Allergy to drugs: main causes, classification and clinical manifestations. How to avoid an allergic reaction to medications Symptoms of a drug allergy
Our expert - Candidate of Medical Sciences, allergist-immunologist Sofya Erokhina.
Under suspicion
Most often, allergies occur to antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (analgin, aspirin, paracetamol and others), local anesthetics (Novocaine). Allergies to X-ray contrast agents are also not uncommon. The latter usually contain iodine, so if you are allergic to iodine, you must inform your doctor about it and, if necessary, undergo an X-ray examination with the introduction of a contrast agent. The most common preparations containing iodine are Lugol's solution, potassium and sodium iodide, iodoform, iodinol, antistrumin, degmin, degmicide, iodonate, iodopyrone, chlorhexidine digluconate, cerigel.
If you have a drug allergy, you need to read the drug labels very carefully, otherwise some popular cold remedy that “everyone drinks” may cause an undesirable reaction in you. So, if you are allergic to paracetamol, you cannot be treated with all drugs that contain it.
Sometimes allergies also occur to vitamins, especially group B. As a matter of fact, any medicine, including antiallergic drugs, can cause an allergic reaction.
If aspirin is to blame
One of the most common is an allergy to aspirin. In patients with polypous rhinosinusitis, taking acetylsalicylic acid can trigger the development of asthma, this is the so-called aspirin triad. If you are allergic to aspirin, you should not take medications containing it.
It must be remembered that some products and dietary supplements contain dyes and preservatives similar in composition to aspirin. Canned and pickled foods, sausages, ham, boiled pork, confectionery, cakes and pastries with yellow cream, caramel, marmalade, dragees, etc. can be dangerous.
Aspirin allergy sufferers should also not take medications containing analgin, pyramidon and other related drugs, as well as tablets, dragees or capsules coated with a yellow coating.
Fewer pills - less risk
Drug allergies can also occur in those who take many medications, especially antibiotics and sulfonamides. At the same time, the allergen accumulates in the body (latent sensitization), which ultimately leads to the development of an allergy to a certain group of drugs.
The risk of sensitization is considered to be lower for injections, higher for tablets, and highest for skin applications of medications. That is why local forms (ointments, creams, etc.) of penicillin, sulfonamides and antihistamines are now used less and less often.
The risk group includes patients with bronchial asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. If you have hay fever, herbal treatment is not for you. Herbal medicines, as well as infusions, decoctions, and baths using plant materials can cause a severe allergic reaction.
The development of allergies can be facilitated by frequent intermittent courses of treatment. Lengthening the interval between them reduces the likelihood of allergies.
There is a reaction
The manifestations of allergy to drugs are very diverse. Inflammation of the mucous membranes - nose (rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis), bronchospasm, skin rashes and itching (urticaria and other types of allergic dermatoses), swelling of the face, neck, and larynx (Quincke's edema) may occur.
An allergy to sulfonamides usually manifests itself as rashes in the same place, which appear immediately after taking the medicine. In the summer, some drugs (sulfonamides, hypoglycemic drugs, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some antibiotics) may also cause photoallergic reactions when exposed to sunlight. In this case, it is not necessary to sunbathe; even the sun's rays penetrating through the window glass are enough. The reaction when exposed to light may recur even after several months, when you have long forgotten that you took the medicine.
The most severe and life-threatening manifestation of drug allergies is anaphylactic shock. Most often it is caused by penicillin, much less often by other antibiotics. The fact is that penicillin was, as you know, obtained from mold fungi of the genus Penicillium, and mushrooms are one of the most powerful allergens. By the way, if you have a food allergy to mushrooms, it is also possible to have one to both penicillin and streptomycin.
Cases of anaphylactic shock have been reported when treated with certain anticancer drugs, and even with psyllium seed - an integral part of many laxatives - when taken orally. Anaphylactic shock develops within half an hour after administration of the medicine and, if immediate medical attention is not provided, can lead to the death of the patient.
Allergy or side effect?
