EpiPen® Can Save Lives
An EpiPen® injection is a type of medication that’s used when someone has a severe reaction to an allergen. For example, if you’re severely allergic to bees and get stung by one, you may need an EpiPen® injection as soon as possible to relieve your symptoms. Often, people who have potentially life-threatening allergies don’t go anywhere without an EpiPen®.
The medication in the injection is epinephrine, and it’s commonly used as an emergency medical treatment for allergic reactions that are dangerous or particularly severe. It’s very important that you know the proper way to use an EpiPen® if you may need to administer it to yourself or someone else. A medical professional can show you the proper technique and placement of the EpiPen®.
So You Need an EpiPen®…
People who need to have an EpiPen® on their person or nearby at all times probably have very severe reactions to certain types of allergens, including specific foods, drugs, insect bites or stings, or other things that may be in their environment. It may seem inconvenient to need to be near your EpiPen® at all times, but try not to think of it that way. Think of it as a miraculous, life-saving device that can be at your fingertips whenever you need it.
If you’re having a severe allergic reaction that requires using your EpiPen®, here are the symptoms you may be experiencing:
- Tightness or pain in your chest and difficulty breathing.
- Severe congestion, sneezing, coughing, or wheezing.
- A weak pulse and low blood pressure (possibly losing consciousness).
- Severe skin reactions, including a rash, hives, paleness, sweating, or itching.
- Severe swelling in the area around your mouth, including your face, lips, tongue, and throat.
- Sudden stomach issues, such as pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or cramping.
If you have to use an EpiPen® for a severe allergic reaction, your next step should be to go to the emergency room. You may need additional medical attention.
To learn more about uses for the EpiPen®, if it may be smart for you to have one, and how to properly use this medication, come talk to a medical professional at your local FastMed Urgent Care clinic. We can administer an allergy test, determine the severity of your allergies, and prescribe any medication that may be helpful for you, including an EpiPen®. Find the clinic nearest you right now.
About FastMed
FastMed is a leading provider of high-quality, convenient, affordable, and compassionate healthcare in 34 counties across North Carolina. FastMed serves both urban and rural communities across the state with a wide range of care options, including preventive, telemedicine, occupational health, and primary and urgent care. FastMed is one of the few urgent care providers in the nation that has earned The Joint Commission’s coveted Gold Seal of Approval® for quality, safety, and infection control in ambulatory healthcare. For more information, visit www.fastmed.com.