Epi-pen ?s

sapphiremom13

So we were prescribed an epi pen yesterday, for DS's severe dairy allergy. I described the reaction he had when a tiny drop hit his skin, and pedi and I both thought I should have one. On the paper work for daycare, there is a checklist. It states if allergen is ingested and no symptoms, give Benadryl. It then has a checklist of symptoms and for hives and vomiting, epinephrine is checked, not Benadryl. This seems extreme, but maybe it's because he's a baby and can't describe? Or because things could change so rapidly? I plan to ask the pedi, but of course it's Saturday. I thought some of you knowledgable ladies might know. TIA!

lrn327

Is it if he has hives OR vomiting or hives AND vomiting?  If it's the latter then it's checked because it's a combination of symptoms.  If the former, possibly because he's so young and it's hard to check for other symptoms that an older child might be able to tell you or show you (tongue swelling, pain or itchiness in mouth, trouble breathing).  For my child, if hives or vomiting alone then Benedryl, if trouble breathing or severe facial swelling then Epi, if a combo of any symptoms then Epi.  You should definitely ask your pedi but hopefully this will help a bit in the meantime.  Hope this makes sense!  

And btw, not always, but commonly dairy is outgrown. My DS was diagnosed at 9 months (horrible hives if they didn't wipe the high chair trays down properly!) but at 2.5 years, our only task is how to convince him now that he can really drink cow milk now when he's only ever had soy!   

sapphiremom13

Thanks!  Great to hear your DS outgrew it, hopefully we will have the same luck.

lrn327

Hopefully so!!!

mrsannie

We were given Epi-pens at 10 months old and told to use them for any reaction other that just hives. Vomiting alone can be a sign of an anaphylactic reaction so it's better to be safe than sorry. 

Sarelnad

lrn327:

Is it if he has hives OR vomiting or hives AND vomiting?  If it's the latter then it's checked because it's a combination of symptoms.  If the former, possibly because he's so young and it's hard to check for other symptoms that an older child might be able to tell you or show you (tongue swelling, pain or itchiness in mouth, trouble breathing).  For my child, if hives or vomiting alone then Benedryl, if trouble breathing or severe facial swelling then Epi, if a combo of any symptoms then Epi.  You should definitely ask your pedi but hopefully this will help a bit in the meantime.  Hope this makes sense!  

And btw, not always, but commonly dairy is outgrown. My DS was diagnosed at 9 months (horrible hives if they didn't wipe the high chair trays down properly!) but at 2.5 years, our only task is how to convince him now that he can really drink cow milk now when he's only ever had soy!   

we were given the same instructions as this for our LO too.  I hope he grows out of it like your LO did.