Briefing the Best Friend
Dear FAANTeen,
What can you do when your best friend doesn’t want to learn how to use an epinephrine auto-injector? My friend says that needles gross her out, and she won’t let me teach her how to use an EpiPen®. I don’t think it’s worth ending our friendship, but I’d like to know that she can help me if something were to happen while we were out together.
Some people are afraid of needles just like some people are afraid of spiders and snakes. You wouldn’t make your friend sleep in a room full of snakes if she was afraid of them, so you can’t make her use your EpiPen® on you. I have had two roommates and a boyfriend who were grossed out by needles. But they all knew how to help me in an emergency. Your friend cares about you—she’s just not comfortable being around needles. So, be happy that your friend was honest and told you about not being comfortable with your EpiPen®. It is better to find out now, rather than during a life-threatening experience. Here are some steps for you and your friend to help keep you safe.
Step 1: Tell your friend about your food allergy. Tell her what foods trigger your allergies and what happens to you during a reaction. Do you get hives? Do you swell? Tell her all of the signs of a reaction, so that if you have one, she will recognize it and help.
Step 2: Be prepared. Tell her where you keep your EpiPen® and Benadryl®. The medicine needs to get to you before she does anything else. If you don’t know how to use it, or you aren’t comfortable with it yet, ask your allergist for help. Allergists and nurses will be more than willing to practice with you.
Step 3: Make sure your friend knows where you keep a list of emergency phone numbers. The first one needs to be 9-1-1. The next numbers should be to reach your parents or guardians. I, personally, have my brother next, then my allergist, and then my primary care doctor.
These are simple steps that your friend should be able to do. If she refuses to fetch your EpiPen® and emergency contact list, and to make a couple of phone calls, then you really need to have a serious talk about your food allergy. Don’t yell or be mean when you talk to her; be friendly, but make sure she understands that this is extremely important and her only job is to bring your medication to you, call 9-1-1, and call your parents. Always have your medicines with you, and be as smart as you can be while having fun!
Pam is a sophomore pre-med student at Philadelphia University. She enjoys field hockey, running, snowboarding, and relaxing. She is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and soy.
Comments
The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
