Two children allergic to tree nuts and peanut butter/Epipen?!
Question: I am going to be babysitting two children (6 and 9) who are allergic to nuts. Their mother told me where the Epipen and benadryl is, but I've never used an epipen before. I looked up on the website how to use it, but it only gave instructions on how to use it on yourself. I assume they both know how to use it, but if they have an allergic reaction while I'm there, how am I supposed to use it on them? Do I still jab their thigh with it? Or is something else better? Thank you!
Answers: I am going to be babysitting two children (6 and 9) who are allergic to nuts. Their mother told me where the Epipen and benadryl is, but I've never used an epipen before. I looked up on the website how to use it, but it only gave instructions on how to use it on yourself. I assume they both know how to use it, but if they have an allergic reaction while I'm there, how am I supposed to use it on them? Do I still jab their thigh with it? Or is something else better? Thank you!
In any case, if the child has an allergic reaction (wheezing, itching etc) you are going to have to take control of the situation. They'll probably be too frantic to sit and think about what they have to do (they're very small!)
If you think the child is having an allergic reaction (or if they tell you they're having an allergic reaction), ask them what they've been around; that way, you can check. If you're not sure, go ahead and assume it's a reaction. In my experience, sometimes items that don't appear to have nuts always have some sort of trace to them.
I would recommend using Benadryl as your first option, depending on how bad the situation is. If the child has mild itching, or complains of an itchiness, give them some Benadryl, and watch them. If it doesn't go down, or his/her condition worsens, you'll have to use the Epipen.
As the person before said, you'll have to "jab" it into their thigh. I would actually recommend doing it somewhere where the child can't see the needle, or distracting the child before you insert the needle =>they tend to panic when they see sharp things (I have three younger siblings).
Of course, your best option is to just put all items with nuts away, and make sure that the surroundings of the children are clean (wipe off table surfaces etc.) That way, there will be a lower chance of an allergic attack!
Good luck with your babysitting job! :]
If they start wheezing or itching and you know they had contact with peanut butter, just take the cap off the Epipen, pull their pants down, and jab it against the outer part of their thigh. The needle will pop out and stick into the muscle. You will absolutely have to do this for them, they will be too panicked to do it themselves if they are having a serious allergic reaction!
Thigh would be better than the eye. If they are allergic to nuts, why would they have them in the house? Keep them away from the nuts and the epipen.