If you are living with lupus, you may wonder whether you should wear a medical alert bracelet or another type of medical ID jewelry. You may want to know if alert jewelry could be helpful in medical emergencies, especially after being newly diagnosed.

Is wearing a medical alert bracelet right for you? Read on to learn more and decide whether you or your loved one with lupus should start wearing medical jewelry for safety and peace of mind.

What Is Medical Alert Jewelry?

Medical alert jewelry, usually in the form of necklaces or bracelets, is a valuable tool for sharing medical information with others. These types of jewelry are engraved with essential medical information, including the presence of chronic conditions like lupus.

This jewelry is designed to inform others of any health conditions you may have in case of a medical emergency. For instance, if you want people who are helping you during a medical emergency to know you have lupus, medical ID jewelry might be right for you. As one MyLupusTeam member wrote, “As a registered nurse, I must say an ID bracelet or necklace is very helpful in emergent situations.”

What Are the Benefits of Wearing Medical Alert Jewelry?

Most people with lupus find many benefits from wearing medical alert jewelry. These bracelets or necklaces are a visible sign to others that the wearer has a medical condition, prompting them to be cautious and respond appropriately in case of an emergency.

Additionally, the jewelry helps prevent misunderstandings or delays in receiving necessary medical care by communicating important information like medication allergies or specific treatment needs.

Providing Peace of Mind

Wearing a medical bracelet can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that first responders will be able to give you the best possible care, no matter what happens. Emergency responders and other medical personnel are trained to look for these items when treating individuals so they know more about their medical conditions.

Equipping Health Care Providers With Essential Information

During a medical emergency, medical personnel rely on crucial information to provide the best care, and a medical alert bracelet can help them identify the most important factors to consider for your well-being. This bracelet can also alert them of any medications you’re taking in case they’re concerned about interactions.

Making Travel Less Stressful

Many travelers take their medical alert jewelry on trips, even if they don’t wear these items all the time at home. Wearing this jewelry can ensure that they get the proper medical care no matter where they are.

Who Needs Medical Alert Jewelry?

Anyone who has a medical condition that could be life-threatening may consider wearing a medical ID bracelet or other jewelry. In addition, anyone who might find themselves in a situation where they can’t communicate their medical care needs, even in situations that aren’t life-threatening, may choose to wear one.

People who rely on life-saving or crucial medications, or those that may have significant interactions with other drugs, should wear medical alert jewelry to ensure their safety and well-being. Other relevant health information can be included on the jewelry, too, like allergic reactions, drug allergies, conditions like autism, and more.

Although lupus is rarely immediately life-threatening, pain or fatigue may make it hard for a person to communicate their needs during an emergency. Moreover, people with lupus may take several medications to treat their condition and manage their symptoms, which health care professionals may need to know about during a medical emergency.

Additionally, some people with an autoimmune disease like lupus may have specific medical situations that require medical alert jewelry. One MyLupusTeam member explained, “I’m going to get one of these bracelets just in case I’m not able to communicate and to show that I’m not able to take NSAIDs, as they burn me.”

What Information Should Be on Medical Alert Jewelry?

Personalizing medical alert jewelry offers individuals the freedom to choose the specific information, such as medical conditions, allergies, medications, and emergency contact details, that best suits their needs. As one MyLupusTeam member shared, “If you were unresponsive, I promise you your bracelet could save your life. It seems like no one pays attention to it, but I went into an adrenal insufficiency crisis, and if I hadn’t had my bracelet on, not only would they not have known what was wrong, but would have done a CT and killed me with the contrast.”

At the very least, the jewelry should include your name and phone number (or the phone number of an emergency contact). Medical identification can be custom engraved to list the specific medical conditions a person has, such as a compromised immune system and any medications they are taking. It may also include further guidance, like “Additional info in wallet,” so medical personnel know where to find the information they need.

Sometimes, people may include specific preferences or special wishes for their medical care on their medical alert ID jewelry. For instance, it may specify that the person does not want to be kept on life support.

There are several medical abbreviations that people can choose from to communicate a lot of information in a small amount of space. They include abbreviations for specific conditions, such as CHD for coronary heart disease, ALGY for allergy, and BP for blood pressure.

What Options Are Available for Medical Alert Jewelry?

Most pieces of medical alert jewelry are bracelets or necklaces. They usually consist of a solid metal piece (often stainless steel) that can be engraved with the relevant information. There are also watch bands that allow for engraving, including bands for smartwatches.

These bracelets or necklaces come in many different styles. Some may look like other pieces of jewelry you would wear. Most contain some sort of mark indicating the jewelry contains information that emergency personnel may need.

Occasionally, athletes or children might wear a silicone wristband with abbreviated information, like their name and an emergency contact phone number.

Other Options for Carrying Medical Alert Information

If you’re uncomfortable wearing medical alert jewelry, allergic to metals or other components in most jewelry, or if you want to include more information than a necklace or bracelet would allow, there are other options for carrying medical information with you.

For instance, you can download a mobile phone app on which you can record all of your medical information. You might also consider carrying a wallet card that holds more information than what will fit on a piece of jewelry so medical professionals can read all of it.

Medical Alert Jewelry vs. Medical Alert Systems

Medical alert jewelry is considered a passive alert apparatus. It contains a person’s information but doesn’t broadcast it in any way. In other words, people have to look for it to find it.

Alternatively, some pieces of medical alert jewelry include active alert apparatuses. These are called medical alert systems. They often have a button or some sort of switch that makes a sound or plays a recording to alert people to a medical problem.

Even more extensive medical alert systems can be installed in vehicles or homes. In most cases, a person must activate these to send the message that they or a loved one needs medical attention.

In some cases, people with lupus who live alone may choose one of these systems for their homes so they don’t have to worry about falling and being unable to get help.

Find Your Team

On MyLupusTeam — the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones — more than 223,000 people with lupus come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories. Before long, you’ll have your own team of people who understand life with lupus.

Are you living with lupus and considering a medical alert bracelet? Do you already wear one? Share your questions or thoughts in the comments below or by posting on your Activity page.