Anyone can help!
(Real pen the last picture)
It is important for EVERYONE to know how to help ANYONE. Not everyone can give them selves their medicine under every circumstance. Be educated, help out.
In the last year, i have gotten about five new violent allergies from foods i used to be able to eat. Next time i eat a fruit, my throat could close. I may not be able to inject myself. My boyfriend and i played with my trainer pen for like 30 minutes. He knows how to inject it. I know how. This is important.
As someone with food allergies I feel like everyone should know this. Especially for those who are physically or mentally unable to stab themself with a needle for whatever reason (such as myself who has an extreme phobia of needles), others around them need to know how to administer one in case of an emergency.
Another tip! If their thigh isn’t exposed don’t panic! The needle will go through fabric as long as you don’t try to push through a seam. Seams are too thick for the needle!!!
I’m pinning this post
I’m mortified that this post made me realize I had no clue how epipens work.
Spreading this.
Highlighting the bit about holding it in place for at least three seconds (I usually practice five seconds, just to be safe), AND THE PART ABOUT CALLING AN AMBULANCE.
The epipen does not CURE the allergic reaction, it just hits pause. It gives the patient an extra window of time for the ambulance to get there. It’s not an indefinite pause - it’s just a temporary one. 15 minutes, if I recall correctly. So GET AN AMBULANCE THERE ASAP.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I literally HAVE an epipen but since I’ve never been allowed to have it myself I literally don’t know how to use it.
If I were to be stung by fire ants (which I am severely allergic to) I wouldn’t have known how to save myself. This post is SO HELPFUL.
Reminder to lay the person down if possible (this is what I was taught anyway). Remember: BLUE TO THE SKY, ORANGE TO THE THIGH You don’t want to accidentally pierce your own hand with the needle, which can sometimes happen under pressure and stress.
For an asthma attack, sit the person down and have them lean forward. Using a spacer, give them four puffs of their inhaler and have them wait four minutes. If their breathing is still constricted/hasn’t returned to normal, call an ambulance and give them another four puffs. Wait four minutes. Repeat, depending on if they have recovered or not.
For a panic attack, sit the person down and encourage them to slow down their breathing. Try to get them talking about the environment they are in by asking them to list five things they can see, four things they can hear, three things they can feel, two things they can smell and one thing they can taste.
For a meltdown, REMOVE THE PERSON FROM THE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENT IF POSSIBLE. Reduce stimuli. Move people away from the person.
In the event of an epileptic seizure, move any objects the person can reach with their arms or legs away from them. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESTRAIN THEM OR PUT ANYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH. Call an ambulance.
Additionally, for a seizure, time it. Knowing the length of the seizure helps the paramedics to assess the severity of the situation.
