With food allergies so common in children today, many doctors recommend that parents carry automatic epinephrine injectors to use if their child develops anaphylaxis, a severe type of allergic reaction. Similarly, allergists recommend that adults with severe allergies also carry epinephrine injectors at all times.
You may never need to use an epinephrine auto-injector on yourself or your child, but it’s critical to be prepared just in case. Allergic reactions are unpredictable and can progress to life-threatening anaphylaxis rapidly. Knowing how and when to administer epinephrine can mean the difference between life and death.
This article covers what epinephrine is and the symptoms of anaphylaxis to look out for. It also includes step-by-step instructions on how to use an EpiPen epinephrine auto-injector, as well as several safety tips for anyone with severe allergies.