*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??)

[nursejoy1, ASN, RN]

Not really an allergy, but- When I was in labor with my son (now 12 years old), I was given Demerol. It made me temporarily lose control of my left arm. It would lift up out and I had absolutely no control. I always thought that was weird.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

One pt. told me he was allergic to women.

Another said "Crustaceans".

[Ranui]

had a pt once tell she was allergic to saline.

lol i had a patient tell me that too! :icon_roll

[twistedpupchaser]

I have heard of drug users getting alert bracelets stating an allergy to Narcan.

Me, I am allergic to work, pain, my missus nagging.....

[StrwbryblndRN]

we will list ibuprofen as a allergy for our kidney patients. Anything that the patient will not take under any circumstances we will list there. Mainly because it is the best source to avoid meds. If it comes up the pt needs it we will confer if it is an allergy or not and the md will discuss it to see if the pros out way the cons. Also when we list the "allergy" it will say what the reaction is too or reason for avoidance.

Whether the pt is allergic or not if they are not willing or unable to take a med, I agree to list it as an allergy.

I would hate for my child to get tylenol when it is contraindicated but not necessarily an allergy.

And I do not think that the pt should have to go to the allergist to see if they are allergic. If they do not want to take it they do not have to. Who cares how it is listed.

[Pudnluv, ASN, RN]

Speaking of allergies, How does one know they are allergic to Sux or Epi?? Always found that to be curious.

I had a reaction to sux during my gall bladder surgery several years ago. Apparently, I didn't clear it from system in the normal time frame and had to be re-intubated for several hours. It wasn't so bad for me, cause I was out and unaware of what was going on, but it was pretty scary for my husband. I don't know if this is considered an allergic reaction or just an adverse reaction, but I list it as an allergy now. And the only way to know, is to have it used on you. Unfortunately, that's how I found out.

[tryingtohaveitall]

These are very entertaining.

To the PP about being allergic to almonds and not peanuts, different categories. Peanuts are legumes, almonds are tree nuts. :)

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

i love the ones that come in with an allergy list of most FDA approved drugs, i almost want to tell them.......why did you come into the hospital, there is no drug we can give you......lol

[RNAnnjeh, MSN, CNS]

My MIL swears she's allergic to alcohol b/c it makes her feel funny

I broke out in hives while cat-sitting a hairless Rex, so yes it is possible. Add that to peanuts, clams and blue food dye...all adult onset by the way....

Aren't allergies fun?

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

we will list ibuprofen as a allergy for our kidney patients. Anything that the patient will not take under any circumstances we will list there. Mainly because it is the best source to avoid meds. If it comes up the pt needs it we will confer if it is an allergy or not and the md will discuss it to see if the pros out way the cons. Also when we list the "allergy" it will say what the reaction is too or reason for avoidance.

Whether the pt is allergic or not if they are not willing or unable to take a med, I agree to list it as an allergy.

I would hate for my child to get tylenol when it is contraindicated but not necessarily an allergy.

And I do not think that the pt should have to go to the allergist to see if they are allergic. If they do not want to take it they do not have to. Who cares how it is listed.

Again, obviously if there is a good reason not to take something, list it as an allergy. That goes without saying!

This thread was meant to be amusing. Lighten up, huh?

[Pudnluv, ASN, RN]

I love the patients that come in and have listed a ton of psych meds as allergies. Makes me think, hmmmm, you must have had to take those to know you were allergic. Right next to those allergies are usually every antibiotic known to man!

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

*Is still laughing about the yellow snow*

I had a patient tell me they were allergic to soap, any kind and it was obvious they thought so too! :omy:

OK I have to finish the yellow snow story. We transport this woman to the hospital about 45 miles away (rural area). About halfway there, she gets all panicky and starts to yell about her water bottles--of course she is in C-spine precautions which probably made it worse. Turns out she says she is allergic to all water except water she gets from a "special spring"--never mind that she had had Guardia twice in the past few mths. Nothing would appease her--she wanted us to stop and turn around the ambulance and drive back 25 miles to her rolled over car so we could pick up her water bottles. When I told her we couldn't do that, she demanded that we stop the ambulance and take her out of Cspine so she could hitch hike back to pick up the water. Then she said she would call 911 again to get "another ride to the hospital". So I appeased her by telling her I would call the CHP (Hiway Patrol) and THEY would bring her special water. We arrive at the hospital, unload her quickly and give report to those lucky ER nurses and fill out our paperwork. Then I heard the loud booming voice of the CHP officer that we feared the most, yelling out "Who told her I would bring her the water she is not allergic to?" Our solution? Grab our paperwork, dive for the door and jump into our rig while he looks for us...laughing hysterically all the way.

But the CHP officer got the last laugh...he knew what route I took home and sat there the next day, waiting for me to drive by, and pulled me over for doing 5 mph over the speed limit....didn't give me a ticket but read me the riot act about what happened the day before...didn't help much because I laughed andd giggled during his lecture...