Tips on Giving Yourself an Epinephrine Shot

If you are allergic to bees, peanuts, shellfish or one of a thousand or more things you may be carrying around what is known as an epinephrine pen with you. This is an epinephrine shot that for you may be the difference between life and death. But the question is do you know how to properly use it? Another important question is do your friends and love ones know how to use it on you?

Here are some of the basic principles on how to use the epinephrine shot/pin if you ever have to use it.

• 1. Grasp the pen in your fist, with the point facing downward. Do not touch the tip of it.
• 2. Pull off the cap of the pen with your free hand.
• 3. Keep the pen close to your outer thigh. Move in a quick movement. Swing the pen upward and jab the point into your outer thigh. If you must, inject the pen through your clothing. If you can, remove the clothing first. Try to angle the pen at a 90 degree angle. Thrust it hard into your thigh making sure the injector goes right into your skin.
• 4. Keep the injector in your skin for about ten seconds. A red flag should appear in the injection window letting you know that the fluid has entered your body. If this red flag does not appear after ten seconds repeat steps 1 through 3. Expect to see some remaining fluid in the pen when you are finished and the flap has appeared. This is normal. Do not try to inject this into your body.
• 5. Remove the injector from your skin. Now place your hand over the area and gently rub the area. Continue rubbing for about ten seconds.
• 6. Place the injector back into its tube. Take it to the ER with you and give it to a nurse, who can destroy the contents for you. Yes, you must go to the ER, even if you did inject yourself with the epinephrine shot/pen correctly and you feel okay. The ER trip is still essential. You need to be checked by professionals to make sure that your allergies are under control and that no reaction is occurring due to the epinephrine shot.

Once everything has calmed and you find that you are once again well, congratulate yourself for handling your own medical emergency.

Sources:

webmd.com