It is important to distinguish between an allergic reaction to drugs and their side effects. For example, many patients suffering from coronary heart disease mistake a headache after taking nitroglycerin for an allergic reaction. In fact, this is just an individual reaction that needs to be reported to the doctor, and he will select another drug.
Older people are often prescribed many medications that must be taken at the same time. After some time, they may develop a rash, which is mistaken for an allergy, and all medications have to be stopped. In most cases, this is a pseudo-allergy. The reasons may vary. The drugs may not be combined with each other, the dosage may be violated. The latter must correspond to age and weight, which, unfortunately, is not always observed. The usual therapeutic dose, and it is designed for a person weighing about 70 kilograms, is not suitable for everyone. If the patient's weight is almost 2 times less, the dosage should be reduced.
On the other hand, if many drugs are prescribed at the same time, finding out which one you are allergic to is not so easy. In this case, you can consult an allergist, do tests.
Important
If an allergy to a medicine arose for the first time, you must:
Stop taking it;
be sure to inform your doctor;
take an antihistamine.
In the event of a severe allergic reaction, call an ambulance.
No matter what you are sick with, even just a common cold, do not forget to tell your doctor about any allergic reactions you have. Your medical record should indicate the drugs to which you are allergic.
By the way
Each subsequent allergic reaction is more severe than the previous one, which is why it is so important to prevent its recurrence. Sometimes another disease is hidden under the mask of allergies, so you should definitely consult a doctor - an allergist-immunologist.
The language of numbers
The risk of developing allergic reactions to medications averages from 1 to 3%. In hospitalized patients, adverse drug reactions develop in 15–30% of cases. Deaths occur at one allergic reaction per 10,000 people. Medicines are the cause of death in 0.01% of surgical and 0.1% of medical inpatients.
Among all reactions to drugs, 80% are pseudo-allergic, associated with the release of histamine. Such reactions in most cases are easily recognized by doctors.
From 1 to 10% of patients suffer from hypersensitivity to penicillins.
The mildest allergic reaction is urticaria, the most dangerous is anaphylactic shock. It occurs more often with parenteral administration of drugs - spread on the skin, instilled into the nose, but sometimes occurs when taking drugs by mouth.
Analgesic intolerance occurs in 0.1-0.5% of the population. However, in patients with chronic urticaria, asthma or hay fever, the frequency of intolerance to these drugs increases significantly - up to 10-18%.
0.3% of the population suffer from hypersensitivity to aspirin. It is more common in people aged 30 to 60 than in children, and in women than men.
In recent years, the safety of pharmacotherapy has become especially important for doctors. The reason for this is the increase in various complications of drug therapy, which ultimately affect the outcome of treatment. An allergy to drugs is an extremely undesirable reaction that develops with the pathological activation of specific immune mechanisms.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate from such complications is almost 5 times higher than the mortality rate from surgical interventions. Drug allergies occur in approximately 17-20% of patients, especially with independent, uncontrolled use of drugs.
By and large, an allergy to medications can develop due to the use of any medication, regardless of its price.
Moreover, according to the mechanism of occurrence, such diseases are divided into four types. This:
- Immediate anaphylactic reaction. The main role in their development is played by class E immunoglobulins.
- Cytotoxic reaction. In this case, antibodies of the IgM or IgG class are formed, which interact with the allergen (any component of the drug) on the cell surface.
- Immunocomplex reaction. Such an allergy is characterized by damage to the inner wall of blood vessels, since the formed antigen-antibody complexes are deposited on the endothelium of the peripheral bloodstream.
- Delayed cell-mediated reaction. T-lymphocytes play the main role in their development. They secrete cytokines, under the influence of which allergic inflammation progresses. You can increase the activity of T-lymocytes using the drug Ipilimumab.
But such an allergy does not always occur through only one of the listed mechanisms. There are often situations when several links in the pathogenetic chain are combined simultaneously, which causes a variety of clinical symptoms and the degree of their severity.
Allergies to medications should be distinguished from side effects associated with the characteristics of the body, overdose, or incorrect combination of medications. The principle of development of undesirable reactions is different, and accordingly, the treatment regimens are different.
