*Weird* Patient Allergies

[cherrybreeze]

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??)

[Peri]

I thought "Squid" was a strange allergy but then I read the posts on here.

I do like the ones where the patient says "Penicillin - it makes me sick!"

[Peri]

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.

Don't understand why they would give you the "look". It's a well documented phenomenon - lots of asthmatics can be allergic to NSAIDS.

Here in the UK, Drs will not prescribe NSAIDS if the patient has a history of Asthma, that is unless they have taken them before with no problems

[morte, LPN, LVN]

For people on MAOI antidepressants, tyramine in any size dose can be dangerous, if not fatal due to how the medication works on the body.

I've been on MAOIs for a few years and I admit I've stretched my food choices beyond what the 'safe list' says I should and so far, I've been lucky. A friend, on the other hand, ate a piece of cheese that had had that little bit of white stuff that sometimes grows on cheese and within no time at all was on the floor with a BP of 300/150. She spent several days in ICU and more time on a regular ward.

MAOIs can be very effective, particularly with atypical depressions, but because of the dietary issues, many patients don't want to take them.

there are also those of us who have tyramine induced migraine....not fatal, but darned painful.....and as "retired" noted it seems to vary in intensity, i can eat "a" banana, or "a" small choc bar......but too much/many things too close to ea other, (think peanut butter cup, banana) and 8-10 hours later...OUCH.....on the other hand 1/3-1/2 glass of red wine same thing...

antihistamine pre eating help

[kat von b]

a friend of mine is allergic to.......christmas trees!!!!

fakes ones are fine but if he even goes near a real one....look out!

[C_K_GrodeckLPN]

What, ya think??? Of course caffeine causes tachycardia:heartbeat & the cocaine... what the heck was the pt on cocaine?!?!? Must be an addict:nono::icon_roll

[olifant]

I had one of my patients who was allergic to human hair, how weird can you be.

[C_K_GrodeckLPN]

What did the pt. do, shave everything?

[csw5048]

I had a pt. that was allergic to benadryl and epinepherine. I wonder what they take for other allergies.

[lindaloo51]

My grandson is allergic to Pine tree pollen. He develops a rash and his eyes swell. He gets really congested. So what do we have by our front door? Three huge pine trees. Luckily, they only pollinate every other year. While they are doing their thing, he uses the back door and his sister has to mow the lawn.

When he was younger, he used a hair product like butch wax to make the front of his hair stand up. He then sat watching tv with his hands on his cheeks. About 2 hours later, the sitter brought him to me at the hospital with huge hives on his face in the shape of his hands and his eyes swollen shut. Of course the company that made the product would not release the ingredients and said that there was nothing in their product that anyone could possibly be allergic to.

[troop742]

Christmas trees are not that strange an allergy. I was told it was the mold, as they are cut so far ahead of time, and have a chance to grow. A fresh tree in the house will make me wheeze, and if I am silly enough to be holding the trunk to steady it to put in the holder, I have broken out in hives.

[allygrl510]

I LOVE THIS THREAD. After working last noc, it was the perfect thing to read and laugh at!

My boyfriend avoids pills at all cost, but a couple years ago he was complaining of an awful sore throat at our friend's house, before we headed out for the evening. Our friend offered him ibuprofen several times, until he finally gave in and took some so he'd feel better and have fun that night. We left for the bar right after that, and while sitting across from him, watched his one eye begin to swell! Very strange reaction, and affirmed his stance on avoiding meds (which is great when dating a nurse- haha)!

My pt last noc had potassium listed as an allergy too! Just one of those you roll your eyes at when you read it.

[nikki.p]

I had someone that was allergic to cherries. I also take care of someone that is violently allergic to any lobster or crabs, but fish is ok. I thought the cherries were weird though, I have never heard of that one before.