Parents often afraid to use EpiPen
Categories: Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Health & safety
Last summer, my six-year-old was stung on the ear by a wasp. Fortunately, he is not allergic, but it was still a harrowing experience; my son flailed around and screamed the entire way home from the park, and then initially refused to take any Benadryl. In the end, everything was fine, but I was worn out when it was all over.
I can't even imagine what I would have done if I'd had to give him a shot. I mean, yes, I would DO it, but I think that might have done me in permanently. And apparently, I'm not alone in this: a new study has found that parents of children with known allergies, the kind that can result in anaphylaxis, are still nervous about using the EpiPen, even when they have been properly trained and are aware that it could save their child's life.
The families in the survey included children with food allergies, primarily to tree nuts; nearly half had had a prior allergic episode. According to the study's authors, familiarity and training with the EpiPen didn't make parents more comfortable using the pen, nor did prior allergic reactions. Instead, it was an understanding of their child's allergy that made the greatest difference in their willingness to give the shot. "Parents who were knowledgeable and felt a sense of empowerment over their child's food allergy and who actually used the EpiPen on their child on a number occasions displayed high levels of comfort in using the device."
Does your child have severe allergies? Have you ever had to administer medication? Were you comfortable doing so, or did it make you nervous?
I can't even imagine what I would have done if I'd had to give him a shot. I mean, yes, I would DO it, but I think that might have done me in permanently. And apparently, I'm not alone in this: a new study has found that parents of children with known allergies, the kind that can result in anaphylaxis, are still nervous about using the EpiPen, even when they have been properly trained and are aware that it could save their child's life.
The families in the survey included children with food allergies, primarily to tree nuts; nearly half had had a prior allergic episode. According to the study's authors, familiarity and training with the EpiPen didn't make parents more comfortable using the pen, nor did prior allergic reactions. Instead, it was an understanding of their child's allergy that made the greatest difference in their willingness to give the shot. "Parents who were knowledgeable and felt a sense of empowerment over their child's food allergy and who actually used the EpiPen on their child on a number occasions displayed high levels of comfort in using the device."
Does your child have severe allergies? Have you ever had to administer medication? Were you comfortable doing so, or did it make you nervous?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stacey 2-27-2007 @ 3:20PM
When I was in juniour high, we had a girl in our class who was allergic to nuts. They had a nurse come into class and teach everybody there how to use the EpiPen. I have got to tell you, I don't find it surprising that the parents aren't really comfortable with it. I found myself hoping guiltily that I wouldn't be around if she ever did have a reaction to something, although of course if I had I would have used it to save her life. I think it's something about the way you have to STAB it into the thigh and it's all so life or death. Silly, I know. It's one of the things you hope you never have to do but in a pinch you wouldn't think about it, you'd just do it.
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Ethel 2-27-2007 @ 3:53PM
My 2 year old has food allergies (peanuts and flax seed), and you'd be damn sure I'd administer the epinephrine if he needed it! As our allergist said "You can never predict the severity of any given reaction. One time it might be mild (with vomiting and diarrhea) the next time you might not have very much time before the child dies." That kind of made it pretty clear what my choice would be.
I have administered epinephrine to myself, it was easy to do and worked fine. I just was jittery and shaky for about an hour afterwards. While that wasn't fun it was better then dying, and worth the cost of the prescription.
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LS 2-28-2007 @ 11:30AM
I am very fortunate that I don't have a child with allergies. But I am a "danger mom", which means that he has his share of bumps, bruises, blood, and the occasional trip to the E.R. I stay calm and fine through the whole experience, I believe, because of two things. First, I was brought up to be calm in an emergency... I can remember when I was about seven, my mom was seriously injured playing racketball - she got hit in the face with a broken racket and bled like you wouldn't believe. Nobody panicked. Everyone was efficient, getting towels, ice, first-aid kits, etc., until we were able to get her to the hospital. That memory sticks with me - she was cared for quickly because everyone stayed calm, and just acted like it needed to be done. No big deal, even though it was. Clean up the blood and move on.
I also worked several years in an animal hospital, doing everything from giving shots to assisting in surgery.
Not everyone can be a surgical nurse, but we *can* work to take the mystery out of medical procedures - and I believe it's that mystery that scares people. That "it can only be done by a doctor" mentality. If you really think you're going to have trouble adminstering that shot, practice on an orange. Sounds goofy, but my diabetic aunt said that it really helped her when she first had to give herself shots. Talk with your doctor to find ways to desensitize yourself - perhaps volunteer in his office or something. And finally, realize that this is a pin-prick that could save a life instead of a horrible shot that makes people so queasy.
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Polly 3-01-2007 @ 8:45PM
I used an expired epipen and practiced giving the shot on an orange. It was helpful to see how much pressure needed to be applied and how long the needle was. I now feel more confident about giving it to her.
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