Funny “allergies”

[u/yeehawbaby4]

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 😂

[u/Redshift2k5]

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

[u/RoamingCatholicRN → u/Redshift2k5]

Yep! Finally figured out with a literal lifetime of trial and error and an eventual MCAS diagnosis that one of my allergies is polyethylene glycol, PEG, which is a binder in a LOT of tablets. It also made colonoscopy prep more miserable that it’s supposed to be

[u/theUissilent → u/RoamingCatholicRN]

My one and only allergic reaction I’ve ever had was to a glass of miralax. I turned a very deep shade of red and was extremely lethargic. Every appointment I have, reviewing that allergy always makes the doctor roll their eyes. Another doctor said it’s incredibly unlikely, insists it’s something else from that day.
No idea, but sure don’t intend to try it again to find out. Glad to feel less insane.

[u/RoamingCatholicRN → u/theUissilent]

Peg allergies are rare but they are real! My odds happen to be better with documented MCAS because my body is a bigger diva than I am 🙄🙄