In addition, there are so-called pseudoallergic reactions, which occur due to the release of mediators from mast cells and basophils without the participation of specific immunoglobulin E.
Most often, drug allergies are caused by the following drugs:
In addition, it can also occur due to some auxiliary ingredient, for example, starch in case of hypersensitivity to cereals, etc. This should also be taken into account when using any drug.
But the following are more prone to such allergies:
- patients with hereditary predetermination to hypersensitivity reactions;
- patients with previously occurring manifestations of allergies of any etiology;
- children and adults with diagnosed helminthic infestations;
- patients who exceed the frequency of taking the drug, the number of tablets or the volume of suspension recommended by the doctor.
In infants, various manifestations of an immunological reaction occur if the nursing mother does not follow an appropriate diet.
An allergy to drugs (with the exception of a pseudo-allergic reaction) develops only after a period of sensitization, in other words, activation of the immune system by the main component of the drug or auxiliary ingredients. The rate of development of sensitization largely depends on the method of administration of the drug. Thus, application of the drug to the skin or inhalation use quickly causes a response, but in most cases does not lead to the development of life-threatening manifestations for the patient.
But when administering a medicinal solution in the form of intravenous or intramuscular injections, there is a high risk of an immediate allergic reaction, for example, anaphylactic shock, which is extremely rare when taking tablet forms of the drug.
Most often, drug allergies are characterized by manifestations that are typical of other types of similar immune reactions. This:
- urticaria, an itchy skin rash that resembles a nettle sting;
- contact dermatitis;
- fixed erythema, unlike other signs of an allergic reaction, it manifests itself as a clearly defined spot on the face, genitals, oral mucosa;
- acneform rashes;
- eczema;
- erythema multiforme, characterized by the occurrence of general weakness, pain in the muscles and joints, a rise in temperature is possible, then, after a few days, papular rashes of the correct form of pink color appear;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a complicated type of exudative erythema, accompanied by a pronounced rash on the mucous membranes, genitals;
- bullous epidermolysis, a photo of which can be found in specialized reference books on dermatology, manifests itself in the form of an erosive rash on the mucous membranes and skin, and increased susceptibility to mechanical injury;
- Lyell's syndrome, its symptoms are the rapid defeat of a large area of the skin, accompanied by general intoxication and disruption of the internal organs.
In addition, drug allergy is sometimes accompanied by hematopoiesis suppression (usually this is noted against the background of long-term use of NSAIDs, sulfonamides, chlorpromazine). Also, a similar disease can manifest itself in the form of myocarditis, nephropathy, systemic vasculitis, periarteritis nodosa. Some drugs cause autoimmune reactions.
One of the most common signs of allergy is vascular damage. They manifest themselves in different ways: if the reaction affects the circulatory system of the skin, a rash occurs, kidneys - nephritis, lungs - pneumonia. Aspirin, Quinine, Isoniazid, Iodine, Tetracycline, Penicillin, sulfonamides can cause thrombocytopenic purpura.
Allergy to drugs (usually serum and streptomycin) sometimes affects the coronary vessels. In this case, a clinical picture characteristic of myocardial infarction develops; in such a situation, instrumental examination methods will help to make an accurate diagnosis.
In addition, there is such a thing as a cross-reaction resulting from a combination of certain medications. This is mainly observed when taking antibiotics of the same group at the same time, combining several antifungal agents (for example, clotrimazole and fluconazole), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin + paracetamol).
Allergies to medications: what to do if symptoms appear
Diagnosing such a reaction to medications is quite difficult. Of course, with a characteristic allergic history and a typical clinical picture, it is not difficult to identify such a problem. But in the daily practice of a doctor, the diagnosis is complicated by the fact that allergic, toxic and pseudo-allergic reactions and some infectious diseases have similar symptoms. This is especially aggravated against the background of existing immunological problems.
No less difficulty arises with a delayed allergy to medications, when it can be quite difficult to trace the relationship between the course of treatment and the symptoms that have appeared. In addition, the same drug can cause different clinical signs. Also, a specific reaction of the body occurs not only to the agent itself, but also to its metabolites formed as a result of transformation in the liver.
