I was somewhat reluctant to post, but I wanted to share a perspective from the patient side. I would strongly encourage anyone who might be called upon to assist during a severe allergic reaction to become familiar with how to use EpiPens before an emergency occurs. There are online training programs, most of which are aimed at K12.

People are often eager to help; one of the most common mistakes is accidental self-injection. This can be serious, requiring immediate attention and, at the same time, leaves the person experiencing anaphylaxis without the medication they need.

If you use an EpiPen, you usually have a personal emergency plan and carry multiple injectors. That said, having companions, faculty, or field leaders who can recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis and administer an EpiPen correctly can make a critical difference. Training and preparation are far more effective than trying to learn during an emergency. Also, epinephrine should never be used if you don’t understand what is happening and the person is not experiencing an allergic reaction.

Pam Mabrouk

p.mabrouk**At_Symbol_Here**northeastern.edu

Good afternoon,

And sometimes people are allergic to Benadryl – I am!!

Ruth Ann Cook Murphy, PhD

Professor of Chemistry

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

900 College Street

Belton, TX 76513

(254) 295-4542

EXTERNAL Exercise Caution

Good afternoon,

Our faculty have asked quite a bit about what to do when they are out in the field, far from medical care and out of cell service, and need an Epi Pen for a student or faculty member who gets stung by a bee and has an unknown allergy?

Has anyone encountered a similar scenario or have any ideas?  Last year we had a student who stepped on a hornet nest and was stung many times and had an unknown allergy, so we are trying to plan ahead for any future issues.  

We do have Benadryl in the field first aid kits, but this could be a very dangerous situation.  

Thank you,

Shannon

SHANNON C. NEPHEW, 

MS, CSM, CCHO

Chemical Hygiene Officer, Hudson Hall Science Complex Building Manager

Laboratory Safety Professional

Hudson Hall 317

101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

(o) 518-593-9612

plattsburgh.edu

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