Sir,
Excellent advice on the EpiPen, but its worth mentioning an adequate stock of Benadryl should also be on hand. The EpiPen treats the symptoms of anaphylactic shock but Benadryl or a similar antihistamine will treat the cause. (Which is of particular importance if a doctor is not available.) Bee stings are the most common culprit for anaphylaxis, but it can also be caused by food allergies, latex allergies, and others. Here is a site with some information on Benadryl, side effects and administration instructions Respectfully, – Patrick R
Jim:
Epi can kill if not used correctly. The key issue is understanding WHEN to administer. Most folks don’t understand anaphylaxis, which is what can kill someone who is allergic to bee stings. I hear a lot of people say, “I’m allergic to bee stings!”, but when I question them I find that their symptoms are not consistent with anaphylaxis. I.E. they are not really allergic reactions. In these cases use of EpiPen would be contraindicated.
Also, the commercially available EpiPens come in two prescription strengths — one suited for an adult; one for a small child. Giving the wrong one could be unproductive at best and fatal at worst. Hope this helps. – The Northwest EMT