When do you need an EpiPen for a bee sting?

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to a bee sting, your doctor will prescribe you an epinephrine auto-injector such as EpiPen. This should be carried with you at all times and is used to treat anaphylactic reactions.

When should an EpiPen be prescribed?

EpiPen is the brand name of an auto-injectable device that delivers the drug epinephrine. It is a life-saving medication used when someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis.

When should you not use an EpiPen?

The American Academy of Pediatrics report reveals that people wait too long to use EpiPen and other epinephrine auto-injectors because they might not recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis—which include difficulty breathing, throat swelling, and wheezing—or aren’t sure they’re having an attack.

How do I know if I need an EpiPen?

When is an EpiPen Used?

1. Skin rash.
2. Nausea or vomiting.
3. Trouble breathing.
4. Dizziness or fainting.
5. Swollen tongue or throat.
6. Low blood pressure.
7. In extreme cases, difficulty breathing, and shock.

Does Benadryl help with bee stings?

If itching or swelling is bothersome, take an oral antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine. Avoid scratching the sting area. This will worsen itching and swelling and increase your risk of infection.

What happens if you use an EpiPen without needing it?

An accidental injection to the hands or feet can impair blood flow to these areas and can potentially cause tissue death. This however, is the worst-case scenario. Symptoms of an accidental injection are not usually so severe and may include: temporary numbness or tingling.

Do you have to go to the hospital after using an EpiPen?

Why you should go to the emergency room after using the EpiPen. You should always be checked out at the ER after using your EpiPen. That is not because of the epinephrine, but because the allergic reaction probably requires further monitoring.

What happens if you use an EpiPen and don’t go to the hospital?

Use your EpiPen at the first sign of anaphylaxis. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life threatening. Always call 911 or go to the emergency room after using your EpiPen.

What happens if you take an EpiPen without needing it?

Can you have delayed reaction bee sting?

People can have a wide range of reactions to stings from these kinds of insects. Delayed reaction. Sometimes you may not experience a reaction until 4 hours or longer after the sting occurs. At that point you may begin to experience hives, fever, joint pain, swelling, and headache.

How much Benadryl should I take for a bee sting?

3. Take over-the-counter antihistamines: In the morning, take a non-sedating antihistamine such as loratadine, 10 mg daily. At night, take diphenhydramine (Benadryl), 25 mg, 1 or 2 every 6 hours for itching and swelling.

When to use EpiPen, at what point and why?

EpiPen is used for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), such as in allergic stages 3 or 4. EpiPen is for instant life-saving treatment followed by emergency care. Allergic reactions are one of the most ambiguous medical conditions you can go through. Starting with mild symptoms, allergic reactions can become worse very quickly.

How big do you have to be to get an EpiPen?

Patients greater than or equal to 30 kg (approximately 66 pounds or more): EpiPen 0.3 mg. •. Patients 15 to 30 kg (33 pounds to 66 pounds): EpiPen Jr 0.15 mg. Inject EpiPen or EpiPen Jr intramuscularly or subcutaneously into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, through clothing if necessary.

How much epinephrine is in an EpiPen Jr?

Since the dose of epinephrine delivered from EpiPen Jr® is fixed at 0.15 mg, consider other forms of injectable epinephrine if you feel doses lower than 0.15 mg are necessary (eg, children weighing <15 kg). The EpiPen® Auto-Injector 0.3 mg (adult formulation) is recommended.

What are the dosing guidelines for the EpiPen® auto injector?

The EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injector delivers a single intramuscular dose of 0.15 mg epinephrine in a 0.3 mL volume (0.15 mg/0.3 mL). Since the dose of epinephrine delivered from EpiPen Jr® is fixed at 0.15 mg, consider other forms of injectable epinephrine if you feel doses lower than 0.15 mg are necessary (eg, children weighing <15 kg).