*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??)

[LouisVRN, RN]

I once had a patient tell me he was allergic to snow crab - I told him he was safe at the hospital/

[mightymitern]

I've had pt's tell me they're allergic to water and can only drink the bottled stuff. hmmm I wonder if their bodies are made out of the bottled water as well.

[TDCHIM]

I'm allergic to kiwi. It makes my mouth and throat itch and I break out in a rash around my mouth. It's too bad, because I really used to like kiwi. My sister and I both have this reaction, and for many years while we were kids, we never realized there was a problem - we just figured that was the way everyone reacted to eating kiwi! No latex allergy for either of us, though....

I also had a full-bore anaphylactic episode over codeine about ten years ago. It was at the very beginning of my serious back problems, and my doc prescribed Tylenol 3 for me. I took one, and about 15 minutes later I was in the car with my throat closing, swollen face and hands, and itching like crazy. My roommate did 50 mph through small-town streets to get me there (neither of us thought of the squad - ah, 21-year-old tunnel vision). Ever since that day I've done two things: 1. Avoided codeine like the plague, and 2. Kept Benadryl in both liquid and pill form in the house at all times!

[flashpoint]

A hospital in my area banned all "pine" products because a housekeeper had a near fatal reaction to pine needles in a floral arrangement. Florists in the area know not to put any pine needles in arrangements and if staff finds pine needles in an arrangement, they are immediately taken out of the bulding.

Sometimes it is easier to say you are allergic to something rather than explain that you just aren't willing to experience the side effects. I HATE the way morphine makes me feel...I don't get any pain relief with it, it makes me do things like sing and giggle and see cats on leashes...then I get a rebound headache. It's just easier to say I am allergic to it. I do much better with Toradol every time I get a migraine that I can't control at home. Same with food "allergies." Bananas, ice cream, roast beef, and chicken all give me chest pain...worse than normal heartburn and nausea, so if I claim to be allergic, I don't have to worry about it.

I am allergic to horseradish (found that out after eating shrimp with cocktail sauce one New Year's Eve at work). I'm also alllergic to blueberries and grapes...and Nexium...and latex...and phenergan...and a few antibiotics.

[bekindtokittens]

Among the list of numerous allergies my patient gave me...dopamine.

[jennifers]

Hospital gowns. :)

Another pt told me they were allergic to "dust"...yeah who isnt?

[NursePiggy]

My brother is allergic to apples, plums, peaches, and cherries. Seriously! Depending on how much of it he eats, the results range from swollen lips/tongue and itchy throat to difficulty breathing. Didn't think those fruits were in the same family either...do they have something in common that I don't know about?

[TDCHIM]

My brother is allergic to apples, plums, peaches, and cherries. Seriously! Depending on how much of it he eats, the results range from swollen lips/tongue and itchy throat to difficulty breathing. Didn't think those fruits were in the same family either...do they have something in common that I don't know about?

It's probably what's known as Oral Allergy Syndrome. Here's a link to a story about it; there's also a fair amount of info out on the net: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2007/12/11/a-pesky-allergy-to-fruit-and-vegetables.html

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

A patient I had had one allergy that sticks out. Pickle Juice. Not cucumbers or dill or garlic... Just pickle juice.