Doctors tell you what to do if you develop an allergy to medications:
- Collecting an anamnesis about the presence of similar diseases in a relative, other, earlier manifestations of an allergic reaction. They will also learn how the patient tolerated vaccinations and courses of long-term therapy with other drugs. Doctors are usually interested in whether a person reacts to the flowering of certain plants, dust, food, cosmetics.
- Step-by-step staging of skin tests (drip, application, scarification, intradermal).
- Blood tests to determine specific immunoglobulins and histamine. But a negative result of these tests does not exclude the possibility of developing an allergic reaction.
But the most common scarification tests have a number of disadvantages. Thus, in case of a negative reaction on the skin, the absence of allergy in oral or parenteral use cannot be guaranteed. In addition, such tests are contraindicated during pregnancy, and when examining children under 3 years old, false results may be obtained. Their information content is very low in the case of concomitant therapy with antihistamines and corticosteroids.
What to do if you are allergic to medications:
- First of all, you should immediately stop taking the drug;
- take an antihistamine at home;
- If possible, record the name of the medication and the symptoms that appear;
- seek qualified help.
In case of a severe, life-threatening reaction, further therapy is carried out only in a hospital setting.
Allergic reaction to medications: treatment and prevention
Methods for eliminating symptoms of an adverse drug reaction depend on the severity of the immune response. So, in most cases, you can get by with histamine receptor blockers in the form of tablets, drops or syrup. The most effective means are considered
How does an allergy to drugs manifest itself, what drugs cause it and how to treat it.
What is a drug allergy?
The body's immune system reacts to the drug in the form of an allergic reaction. In most cases, drug allergies are mild and symptoms disappear within a few days of stopping the medication. However, there are also severe cases.
Some allergies go away over time. But in most cases, if you have an allergic reaction to a certain medicine, the body will always react to it in this way. In addition, it is possible to be allergic to such drugs.
An allergy is one of the types of unwanted reactions of the body to a drug taken. There are other side effects of medications, and their symptoms and treatments vary. Only a doctor can determine whether a given reaction to a medicine is truly an allergy.
Symptoms of drug allergies
Hives and pastiness, swelling of the skin, rash, blisters, eczema
Cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, difficulty breathing
Temperature increase
In rare cases, toxic epidermal necrolysis occurs, a serious skin condition in which the skin blisters and peels off. This disease can be fatal if left untreated.
In rare cases, anaphylaxis occurs, the most dangerous type of allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as hives and difficulty breathing, usually appear within an hour of taking the medicine. If medical attention is not given immediately, the person may go into shock.
What medications cause an allergic reaction?
Any medicine can cause an allergic reaction. Here are a few medications that cause allergies most often:
Penicillin preparations (nafcillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin)
Sulfa drugs
Barbiturates
Insulin
Vaccines
Anticonvulsants
Medicines used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
If you are allergic to one medicine, you are likely to have an allergic reaction to similar medications. For example, if you are allergic to penicillin, you may have the same reaction to cephalosporins (for example, cephalexin or cefuroxime).
Diagnostics
To diagnose a drug allergy, the doctor asks the patient what medications he has taken and is currently taking. The doctor also needs to review the patient's medical history and conduct an examination. If this is not enough, skin tests, blood tests and other tests may be required.
Treatment
If an allergic reaction begins, it becomes difficult to breathe, or a rash appears, you must urgently call an ambulance.
If the allergy manifests itself in an acute form, an injection of epinephrine is given to ease breathing. Antihistamines and steroids are also used.
For moderately severe allergies, antihistamines, which can be bought at the pharmacy without a prescription, will help get rid of the symptoms. If they do not help, or side effects occur (for example, drowsiness), you should consult a doctor.
The best way to get rid of an allergy to a medicine is to stop taking it. You should consult your doctor to find out what medicine can replace it. If it is impossible to replace the medicine, the doctor can use the method of desensitization - reducing susceptibility to the drug. In this case, small doses of the drug that caused the reaction are first prescribed, and then the dosage is gradually increased. This allows the immune system to “get used” to the medicine. As a result, the allergic reaction no longer occurs.
