accidentally stabbed myself with epipen

Each EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector, 0.15 mg delivers a single dose of epinephrine. If you get an artificially high dose (milligrams rather than tenths of a milligram) it can kill you. 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 Topical nitroglycerin, oral vasodilators, and immersion in warm water were attempted unsuccessfully. 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?. Use your EpiPen at the first sign of anaphylaxis. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. As soon as he noticed the needle in his leg he pulled it out. The reason: Children and older adults tend to share needles, which leads to infections that can cause serious heart problems if not treated immediately. So basically, as your throat is closing from the allergic reaction, you're supposed to take the . 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. The recent energy lasted about 3 hours overall. If left untreated, low blood glucose levels may lead to seizure or coma. This can reduce blood flow to the area. If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. 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. But holding it for 10 seconds is appropriate in all cases, and it may easier to remember.) Always wear protective gear when giving injections, and never give an injection in the back of the neck or anywhere near the heart. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images, but is obvious as the patient is the first author of this case report. Terms and Conditions, Hold firmly in place for 3 seconds (count slowly 1, 2, 3). Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. you should have gone to the e.r. I am allergic to bees so I've always had epipens. Stier PA, Bogner MP, Webster K, Leikin JB, Burda A: Use of subcutaneous terbutaline to reverse peripheral ischemia. Hold firmly against your thigh for 3 seconds for EpiPen and its generic, 5 seconds for Auvi-Q, or 10 seconds for generic Adrenaclick to deliver the medication. What causes the arms to go numb while sleeping? Sorry there was an error savinig your comment. elevated heart rate and/or heart palpations. https://doi.org/10.4076/1752-1947-3-7268, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4076/1752-1947-3-7268. 10.1097/01.PRS.0000162160.26682.6E. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Seek emergency medical treatment if this occurs. My son, 10 yrs. The sharp sting will hurt but lasts less than 10 seconds. 2023 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. What happens if you inject an EpiPen by accident? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Which is a uniquely modern human Homo sapiens trait? 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. I hope you dont have to use an Epipen and I hope you never use an Epipen without needing it. Ann Allergy. The accidental action caused Alex's heart to stop. 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. spstarke. Like other injections that go into the muscle (e.g. J Accid Emerg Med. Luckily I had 2. 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. 10 How do you know if an EpiPen has worked? An unintentional injection into the hands or feet might reduce blood supply to these tissues, potentially resulting in tissue death. He developed swelling, pallor, and pain in the thumb. Like other injections that go into the muscle (e.g. If you did not hear a click, that person may not have received any medication. I was looking in some cabinets for neosporin when I came across my old epipens. If you don't understand any of the instructions, ask your pharmacist for help. The practice pen that I had looked almost identical to the real thing. 1990, 8: 46-47. Your injection can be a reason for concern if injected in the hands, feet, or digits. Over the years, I've gotten a lot better at wielding an EpiPen. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Keep all medications in a safe place where children cannot reach them. My wife accidentally stuck her finger and now its white, cold, numb and wrinkly like she just got out of the tub but refuses to seek medical attention. "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. If you handle electric shock devices without thinking about what you're doing, you could be risking serious injury. There might even be a bit of a dark spot from the graphite underneath the skin. If the finger is looking white, this would warrant going to an . The drug wasn't supposed to be inside of the EpiPen an 11-year-old boy stabbed himself with during health class. It can be given while wearing pants. 12/13/17 AT 5:36 PM EST. Then I suddenly registered that - wait a second - that doesn't look right. Hopefully, you can remain calm, notify people in the immediate vicinity, and seek medical advice quickly. This event also highlights the importance for all doctors to gain quick access to information in the case of unusual presentation. 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. An incorrect or accidental administration can have dangerous consequences. 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). 1 What happens if you accidentally take an EpiPen? If I start to feel nausea and my stomach hurts or I get rashes and a headache, should I use an epipen? This however, is the worst-case scenario. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Part of (Brands may instruct users to hold the pen in place for 3, 5 or 10 seconds. the cut is deep or exposes subcutaneous tissue. At Dust Mite Solutions we try to answer the most important questions you have about allergies. 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. However, sometimes the symptoms get better and then start again a few hours later. Introduction Epinephrine autoinjector devices are used with increasing frequency to treat severe anaphylactic reactions. This however, is the worst-case scenario. Very glad to hear that you were there to help, and that you had a backup injector! In the event of accidental injection, you should always seek medical attention. Whenever I practice using my Epipen I make sure Im using the correct injector. 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. 2007, 2: 5-11. In conclusion, epinephrine can be given through clothes but only if you know what you're doing. 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). This however, is the worst-case scenario. A physician in a Family Practice training program accidentally injected epinephrine into his left thumb while reading the operating instructions of an autoinjector (Epipen). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Immediate effects are: Local Vasoconstriction Loss of circulation/ adequate perfusion with a cap refill >4 seconds. 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. 2007, 18: 448-452. