X
This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 9,638 times.
An allergy emergency pen is a device that injects epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction. The auto-injector, also known as an EpiPen, is necessary for people with severe allergies that can result in anaphylaxis. To determine if you need an allergy emergency pen, you should visit a board-certified allergist.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Figuring Out if You Need an Emergency Pen
Know that an emergency pen is used to treat severe allergic reactions. An emergency pen is a device that delivers the life-saving drug epinephrine to someone experiencing anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction. You might need an emergency pen if your allergic reactions include symptoms such as:[1]- Dizziness and/or fainting
- Skin reactions like hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin
- Low blood pressure
- Swollen tongue or throat
- Trouble breathing
- Rapid or weak pulse
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Make an appointment with a board-certified allergist. If you think you have had an allergic reaction to an insect sting or to a particular food, you should contact a board-certified allergist immediately set up an appointment with the allergist as soon as possible.[2]- Visit the website of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology at http://allergist.aaaai.org/find/ to find an allergist near you.
- Your medical provider can prescribe you an emergency pen if you have a known allergy.
Advertisement
Send your medical records to the allergist. To prepare for your visit with the allergist, you will need to gather your medical records, including previous allergy testing, histories of allergic reactions, and chart notes from doctors that previously treated you. Contact the doctors that treated you in the past and ask them to send your medical records to the allergist.[3]
Prepare to answer questions about your medical history. When you visit the allergist, they will ask you questions about your medical history in general and you allergy symptoms in particular. The allergist may ask you about:[4]- The type and duration of allergy symptoms
- The situations and seasons when the symptoms occur
- How long you have had the symptoms
- What types of medications, including allergy medications, you take
- Whether a suspected allergy has caused an anaphylactic reaction in the past
Be ready for a physical exam. When you visit the allergist, they will perform a physical exam. During the exam, the allergist will focus on your eyes, ears, throat, nose, heart, and lungs as they look for signs of allergic disease and past reactions. The doctor will also examine your skin closely as part of the physical exam.[5]- Be prepared to talk about your medical history, as your doctor will ask you if have or have had heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder. They may also ask if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Complete diagnostic testing. After your doctor completes the physical exam and reviews your medical history, they will decide what further testing is needed. These tests can include blood tests, skin tests, and/or oral food challenges.[6]- Skin tests, sometimes called a puncture test or a scratch test, may include the injection of potential allergens into your skin to determine if you are allergic to them. Skin tests are typically not painful.
- During food challenge test the allergist will ask you to eat a potentially allergenic food, like peanuts, and will then monitor your reaction. Skin tests are best performed within three or four weeks of an anaphylactic reaction.
- Your doctor may also perform an allergy blood panel to look for reactions that could be triggered by foods, medications, and stinging or biting insects.
Follow up with your allergist. Once you complete your initial visit, you will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your allergist. At this appointment, the allergist will help create a long-term treatment plan for your allergies. This can include the prescription of an allergy emergency pen which consists of injectable epinephrine. The pen is commonly known as the emergency pen.[7]Advertisement
-Step-5-Version-3.jpg)
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Determining When to Use the Emergency Pen
Identify symptoms of anaphylaxis. When a person is exposed to a specific allergen, they can experience anaphylaxis. The reaction can be severe, and even life-threatening. Anaphylactic reactions usually occur within minutes of exposure, but can take as long as a half-hour or longer to occur in some cases. Look for the following symptoms of Anaphylaxis:[8]- Dizziness and/or fainting
- Skin reactions like hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin
- Low blood pressure
- Swollen tongue or throat
- Trouble breathing
- Rapid or weak pulse
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Ask if the person needs help using the emergency pen. If a person already has an emergency pen on them and is experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, ask them if they need help using the allergy emergency pen. A person who knows they need an injection should be able to instruct you. If not, instructions are printed on the side of the emergency pen.[9]
Use the emergency pen. Hold the emergency pen with your fist firmly on the middle of the device. Inject the emergency pen into the muscle or fat of the mid-outer thigh directly through the clothing, and then hold in place for a slow count of three seconds. Remove the device and then massage the injection site for 10 seconds.[10]- Do not administer the emergency pen in the buttock, veins, hands, or feet.
- The effects of an emergency pen may wear off after 10-20 minutes. You may administer a second dose if symptoms are not subsiding, but do not administer more than two doses.[11]
Call emergency services. Even if you administer the emergency pen and symptoms appear to be improving, it is critical that the person receives professional medical help as soon as possible. Call emergency services and immediately tell them your location. Then describe the situation and ask that medical help be sent immediately.[12]- Call 911 in the United States.
- Call 999 in the United Kingdom.
- Call 000 in Australia.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
- QuestionDo you need to be trained to use an EpiPen?
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MSSarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Registered NurseNot necessarily, but it may make you feel confident using it. To feel comfortable using your EpiPen in an emergency situation, you can ask your healthcare provider or nurse to demonstrate how to give the injection.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
SubmitAdvertisement
Tips
- Use an auto-injector only once, then throw away in a puncture-proof container. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.Thanks
- The auto injector should be discarded if it is discolored or if it contains a precipitate.Thanks
- Carry your emergency pen with you at all times.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603002.html
- ↑ https://www.atlantaallergy.com/posts/view/33-what-is-an-epipen-and-who-needs-it
- ↑ http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Consumers/Complaints/Complaints_FAQ/Medical_Records_FAQ.aspx
- ↑ http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/medical-evaluation-of-allergies
- ↑ https://allergy-asthma-docs.com/what-to-expect/
- ↑ https://www.atlantaallergy.com/posts/view/33-what-is-an-epipen-and-who-needs-it
- ↑ https://www.epipen.com/what-is-anaphylaxis/allergy-testing
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anaphylaxis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20307213
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-anaphylaxis/basics/art-20056608
About this article
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013. This article has been viewed 9,638 times.
Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 21, 2021
Views: 9,638
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,638 times.
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
Advertisement
