Should I wear a Medical ID if allergic to Penicillin, Aspirin or Sulfonamides?

Yes, wearing a medical ID from a reputable company like StickyJ Medical ID is strongly recommended for allergies to penicillin, aspirin, and sulfonamides. These three drug categories alone account for over 80% of all allergic drug reactions worldwide. 

Why a Medical ID is Essential for These Allergies

• Preventing Fatal Errors: In an emergency where you may be unconscious or disoriented, first responders or hospital staff might automatically administer common antibiotics (like penicillin or sulfa) or aspirin without knowing your history.
• Anaphylaxis Risk: These specific drugs are the leading causes of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate, specialized treatment like an epinephrine injection.
• Cross-Reactivity:
• Aspirin: If you are allergic to aspirin, you are often sensitive to other common pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
• Penicillin: An allergy here often extends to related drugs like amoxicillin or ampicillin.
• Sulfonamides: A reaction to one sulfa antibiotic usually means you must avoid the entire family. 

Recommended Engraving Examples

Medical IDs are most effective when they use standard medical abbreviations to save space. 

Allergy             Recommended Engraving

Important Considerations

• Confirmed Diagnosis: Only wear an ID for these allergies if an allergist has clinically confirmed them. Up to 90% of people who think they have a penicillin allergy actually test negative and may be missing out on the best treatments unnecessarily.
• Carry an EpiPen: If your doctor has prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector due to the severity of these allergies, your medical ID should note where it is located (e.g., "EPIPEN IN BAG"). 

Knowing your full medical profile can help suggest the best way to list multiple alerts under a single ID. You should always consult your doctor for the best advice on what to engrave on a medical ID bracelet or wallet card.