Your Allergies and Intolerances

An allergy or intolerance is when your body has a harmful reaction to a specific substance like medications, foods, or environmental materials.

This information is critical for your safety. Your healthcare team uses it to avoid giving you substances that could harm you and to choose safe alternatives for your care.

You can add and update your allergies yourself. Your healthcare team can also help you record them during visits.

 

What to Include

Medications (most important for safety):

  • Prescription drugs (be specific: "amoxicillin" not just "antibiotics")
  • Over-the-counter medicines (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.)
  • Supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies

Foods:

  • Common allergens (nuts, shellfish, eggs, dairy)
  • Any food that makes you sick
  • Food additives or preservatives

Environmental and medical substances:

  • Latex (important for medical procedures)
  • Metals, contrast dyes, adhesives
  • Insect stings or bites

Include everything: Even mild reactions, suspected allergies, or reactions that happened years ago. Better safe than sorry.

 

What Reactions to Report

Skin reactions: Rash, hives, swelling, itching

Breathing problems: Wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness

Digestive problems: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps

Severe reactions (seek immediate medical attention):

  • Anaphylaxis (severe whole-body reaction)
  • Loss of consciousness or fainting
  • Severe drop in blood pressure
  • Difficulty swallowing

Don't worry about classification: Your healthcare provider will help determine whether it's technically an allergy or intolerance. What matters is recording any substance that causes you problems.

 

How to Add an Allergy

Basic information:

  • Search for substance: Type the name of what you're allergic to
  • Type: Allergy, intolerance, or unknown
  • Category: Food, medication, environment, etc.
  • Clinical Status: Active (currently a problem) or resolved
  • Criticality: High (dangerous) or Low (mild)

Timing information:

  • When it started: Date, age, or description
  • Date recorded: When you're adding this information
  • Last occurrence: When you last had a reaction

Reaction details (in "Reactions" tab):

  • What symptoms you experienced
  • How severe the reaction was
  • How you were exposed to the substance
  • Any additional details

 

Staying Safe

When you're not sure:

  • Record it anyway - better safe than sorry
  • Use "unconfirmed" verification status
  • Add details in the notes section
  • Ask your healthcare provider for help

Keep yourself safe:

  • Always tell healthcare providers about your allergies
  • Wear a medical alert bracelet for severe allergies
  • Carry emergency medications if prescribed
  • Keep your allergy information updated

Get help:

  • Ask your healthcare provider to help during visits
  • Bring any allergy cards or medication lists you have
  • Ask family members about reactions they've witnessed
  • Check with your pharmacy about medication reactions

Your allergy information is one of the most important parts of your medical record. It helps keep you safe every time you receive healthcare.