r/emergencymedicine • u/Asleep-Palpitation43 Nurse Practiciner • Feb 02 '25

Advice Allergy Olympics

Is it wrong that if I see a patient has more than 10 allergies I IMMEDIATELY assume she's (bc it's always a she) a psych case?

In 24 years I've never been wrong.

You'll never read this in a textbook but add it to your practice today and thank me later👍

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u/therewillbesoup Feb 02 '25

Yes...but... I've also had luck explaining to some patients allergies vs common known side effects. But those tend to be patients that are actually concerned about their health and wanting to do things to improve it. I've even told them great, cool, no problem with us keeping it listed as an allergy on their chart to make sure no one tries to give it to them, but it's important for them to know the difference between an allergic reaction and a side effect.