Allergies are abnormal reactions to things known as allergens. Though typically harmless to most people, for someone with an allergy, allergens can cause symptoms that can range from itching to possibly life-threatening.
Tips & Links
Common allergens include foods, dust, plant pollen, latex, and medications. Signs of allergies can be skin reactions (hives, welts, itching, or a rash), respiratory symptoms (sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, or wheezing), or gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain). The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis (a life-threatening condition characterized by symptoms like swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness).
Learn More
- Learn more about allergies and what to do from Healthlink BC.
- Allergies to medications, also known as drug allergies, are adverse reactions that occur when a person’s immune system identifies a specific medication or drug as a harmful substance.
Identify & Track
- Track any allergic reactions or side effects to medications, treatments, or tests, even if you have only experience mild reactions like redness or itching. Repeated exposure can lead to stronger allergic reactions, so it is best to avoid anything that gives you a reaction.
- Know that some investigative medical tests use dyes that can trigger an allergic side effect. If this happens you need to add it to your allergy list.
- Record any allergic reactions or side effects on your phone (health or notes app) or in/on a health calendar.
- Monitor and record any allergic reactions and describe the reaction, such as rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Record any over the counter drug (OTC) or treatment you used to relieve the side effects. Make a note if you experienced any change or relief.
Have a Plan
- Have a plan to contact a family member, your health advocate or care partner if you are unable to manage your side effects alone.
- Talk with your physician, specialist or pharmacist to determine who to call for what and when.
- Call emergency services (911) if symptoms become life-threatening or if you have difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, loss of consciousness.
- Learn about how a pharmacist can help with OTC drugs for mild allergic reactions and/or suggesting a replacement medication with fewer side effects from the Government of BC.
- Reach out to 811 to ask for general health information, direct you on how to monitor your symptoms, or help you find health care in your community, if needed. Navigation services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Healthlink BC.
Things To Do
- Learn about carrying an EpiPen(injectable epinephrine) if you have a severe, life-threatening allergy.
- Update your physician or specialist on any allergic reactions or side effects at your health care visits.
- Ensure that all your allergies are written in your physician’s, pharmacist’s, and hospital’s electronic health record (EHR).
- Have a plan you share with your care partners of what to do and and who to call when you have an allergic reaction.
- Locate emergency services, urgent care, and pharmacies in your community.
- Consider wearing a Medic Alert bracelet, necklace, or getting a tattoo to inform first responders and others about any severe allergies.
- Tell your physician and pharmacist if you have any reactions to medications, supplements, herbs, vitamins or over the counter drugs.
Mywell Health is to help you record all your health information. Record all allergies, sensitivities or side effects to vitamins, supplements and herbs on your Health Profile and Medication List in the activities in My Health Information.