BajaNomad

I was hoping I could just do a reminder "bump"

Debra - 9-3-2008 at 01:57 PM

for this topic, but, seems the thread is too old.


I has been 3 yrs. now that I first posted "Just a reminder for us with children"

I thought I should bring this up again since my son had another episode with antifalactis (sp?) this time it was a snake bite, Boa constictor.

He's fine thanks to the Epi Pen, just covered in hives still after a month.

Anyone traveling to Baja (IMHO) shouldn't leave home without an Epi Pen. Even if you have no history, my family didn't, and if it had happened in Baja my son would be dead, no ifs, ands, or butts about it! Protect yourselves and your loved ones, small price to pay. Happy Trails!

fdt - 9-3-2008 at 02:04 PM

But were can I get one or two, don't you need a prescription?

Natalie Ann - 9-3-2008 at 02:09 PM

You need a prescription, which is easy to get... but I don't believe they are sold in Baja.

They have an expiration date which is important to pay attention to, unlike many other drugs.

I agree with Debra, except I think that everyone should travel with this form of medication.

Nena

Debra - 9-3-2008 at 02:30 PM

Soulpatch, I should have explained it better. The "hives" are really what look more like healing scars, not active, if he protects himself from the sun this summer he should be just fine.

Ferna , in the states you do need a prescription, but, as Nena said they are easy to get, all I did was explaine to my younger sons Doc. of our remote travels and that was it.

As Nena mentioned it is important to renew it every year. also, I wouldn't really count on them having it at the Clinic in Bahia (although the may, I'm not willing to take the chance)

The first line of responce should be Benadal, assuming there is no history, if hives start to show of AT ALL hit with the Pen and seek medical attention ASAP! (disclaimer: I am not a Doctor, just a Mom who's been there, done that :saint: )

If needed, and I'm around, FIND ME "Debra, Campo Gecko" most everybody knows me, and I never leave home without one!

bajaboolie - 9-3-2008 at 02:44 PM

Thanks, Debra. Your advice is very timely, as we venture down in a month. I guess you never know what those wasp & scorpion stings can do...better to be prepared.

Coatlallope - 9-3-2008 at 02:57 PM

The active ingredient in those injectors is Epinephrine, which is Adrenalin Chloride. The medicine is commonly found in all emergency rooms and ambulances. It's what they inject in heart attack patients. It's also the active ingredient in certain bronchial inhalors.

Bob and Susan - 9-3-2008 at 03:12 PM

we have several here at our place in mulege if needed...

Osprey - 9-3-2008 at 06:04 PM

Since boa constrictors don't have venom, what was it that caused the problem? Bacteria transferred from the snakes mouth? If the snake was encountered in Baja California in the wild it was likely a sand boa, non venemous, docile creature. How did the bite occur, if you don't mind.

Mulegena - 9-3-2008 at 08:59 PM

Its our experience with boas that they are secretive, nocturnal and docile creatures who must be provoked to bite a human being. They don't like being handled too much during the heat of a summer's day. Their bite will draw a bit of blood, but as it is not venomous cannot inject any substance into the body other than bacteria present on its teeth or on the body part (hand) of its "victim".

However, for other reasons entirely, perhaps its good to consider carrying an epi-pen.

bajaboolie - 9-5-2008 at 05:07 PM

I just tried to have an epi pen prescribed so we could have one in Mexico in case of emergency, and they wouldn't give it to me without a documented case of anaphylaxis.

So much for easy to get!

[Edited on 9-6-2008 by bajaboolie]

David K - 9-5-2008 at 06:00 PM

You can't get a drug if you don't need it. Naturally you have to have a doctor see that you or your child is allergic to bees or whatever...

My son had a bee allergy and we carried an epi-pen at all times. He got stung one too many times or just became allergic at that point in his life (about age 10-11) and swelled up/ hives, etc. That is when the emergency room doctor prescribed the epi pen and our family doctor kept providing refills as the pen expires. Costco pharmacy has a good price on them!

By the way, they are not available in Mexico (from what I could find) and down there benadryl seems to be the treatment of choice.



[Edited on 9-6-2008 by David K]

Bob and Susan - 9-5-2008 at 07:18 PM

boolie...
change doctors

alergys is ALL you need

Debra - 9-9-2008 at 01:44 PM

Osprey, Don't mind at all,

I was surprized that the bite had the reaction it did too, don't know why, as I do know that Boas don't have venom. It was a friends pet, normally very docile, but, for some reason she didn't what Dustin to handel her......so she let him have it! My son isn't really all that comfortable with reptiles and I think she probably senced that.

CaboRon - 9-9-2008 at 02:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Debra
Osprey, Don't mind at all,

I was surprized that the bite had the reaction it did too, don't know why, as I do know that Boas don't have venom. It was a friends pet, normally very docile, but, for some reason she didn't what Dustin to handel her......so she let him have it! My son isn't really all that comfortable with reptiles and I think she probably senced that.


Boas don't have venom,

But they can really give you a nasty bite.

CaboRon

mulegemichael - 9-10-2008 at 11:16 AM

I can speak first hand to the value of epipens as i've used one three different times for bee stings...on one occasion i was legally dead and a massive injection of epinephrine brought me back...AND...you never know when you'll all of a sudden be allergic to something; it just happens sometimes...so a couple in your car, a couple in your house, a couple in your tackle box....you should always have two, as the directions suggest you inject yourself twice...one time, i was so panicky that i punched it into my leg so hard i bent the needle over...oops!...but i'm alive..and fishing!