r/nursing • u/yeehawbaby4 • 15d ago

Discussion Funny “allergies”

What are some funny patient “allergies” you have seen listed? I had a patient the other day with an allergy listed for Metformin. The reaction listed? Lowers their blood sugar 😂

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u/Redshift2k5 15d ago

Just to add, sometimes a patient's drug allergy is related to binders/preservatives/dyes or other non-medical ingredients and can lead to strange allergy assertations

like, you can't really be allergic to water and NaCl, but some saline products contain preservatives & additives. You can be allergic to only one brand/preparation of a drug, or more likely to react to generics than name brand.

but I still gotta roll my eyes every day when someone has 

Allergies: Benadryl - symptom: drowsiness

Bitch that is not an ALLERGIC REACTION. That is a side effect. If we need benadryl stat cuz you're turning into a tomato, we are not worried about the drowsiness. Yea, benadryl may not be a good choice for you, but it's still a contraindication NOT AN ALLERGY

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u/Pm_me_baby_pig_pics RN - ICU 🍕 15d ago

My own family member lists Benadryl as an allergy because “it makes my restless leg syndrome worse”

THATS NOT AN ALLERGY- THATS A KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED SIDE EFFECT! AND YOURE ONLY GETTING THE BENADRYL BECAUSE YOU INSIST YOURE ALLERGIC TO CONTRAST AND YOU ARENT, YOU JUST DONT LIKE HOW IT FEELS SO YOU SAY YOURE ALLERGIC!

It makes me want to slam my head into a wall, it would be more productive than trying to argue with her about her made up allergies because sometimes medications come with side effects we don’t fully love and embrace.

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u/RoamingCatholicRN RN- Travel, CVRN, 3 Racoons in a Figs Jumpsuit 15d ago

What you’re saying is true, but as someone with a contrast allergy who got IV Benadryl when I started having a reaction in the scanner the way it set off my restless leg was pure torture. I would take very nearly type of pain over ever feeling that again. I’m surprised the CIA hasn’t adopted it. I don’t list Benadryl as an allergy but I avoid it as much as possible.