When To Give Epinephrine For Allergic Reaction
UPDATED Dec 2023
Listen to this podcast first - Are you REALLY ready to use the EpiPen? Take this quiz to find out!
*This blog is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that occurs when someone’s immune system mistakenly thinks that something like food or a bee sting or something else is a threat and so the immune system attacks and causes symptoms. Epinephrine is the only way to stop anaphylaxis once it has started. So, if you have a severe allergy, it’s important to know when to give epinephrine for allergic reaction.
When would we use epinephrine to treat an allergic reaction?
According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, here are the symptoms of Anaplyaxis.
If there are any ONE of the following SEVERE symptoms:
Shortness of breath, wheezing, repetitive cough
Pale or bluish skin, faintness, weak pulse, dizziness
Tight or hoarse throat, trouble breathing or swallowing
Significant swelling of the tongue or lips
Many hives over the body, widespread redness
Repetitive vomiting, severe diarrhea
Feeling something bad is about to happen, anxiety, confusion
Or a combo of symptoms.
OR for mild symptoms from more than one system area:
Itchy or runny nose, sneezing
Itchy mouth
a few hives and mild itch
mild nausea or discomfort
It’s one thing to ask when to give epinephrine for allergic reaction, and another to ACTUALLY do it. Because there’s a fear that comes with epinephrine injectors, just because they are needles. I want to spend some time overcoming this fear so that if and when you need to use epinephrine to treat an allergic reaction, you can feel confident instead of nervous.
Overcome Hesitance of When To Give Epinephrine For Allergic Reaction
The first step is to acknowledge you’re afraid to use the EpiPen/Auvi-Q. I know you would do anything for your child, but don’t be caught off guard, because the fear of the EpiPen/Auvi-Q can stop you from using this life-saving tool as you’ll see in my story below.
The fact that you’re reading this shows that you’re ready to become more confident, so way to go!
There are 3 steps to help you stop being scared of using the EpiPen or Auvi-Q:
Learn the facts about the EpiPen or Auvi-Q (or whatever epinephrine injector you use) and how to use them.
Focus on the positives of the epinephrine injector.
Intentionally add the positives into your daily activities to help you AND your child.
Let’s go into these in a bit more detail, but first, let me tell you a story about a time my daughter had a scary reaction and I didn’t know when to give epinephrine for allergic reaction.
It was a Thursday morning. My kindergartener was in school so my 3-year-old and I were looking forward to a playdate. She had made a new friend and I was eager to encourage her flourishing friendship and see if her mom and I might connect too.
I had done everything. I confirmed the date and time, reminded the mom about my daughter’s severe peanut and tree nut allergy, and prepped the allergy-safe snack that we would all share. We had our epinephrine with us.
The first hour went like any playdate. I visited with mom and we chit-chatted while the kids played in the playroom. We were having fun. We ensured all the kids washed their hands and the table was wiped clean before eating the allergy-safe snack I brought for the kids.
But after the kids returned to play for a few minutes, it happened. My daughter came and sat on my lap.
I wondered why she had left her friend and all the new toys she had been enjoying so much. But then I saw her face. She was unrecognizable. Her whole left side from her eye to her chin was completely swollen, including her lips.
I FROZE.
At first, I thought she hit her head. I just couldn’t figure out what could have caused this. My daughter wasn’t helping. She didn’t answer my questions and just kept cuddling up to me.
By this time the other mom was alarmed too. It wasn’t until she said “Oh no. My kids ate peanut butter in the playroom yesterday” did I start to clue in. My daughter was having an allergic reaction.
Alarms went off in my head. Is my worst nightmare happening? Is this anaphylaxis? What do I do? Do I use the EpiPen?
I was scared and my pulse was racing. I quickly said we needed to go home and I could barely focus enough to drive the 7 blocks home.
As soon as I got home, I gave my daughter 24 hour Benadryl or Reactine. She was still very swollen and didn’t want to leave my side. I thought about using the EpiPen, but I just wasn’t sure if it was time to use it. I decided to call my hubby at work.
My memory is blurry now, but know that I didn’t use the EpiPen. Even so, after what seemed like days, my daughter’s face started looking more normal again. It took several hours, but it did go away. I was thanking God for his grace and protection that day.
Now as I look back at that story, I cringe (maybe you did too?). Two things stand out to me.
I had NO IDEA WHEN to give epinephrine for allergic reaction. It’s hard to say whether I should have given it to my daughter or not because after all these years I don’t know if my memory serves me correctly, but the point is, I WASN’T sure when it mattered.
