*Weird* Patient Allergies

Published

What are some of the weird allergies/reactions that patients have told you they have? I can't remember so many that made me go "hmmmmm.." but not long ago, I came across these two (on the same person!):

Caffeine: causes tachycardia (really?)

Cocaine: anaphylaxis (perhaps you took too much??)

I know we've all had the pt who's allergic to most pain meds. I am one of those who is actually allergic to all nsaids, I have severe asthmatic reactions to them. It's fairly common with people who have asthma and nasal polyps. I certainly have gotten the "look" from nurses and docs when I tell them though. It does make me get a bit more history when pts tell me they are allergic.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a pt that said they were allergic to saline. They were probably allergic to the preservatives in the saline, so they said. However, the saline we use at our hospital is 100% preservative free. Weird. Bananas is the other weird one that I have heard. And more than once believe it or not!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a patient tell me they were allergic to Benadryl...?? Ironically, she took Tylenol PM to help her sleep at night... :p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

My mother is allergic to the preservatives in Neosporin cream. The antibiotic part she's ok with, as well as the petroleum base. Just the preservative...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a pt that said she was allergic to an antibiotic, (I don't remember which one) when I asked her reaction to it, she told me she gets a yeast infection when she takes it!:bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care.
I'm allergic to onions. No one at my hosp believed me till I got one on a pizza by accident and wound up in the ER

Thats Weird! Me Too!!!! and no one ever believes me. Everyone always says " you just don't like them." Your allergy does sound more severe than mine. I just get a localized rash if I touch them and get EXTREME GI distress. I never realized how much onion is in, until I had a problem (ranch, soups, sauces, crackers, the list goes on). I am so thankful it is not gluten or wheat, that must be difficult. CAT

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

Where's a 'little old lady emoticon' when ya need one?

Had one that stated she is allergic to fresh air -- it gives her pneumonia so she keeps her windows closed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retired OR nurse/Tissue bank technician.

My mom is allergic to epoxies and Balsam of Peru. We'd never heard of Balsam of Peru until she had some bloodwork done to look for more...exotic allergies, as she some environmental allergies, but none that would explain her painful and itchy head-to-toe rash and blistering lesions.

Here's a list of a good number of things that contain BoP:http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/balsam-of-peru-allergy.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retired OR nurse/Tissue bank technician.

I've heard more than a few people tell me they're allergic to ASA. When asked what the reaction was, they say it gives them an upset stomach.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatric, Rehab, Med Surg, Telematry.

My sister was allergic to the cold. Cold Urticaria. The person with the poinsetta allergy, are you allergic to latex?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retired OR nurse/Tissue bank technician.
Speaking of allergies, How does one know they are allergic to Sux or Epi?? Always found that to be curious.

I am a slow metabolizer of sux, so a dose that would put most people down for 10-15 minutes kept me paralyzed for over an hour and a half.

I found out when I woke up from a 15 minute procedure and discovered it was nearly 2 hours from when I had been wheeled into the OR. It's not a true allergy, but it's the easiest way for me to describe it.

The other way to know of a sux allergy would be waking up in ICU after a minor procedure because you developed malignant hyperthermia during the surgery from the sux and/or the inhaled anaesthetics.

As for an allergy to epi? No such thing, since your body produces the hormone on its own; the person may be allergic to the preservatives or the rubber in the top of the bottle, but not the actual epi.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retired OR nurse/Tissue bank technician.
Today I was taking care of a woman who called me into her room to show me a rash she had broken out in. My first thought was to look into what meds I gave. She told me it wasn't any of her meds. It was her dentures. She says that everytime she puts them in her mouth she breaks out in hives. I didn't know what to say after that. Definitely a first.

My guess is that it could be the epoxy or some of the other chemicals used in making the dentures. Either that, or she's allergic to something in the cleaning agents she uses on her false teeth.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion