epipen Archives - Lifelab Testing

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Do you know how to use an EpiPen?

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

How to use your EpiPen

The EpiPen user guide explains that using an EpiPen doesn’t have to be too difficult. If you have been prescribed an EpiPen by your doctor then you need to familiarise yourself with the simple user’s guide. If you or someone you know looks like they are going into anaphylactic shock, then you need to administer epinephrine in order to stop anaphylaxis.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxisitself is a severe allergic reaction which can have devastating consequences. Reactions usually begin within a couple of minutes and it is essential you treat it right away. Watch out for swelling of the glands, widespread flushing of the skin, and also nettle rash! Common signs of anaphylaxis, particularly when peanuts are involved include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. An allergy test may help you to identify what your symptoms are and what is causing them, but it will not cure your allergies.

How do you do it?

So, how do you use an EpiPen?

1) Remove the Pen

Hold your EpiPen and unscrew the yellow cap from the container, then you should slide out the EpiPen.

2) Remove the Gray Safety Cap

Take off the grey safety cap from the back of the EpiPen. If you do not do this, then it will not work as the cap has to be removed.

3) Inject the Epinephrine

You do not have to remove any clothes in order to use the EpiPen. Hold the EpiPen with your hand in a fist, and then press the black, rounded tip hard into the thigh. Count to ten whilst you hold the instrument in place. Remember it can penetrate the clothing.

4) Immediately call 999

If you are experiencing an allergic reaction then you should immediately call 999. Even if you don’t think it is an allergic reaction, you should never take a risk, especially as epinephrine is only a quick fix. Sometimes, it could even be necessary to provide a second dose of epinephrine.

Remember, and we must emphasise this, please dispose of the epinephrine properly. Do not just chuck it away.

Allergy testing is essential

With food allergies becoming more common in children, there is a massive need for people to be aware of what to do. Many doctors recommend that parents always carry automatic epinephrine injectors that can be used if their child has an anaphylactic reaction. The same applies if they were an adult.

An allergy test can help you to identify your allergies or intolerances but do you know what to do if you have an allergic reaction? Depending on your allergies and reactions, it is likely that you will have to use an EpiPen.

If you would like further information on ordering an allergy test or an intolerance test, then please do not hesitate to check out our website at www.lifelabtesting.com.

Am I Having an Allergic Reaction that needs Emergency Treatment?

Posted on by Kate Young

The subject of allergy testing is a very pertinent one at this moment in time, as a number of high-profile deaths have been caused by incorrect allergy labelling at one of the UK’s largest sandwich shop chains. What these tragedies serve to highlight is that allergic reactions are a very real threat to health and to life itself. The most worrying thing is that without allergy testing, none of us really know if we’re at risk and if we can’t trust food manufacturers’ own labels about what their food contains, there’s a question that needs to be asked: If I’m having one, am I having an allergic reaction that needs emergency treatment?

The fact is that an allergic reaction to any given food type can develop at any point in our lives, which means that recognising the signs of a reaction is a good thing to know. Allergy testing, which can be used to effectively determine foods that your body has a problem dealing with, is something that we’ll elaborate on, but right now, we’ll look at the telltale signs that you’re having a reaction.

Signs of an Allergic Reaction

Without wishing to overplay the facts, being able to spot the symptoms associated with anaphylactic shock – the most severe type of reaction – and administer an EpiPen or other relevant medication, can in all truth, save yours or someone else’s life. In this situation, every moment counts.

Symptoms can vary a lot from one person to the next and each separate reaction can even manifest differently in the same person. However, all of the most common types to look out for, tend to fall within the following group:

● Itchiness in the mouth or throat.

● Any type of difficulty in breathing, such as wheezing or coughing.

● Difficulty swallowing.

● Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pain.

● An itchy redness to the skin, including raised red bumps, hives or welts.

● Mental confusion.

● Tightness or discomfort in the chest.

● Lightheadedness or dizziness.

● Low blood pressure, rapid pulse or heart palpitations.

● Fainting or loss of consciousness.

Important note: If you encounter any of the symptoms from the above list, it should be considered as an emergency and treated as anaphylaxis. This would usually involve the use of an EpiPen and calling an ambulance via 999, even if the symptoms pass. 

Biphasic anaphylaxis is something that can come back even stronger after a few hours and getting medical attention is highly recommended. Don’t assume that everything’s ok, consult a medical professional as soon as possible.

Take Control

In order to manage food allergies properly, you need to know exactly what your body is allergic to. That’s where allergy testing comes in and at Lifelab Testing, we provide laboratory blood screening services from as little as £74.99. You’ll be tested against 25 key food and drink allergies, which will give you all you need to know about what foods to avoid and enable you to create strategies for coping with an attack.

Find out more about allergy testing and the wide range of services we provide on our website or give us a call now on 01332 32 18 92.

Click here to give our gluten-free halloween sweets blog a read.