I’ve had a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace now for over 20 years and I’d honestly never leave home without it now. It’s become part of my getting ready routine, to put on the band or bracelet and I have a few now to choose from. What surprises me though is how few people with anaphylaxis actually wear a medical band. There are other brands on the market, but none quite like MedicAlert where your medical records and next of kin can be contacted using your unique ID number.
Why should I wear medical jewellery for my allergies?
There are so many reasons, so here are my top ten benefits to wearing a medical bracelet, band or necklace for your anaphylaxis.
- Peace of mind – You”l feel safer when you’re wearing one. It’s just one step in my routine of avoiding allergens and staying protected but it gives me peace of mind.
- Vigilance – It keeps you alert and vigilant. If you have life threatening allergies you need to be vigilant and alert to any potential threats or dangers every day, putting on my bracelet reminds me that I need to stay on the ball.
- Anxiety – I have had panic attacks in the past and do have anxiety about anaphylaxis. I worry about when I will make a mistake of when someone else will. By wearing one of these bands, I feel I’ve taken a step to calm the heightened anxiety. I can’t stop my anxiety but I can help by knowing I’ve done everything I can to stay safe.
- Process – I do a hundred tiny things every day automatically, to ensure my safety, and make sure I don’t come into contact with my allergens. Things like carrying two adrenaline auto-injectors and all my medical paraphernalia with me at all times, having an up-to-date Action Plan, telling people about my allergies, showing them how to administer adrenaline, always phoning restaurants and carefully planning what is safe, helping prepare food at dinner parties, always carrying safe food with me just in case, spending ages scouring labels on food to check it’s safe, learning as much as I can, keeping regular asthma checkups, meditation, breathing exercises, being active, getting into nature, writing, the list is endless. Wearing my medical band is just one thing that’s simple and easy to do.
- It could save your life – It’s like a tiny little life saver in disguise as a piece of cool jewellery. If I’m unconscious and can’t speak, I know paramedics and medical staff can phone up using my ID number to find my medical records and next of kin. If could save your life too!
- Ice breaker – I also often get asked about it, so it’s a really clever ice breaker. It’s a way of someone finding out why I wear it and also a way of me sharing my experiences and spreading awareness about why it’s important.
- Medical Data – Anyone treating me will be able to get all the information they need about me, my condition and the treatment I need. It tells them what I’m allergic to, where I live, my doctor’s details and my next of kin so they can call them.
- They look cool – There are loads to choose from now. It used to be a very practical and medical piece of jewellery but there are loads of choices now, from material bands to silver jewellery. There is something for everyone, with kids and adult options. There are now hundreds to choose from.
- Hypoallergenic – If you’re allergic to nickel as I am, you can choose from the silver or fabric options.
- Sensible – It just makes sense guys. It’s a no brainer. And encouraging your child to wear one can also teach them to own their allergy, take control and understand the small things they can do to keep themselves safe.
I would recommend anyone with a life threatening medical condition should wear one.
“I feel safer and less anxious about my allergies when I’m wearing my MedicAlert bracelet.”
Ruth Holroyd, What Allergy Blog
Get 15% off any MedicAlert jewellery
What to expect if you buy one
There is a little bit of setting up to do that can take a while. You need to sign up, specify what your medical condition is or what you are allergic to and decide what you want on the back of your tag. They will make suggestions and help you design it so that all the essential information is there. Once you’ve done that you can shop for your chosen band, necklace or bracelet.
What’s stopping you?
It always amazes me how few people wear one of these because it’s a no brainer for me. Do you wear one? What’s stopping you? Why don’t you have one? Please share your thoughts. I’d love to delve deeper into this.
And finally, if you do want to try on, there are options from as little as £20 for stainless steel, to more expensive options like silver and gold, dog tags, leather and material bands. Get shopping and use code What15Allergy for 15% off at https://www.medicalert.org.uk/
You may also be interested in the following
- The Trip Advisor for allergy people
- 10 tips for getting therapy for fear of anaphylaxis
- Allergy mistakes – Near Miss reporting
- Anxiety and post traumatic stress in adults at risk of anaphylaxis – please complete survey…
NB. In the interested of transparency, I do not get any benefit from this affiliate code, it is only you who gets 15% off. Enjoy the discount and please take advantage of this nudge to get extra peace of mind.
Leave a Reply