The Ultimate Guide to Medical Alert Jewelry
Why you need it, where to find it and more.
Guest post by Teen Advisory Group (TAG) member Noelle Nelson
My name is Noelle Nelson. I’m 15 years old, and I am a member of FARE’s Teen Advisory Group (TAG). I am allergic to milk, peanuts, tree nuts, raspberries and pineapples. In this blog, I will be sharing about medical alert jewelry, including what it is, why it is important, why medical alert jewelry can make food allergies seem a little less annoying, and what are some of the companies where you can get yours!
- What is medical alert jewelry?
Medical alert jewelry is a bracelet, necklace or any other form of jewelry that has medical information, such as food allergies, engraved on it. Along with the allergies or other medical conditions, medical alert jewelry can include the person’s name, contact information such as a parent’s phone number, information about what to do if the person has an allergic reaction, and more. Wearing a piece of medical alert jewelry can save a person’s life, because if there was ever an emergency, a friend, paramedics, or other medical personnel can read the information and know what they are dealing with in difficult situations.
- Why is medical alert jewelry important?
You may be wondering, why is medical alert jewelry necessary? Well, medical alert jewelry is very important for food-allergic teens and young adults because it could potentially help save a life.
More than 95 percent of the emergency medical professionals who responded to a survey by American Medical ID (americanmedical-id.com) report that they check to see if the patient has medical alert jewelry during an emergency. Seventy-five percent of these medical personnel check for medical alert jewelry right away once they see the patient. This means that if a person has an allergic reaction and is possibly unconscious or in distress, it is extremely likely that medical personnel will read the person’s medical alert jewelry. This can help medical personnel know what medications or foods the person is allergic to, who to contact, what the person’s name is, and more.
When a person cannot help themselves in a dangerous situation such as a severe allergic reaction, medical alert jewelry can do the work for them. Sixty-eight percent of medical responders check the patient’s neck for a medical alert necklace and 95 percent look at the wrist of the patient for a medical alert bracelet, according to the American Medical-id.com survey. These little pieces of jewelry can make a huge impact on the outcome of a horrible situation such as a severe allergic reaction. Medical alert jewelry can help lower the chances of misdiagnosis in a medical emergency. These are just some of the reasons why anyone who has food allergies should wear medical alert jewelry.
- A bracelet or necklace that I have to wear all the time? How can medical alert jewelry make food allergies less annoying?
Medical alert jewelry can make having food allergies a little less annoying and a bit fun! Ever since I found a medical alert jewelry brand that I loved, it was not a burden to have to wear a medical bracelet but something cool! When I was in third grade, I got a “mood bracelet” that doubled as my medical bracelet. I remember being so excited, showing all my friends, getting compliments, and loving my medical bracelet. I even remember hearing someone wish they could have a medical bracelet and they didn’t even have food allergies! When it came time for me to get a new medical bracelet a year or so later, it was like a treat getting to pick out a new style and it was like Christmas when I got it in the mail. Having a medical bracelet was something special for me because I had food allergies; with all the different foods I couldn’t have, this was something that only I had, and it made me feel special. I still enjoy wearing my medical bracelets, and ever since I found the company I like, I never see medical alert jewelry as a burden. I hope that all food-allergic children, teens, young adults and adults can find a medical alert jewelry brand they love and that makes having food allergies a little less of a burden!
- Okay, I have food allergies and I need to get my medical alert jewelry! Where do I buy some?
Well, lucky for you, there are lots of options when it comes to medical alert bracelets, necklaces and more. Below I list some of the sites I’ve found where you can buy medical alert jewelry, including my personal favorite brand! Of course, these are just a few of the many medical alert jewelry brands out there!
Lauren’s Hope (My personal go-to brand!)
I hope this guide helped you learn what medical alert jewelry is, recognize the importance of medical alert jewelry, see why medical alert jewelry can be a little perk that comes with food allergies, and find a medical alert jewelry brand that you love!