. This however, is the worst-case scenario. You should always be checked out at the ER after using your EpiPen. What causes the arms to go numb while sleeping? Can you use an EpiPen if you have high blood pressure? 1994, 3: 193-195. 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. 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. Burkhart KK: The reversal of the ischemic effects of epinephrine on a finger with local injections of phentolamine. There will always be the chance of unknowingly scarfing down pecan-laced strawberry pie at a family gathering (stab No. Ann Allergy. Most people understand that an Epipen contains epinephrine. Epi pens can have side effects. The drug wasn't supposed to be inside of the EpiPen an 11-year-old boy stabbed himself with during health class. He specializes in orthopedic surgery, cancer treatment, and general surgical procedures. Plast Reconstr Surg. Find everything you need to know about Epinephrine Injection (Auvi-Q), including what it is used for, warnings, reviews, side effects, and interactions. She, at that point, thought I had found something wrong with my newly dyed hair. 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. PubMed Mathez, C., Favrat, B. Use your EpiPen at the first sign of anaphylaxis. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 9 What happens if you accidentally inject epinephrine into your thumb? The victim will likely experience pain when the wound is being cleaned so if the person is conscious, give her/him a warning. Next, aim for the middle of the outer thigh, holding it at a right angle to the thigh. Lock up your EpiPen in a safe location, so it is not available to children or others who might misuse it. Thus, those receiving prescriptions for epinephrine autoinjectors should receive similar training. Manage cookies/Do not sell my data we use in the preference centre. Case 1: A 15-year-old boy found an EpiPen on a bus. Swing and push the auto-injector firmly until it clicks. The click signals that the injection has started. Ive broken out in hives a few times and Ive wondered if I needed to use my Epipen. 3. 1997, 14: 379-380. Copyright 2020 - 2023 Stamina Comfort Inc. What happens if you take an EpiPen without needing it? What does a blood sugar level of 1000 mean? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The practice pen that I had looked almost identical to the real thing. We think a regimen of treatment should be available to treat accidental epinephrine injection. Large amounts of ink swallowed from a bottle could be irritant, but serious poisoning has not been reported.". I recently accidentally stabbed myself in the leg with my old and expired epipen. old, shot himself with an epi-pen. Puncture Wound Care. He . What should I do if I use my EpiPen on accident? If you handle electric shock devices without thinking about what you're doing, you could be risking serious injury. Immersion in warm water, application of topical nitroglycerin, and nerve blockade have been attempted without success, although Kaspersen et al. 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. 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. Not much medicine if any got into his leg. 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. That is not because of the epinephrine, but because the allergic reaction probably requires further monitoring. Seek emergency medical attention even after you use EpiPen to treat a severe allergic reaction. The rate of accidental injection of epinephrine from autoinjectors has increased worldwide. If you are unsure when would be appropriate time to administer your EpiPen, please contact your allergist or the EpiPen prescriber. At Dust Mite Solutions we try to answer the most important questions you have about allergies. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2007.00529.x. What are the symptoms of an accidental epinephrine injection? Kaspersen J, Vedsted P: [Accidental injection of adrenaline in a finger with EpiPen]. What happens if you inject an EpiPen by accident? We reviewed the treatment of accidental epinephrine injection, and found that the use of parenteral adrenergic alpha blocker phentolamine would have produced immediate recovery. Maguire WM, Reisdorff EJ, Smith D, Wiegenstein JG: Epinephrine-induced vasospasm reversed by phentolamine digital block. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Ive also wondered what happens if you use an Epipen without needing it. Are you in danger of lead poisoning? 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. I first got my epipen back in 2006 and it was the same ones that I had at my house. What happens if I use an EpiPen and dont need it? Use a sterile material to dry the wound and immediately cover the wound with a waterproof plaster or dressing. Or just take reactants. There are a few situations that come to mind when answering this question. I decided to try the practice one I knew was in the case. Sometimes they dont improve hours or days later. You might feel anxious. Symptoms of breathing problems, nausea or vomiting, itching, and swelling can come on quickly and become life-threatening. An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. You will need to receive further treatment and observation. Alain Pcoud is thanked for critically reviewing the manuscript. 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. Police . Either way, glad you're OK! 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. 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! 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). The tester should look altogether different from the actual pen with a vivid color or other markings. Access to medical databases through new technologies is essential. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Epinephrine can kill you. 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). Luckily, the doctors performed emergency procedures and were able to restart it. However, sometimes the symptoms get better and then start again a few hours later. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Introduction Epinephrine autoinjector devices are used with increasing frequency to treat severe anaphylactic reactions. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What do you do if you accidentally inject yourself with an EpiPen? Google Scholar. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Hinterberger JW, Kintzi HE: Phentolamine reversal of epinephrine-induced digital vasospasm. I hope you dont have to use an Epipen and I hope you never use an Epipen without needing it. Does it matter where you stick an EpiPen? Many pharmacies aren't licenced to take back medications for disposal. If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. After injecting an EpiPen, hearing a click lets you know it worked. Article 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. 3). In the case of an emergency, you may not easily be able to let caregivers know if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. 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. In conclusion, epinephrine can be given through clothes but only if you know what you're doing. Ive battled environmental allergies for years and I always carry an Epipen with me. Pack the wound. Epinephrine increases blood pressure and can trigger heart arrhythmias, strokes, and heart attacks. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? Formal training should be provided to all health professionals who prescribe or issue epinephrine autoinjectors. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. Thus far Ive been lucky. 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. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Also seek emergency medical attention if you accidentally inject yourself while giving epinephrine to another person. 10.1001/archfami.3.2.193. ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. B12 injections or vaccinations), theres a sharp sting as the needle punctures the skin. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Very glad to hear that you were there to help, and that you had a backup injector! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Answer (1 of 4): I just saw your comment that you stabbed yourself in the finger. How often does a Cessna require an engine overhaul? You may also consider using EpiPen while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always call 911 or go to the emergency room after using your EpiPen. Almost immediately, I could tell something was off, not . How to save an ischemic finger. Then you can just throw the case away. So I grabbed it, popped the lid off, and stabbed my outer thigh. 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. All are serious errors that can delay or prevent getting someone the epinephrine necessary to stop a reaction. Dp says this is just to be expected but I'm worried I've damaged the circulation or something.