When to use an Epi-pen?

[Anonymous]

My toddler was just diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy and was prescribed an epi-pen. The appt kind of ended in a mess b/c my son was sobbing hysterically and it was really hard to talk with the dr. It also took me some time to think of more questions for her. Anyway, what sort of reaction warrants using an epi-pen? The two times DS had peanuts, he had a very mild reaction which disappeared in 1/2 hour. Will it be totally obvious if we need to use an epi-pen?

[Anonymous]

If your child starts to have any trouble breathing - wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, even voice changes - that is the number one indication. Also, widespread hives (not just hives in a few areas), or any involvement of more than one body system (for instance, nausea/vomiting combined with hives). Remember, it is better to err on the side of caution. If you think your child *may* need the EpiPen, it is better to use it and take the child to the ER than to sit and wonder. You can't hurt someone by giving the EpiPen, but you can hurt them by waiting when they need it.

HTH.

Mom of food allergic 6-year-old who has, unfortunately, had to use the EpiPen

[Anonymous]

Please talk to your child's allergist and make sure you are educated on this. Allergic reactions can look very different in different people. I would make a separate apointment and leave your toddler at home. You can't mess around with this. A mild reaction now may be full blown the next time. I have adult food allergies and speak from experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please talk to your child's allergist and make sure you are educated on this. Allergic reactions can look very different in different people. I would make a separate apointment and leave your toddler at home. You can't mess around with this. A mild reaction now may be full blown the next time. I have adult food allergies and speak from experience.

Agree totally with this suggestion. DS's allergist told us to use the epi-pen whenever he has a reaction-- It's impossible to know how severe a reaction will become. Neither the amount of the exposure in any given instance nor the severity of previous reactions is predictive.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the above posters. Call and wither make an appointment or ask the doctor to call you back to discuss it when your child is otherwise occupied.

My pediatrician basically gave us a menu: it was use the epi if there is one of the symptoms on the left side or 2 (or maybe 3) on the right side.

My child only had one reaction (before we got the epi) and never had another and the allergy tests didn't reveal what caused it (low positives for almost everything tested) so we've never actually had to use the epi and the doc says we don't have to carry it anymore, so my memory is a little rusty on the specifics.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for responding. Sounds like we definitely need to chat with the dr again sans screaming child, so I'll make an appt. I just feel so nervous and overwhelmed by the whole thing, but know in time we'll get used to it, right?

[Anonymous]

Here is a link to the Food Allergy Action plan template, published by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (which is about to be your new best friend, if you haven't joined already): http://www.foodallergy.org/files/FAAP.pdf. This is a good starting point for you, and your allergist can help customize it to your son.

09:51 gives you good advice: when in doubt, give the EpiPen. It won't injure him to get it, but it might hurt to wait.

And yes, it will get easier. My DC is almost 12 and food allergies have just been a routine part of our lives for a long time now.