I wasn’t 100% confident in my decision and although it turned out ok, IT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT BAD.
2. I WAS TOO AFRAID to use the EpiPen. I remember looking for every other way to help her (using the Reactine/Benadryl, calling my hubby, and just “wait and see”) Even though I had the EpiPen with us and ready to go, I couldn’t get myself to use the EpiPen because deep down I was afraid of what might happen if I did (would it hurt her?, would medical staff say I did the wrong thing?).
I’m often relieved that the story turned out as well as it did, but it wasn’t my finest moment. I still don’t know exactly what happened, but it’s likely that my daughter touched peanut butter and then touched her eye or put her fingers in her mouth.
This event made a huge impact on me and since that time, things have changed.
Over several years, I’ve become confident with when to use give epinephrine because I’ve researched the facts and used simple activities that give my daughter and me confidence. I now know there are ways to make using the epinephrine less scary and more positive, but it takes a bit of work!
Since I’ve become a Food Allergy Consultant & Coach I’ve learned that many moms & parents feel this same way. I know that many parents simply hope they never have to use epinephrine OR make that decision.
If this is you, I want to assure you. It’s not your fault that you don’t feel confident. How could you when you’ve never had any training or help with it? There is no guilt.
Instead, I want to encourage you to be prepared.
The first step is to acknowledge how you feel about the EpiPen/Auvi-Q/epinephrine and decide if you’re afraid to use it. If you don’t acknowledge it, you can’t change it!
Once you do that, here are 3 steps to stop being scared to use the EpiPen or Auvi-Q.
3 Steps To Stop Being Scared To Use The EpiPen or Auvi-Q
KNOW the facts about the EpiPen or Auvi-Q, and when and how to use it.
It’s funny because this is a “chicken and the egg” scenario. The more you know, the more confident you are with the epinephrine. Then the more confident you are with epinephrine, the more you feel confident to go to playdates, travel, and more. It can be very freeing.
2. Focus on the positives of your epinephrine injector.
Instead of worrying about whether you’re making the wrong decision, the focus should be on how the epinephrine will help your child. This positivity isn’t something you only think about during a reaction, but it fits into long-term mindset management of how you AND YOUR CHILD feel about the epinephrine. This means this is something to focus on every day in various ways (see the next step).
3. Intentionally add the positives about the EpiPen/Auvi-Q or epinephrine injector into daily activities.
Focus on the positives of epinephrine in your everyday life. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming or hard, it just has to be intentional so you’re focusing on the right things in small ways every day. Not only does this help your confidence, but it allows your child to feel empowered and confident with the epinephrine too. And with empowerment and confidence comes independence and the ability for your child to enjoy their childhood.
Sounds good, right?
By using everyday activities to showcase the positives of epinephrine you’ll be able to stop being scared to use the EpiPen (or any injector) and you’ll also help your child feel more comfortable too!
You Can Stop Being Scared To Use Epinephrine Too.
Take heart. Reducing fear takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a bit of work, but I know as a food allergy parent YOU CAN take small, INTENTIONAL steps to change your thoughts instead of just HOPING you never have to use epinephrine for allergic reaction OR that your adrenaline will kick in and give you the courage when you need it.
Honestly, seconds count during an anaphylactic reaction. Don’t let fear stop you from using this life-saving medicine! Don’t hesitate like I did because that could lead to disastrous results. Take action now before you’re in a scary situation.
If you want help from someone who can guide you through these steps in more detail, check out my Calm Epinephrine Workshop.
In about an hour I’ll help you re-frame your mindset (and your child’s too) around epinephrine so you know when to use the EpiPen AND feel completely confident in your decision.
You’ll remove the guilt about not knowing if you made the right decision and you’ll be able to worry less about everyday activities like playdates and travel.
Go here to learn more about this life-changing workshop.
Conclusion
If you want to stop being scared to use the EpiPen or Auvi-Q (or any epinephrine injector) for food allergies, the first step is to acknowledge your fear of the injector. After that, join The Calm Epinephrine Workshop to learn how to apply the 3 steps above so you and your child feel confident when to give epinephrine for allergic reaction.
Hi there! If we haven’t met yet, my name is Corinna.
I help severe food allergy moms keep their kids safe and worry less about, school social events, and traveling. I care and believe that food allergy families deserve safe, fulfilling life experiences & delicious meals!
If you believe this too, make sure to sign up for my free top allergy-free recipe ebook. You’ll get 5 days of recipes that kids love (including breakfast, snacks, and dinner) PLUS I’ll keep you in the loop about everything that’s going on in my community. Hope to see you there!