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This however, is the worst-case scenario. (Needless to say I dumped that dose and got a fresh syringe for the cat :lol: :lol: ) Fresh, clean water is best if there is no saline on-hand. Privacy 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Forcefully push the epinephrine injector into the outer-upper portion of the thigh in a stabbing motion, and hold it there for 10 seconds. In a hurry, Christina grabbed a syringe full of epinephrine and directed it to the patient's heart without looking. Most cases of anaphylaxis happen quickly and fully resolve after theyre treated. An unintentional injection into the hands or feet might reduce blood supply to these tissues, potentially resulting in tissue death. 2 What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? Thanks for reading! As Teddy expected, Cristina began to work too quickly and wasn't careful with the instruments. Mehr S, Robinson M, Tang M: Doctor - how do I use my EpiPen?. Ugeskr Laeger. Kaspersen J, Vedsted P: [Accidental injection of adrenaline in a finger with EpiPen]. B12 injections or vaccinations), theres a sharp sting as the needle punctures the skin. However, I was still feeling very energized. Other possible injuries include redness, swelling, blistering, or peeling of the skin, bleeding under the skin, or scarring. You will need to receive further treatment and observation. 10.1136/emj.2003.005462. Family Medicine 58 years experience. Keep your hand and fingers away from the needle end. Plast Reconstr Surg. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. There are a few situations that come to mind when answering this question. Place the orange tip against the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg) at a right angle (perpendicular) to the thigh. Once injected epinephrine will: According to instructions, you should inject yourself in the upper thigh, however, mistakes are made. CM, PS and BF have made substantial contributions to conception, design, writing the manuscript and literature review. It's gone a kind of pale bluish white colour, feels quite numb and cold. The school district said it is investigating the incident and are reviewing school-wide procedures to make sure something similar does not happen again. You will need to receive further treatment and observation. If you alone call your local doctors office or allergist its never a bad idea to let them know the mistake. Accidental injection symptoms are typically mild and may include transient numbness or tingling. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling. Management options for accidental injection of epinephrine from an autoinjector: a case report, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. (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 the leg of young children firmly in place before and during injection to prevent injuries. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Is it easy to get an internship at Microsoft? Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. What if I use an EpiPen and dont need it? 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. You may also consider using EpiPen while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 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. Arch Fam Med. May described his son as turning bright red in color, and said he was sweating profusely by the time he arrived at the hospital. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 2 What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? Is it bad to use hand sanitizer all the time? It says it expired in 2007. 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. The boy complained of pain, numbness, and tingling. If you accidentally stab the tip in your buttocks, the medication dosage will be less effective. 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. Kids are observant. Article Video: The life-saving skill EVERYONE should have: Medical student reveals exactly how to use an EpiPen - after watching viral video of a girl stabbing HERSELF while trying to help a sick friend Police . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I decided to try the practice one I knew was in the case. 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. The Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters guidelines recommend that patients at risk carry two epipens at all times (or any auto injector). What does a blood sugar level of 1000 mean? Feels kind of sore where the stab wound is. This may also cause the loss of sensation to the ring and little fingers. Immersion in warm water, application of topical nitroglycerin, and nerve blockade have been attempted without success, although Kaspersen et al. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. then get accidentally stabbed with it. What common mistake can happen when using an EpiPen? 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. 29/07/2008 23:27. Of course, that was until I accidentally stabbed myself in the thumb with an Epipen needle. Make sure you alert someone around you. 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. 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. What should I do if I use my EpiPen on accident? Luckily, the doctors performed emergency procedures and were able to restart it. Use an Auto-Injector only once, then throw away in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where . Also seek emergency medical attention if you accidentally inject yourself while giving epinephrine to another person. Treatment included topical nitroglycerin, oral vasodilators and warming of the thumb. EpiPen has several resources to teach patients about the proper use of epinephrine shots. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal. In any case, you should always seek medical assistance if you accidentally inject yourself; it's better to be safe than sorry! Almost immediately, I could tell something was off, not because it hurt but because it felt different than normal. If epinephrine is injected into small areas such as fingers and hands by mistake, blood vessels will constrict at the site of injection. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. Accidental Injections of Epinephrine (EpiPen). That is not because of the epinephrine, but because the allergic reaction probably requires further monitoring. Its always better for someone to help monitor your behavior and call for help if needed. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What are the symptoms of an accidental epinephrine injection? If youre at home, a friends house, or at a party, make sure you tell someone that youve injected yourself with an Epipen. Up to 16% of tested doctors who read the instructions on the Epipen device self-injected the Epipen trainer into their thumb. 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.