Precautions for drug allergies
If you have a serious allergy to medications, you should carry a special medication kit containing epinephrine and an injection syringe. The kit may also include antihistamines. The doctor must explain how to use it. If an allergic reaction occurs, administer epinephrine, take an antihistamine, and seek immediate medical attention.
People with drug allergies should always carry with them a card or a special bracelet listing the medications that cause allergies. In an emergency, this can save lives.
Prevention
Know which medications cause allergies and do not take them.
Write down the names of all medications you take.
When prescribing a new medicine, make sure that it is not similar to the one that causes the allergy.
Never take someone else's medicines and never give yours to anyone.
If you experience a mild allergic reaction, you can take a cool shower and apply a cold compress to relieve symptoms such as irritation. You should wear clothes that do not irritate your skin and avoid using harsh detergents that may increase irritation.
Allergy on medicines, or drug allergy (DA) - an increased immune reaction to the use of certain medications. Nowadays, drug allergies are a pressing problem not only for people susceptible to allergies, but also for the doctors treating them.
Allergy on medicines can occur in anyone, find out how to recognize it and what to do to reduce an allergic reaction?
Causes of drug allergies. As a rule, drug allergies develop in those who are prone to it for genetic reasons.
Allergies to medications are a common problem, and the number of registered forms of this disease is only increasing every year.
If you suffer from an itchy nasopharynx, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and a sore throat, then you may have an allergy. Allergy means “hypersensitivity” to specific substances called “allergens.”
Hypersensitivity means that the body's immune system, which protects against infections, diseases and foreign bodies, does not respond properly to the allergen. Examples of common allergens are pollen, mold, dust, feathers, cat hair, cosmetics, nuts, aspirin, shellfish, chocolate.
allergies on medicines is always preceded by a period of sensitization, when primary contact between the body’s immune system and the drug occurs. The allergy does not depend on the amount of medication that enters the body, i.e., a microscopic amount of the drug is sufficient.
Hay fever. Itchy nasopharynx, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and sore throat are sometimes called allergic rhinitis and are usually caused by airborne allergens such as pollen, dust and feathers or animal dander. This reaction of the body is called “hay fever” if it is seasonal, occurring, for example, in response to wormwood.
Rash and other skin reactions. It is usually caused by something you have eaten or by skin contact with an allergenic substance such as sumac root or various chemicals. Allergic skin reactions may also occur in response to insect bites or emotional disturbances.
Anaphylactic shock. Sudden generalized itching, quickly followed by difficulty breathing and shock (rapid drop in blood pressure) or death. This rare and severe allergic reaction, called anaphylactic shock, usually occurs in response to certain drugs, including allergy tests, antibiotics such as penicillin and many anti-arthritic drugs, especially tolmetin, and in response to insect stings such as bees or wasps. . This reaction may become stronger each time. Anaphylactic shock requires immediate qualified medical care. If there is a possibility of developing anaphylactic shock, for example, after a bee sting in a remote area where qualified medical care cannot be provided, then it is necessary to purchase a first aid kit containing adrenaline and learn how to use it.
If an allergy to a medicine occurs, the first step is to stop using the drug.
Allergy treatment methods. The best treatment for an allergy is to find out the cause and, if possible, avoid contact with that allergen. This problem is sometimes easily solved, and sometimes not. If, for example, your eyes become swollen, a runny nose appears, and you break out in a rash every time cats are nearby, then avoiding contact with them will solve your problems. If you sneeze during a specific time of year (usually late spring, summer, or fall) or annually, there is little you can do to avoid inhaling pollen, dust, or grass particles. Some people, to alleviate their condition, stay locked up at home, where the air temperature is lower and there is less dust, but this is not always possible.
Beware of allergists who send you home with a long list of substances to avoid because they test positive on skin patch tests or are positive on allergen blood tests. Even if you avoid all of these substances, you may still suffer from allergies if none of the substances on the list are the exact allergens that are responsible for your allergic reaction symptoms.
If you want to determine the cause of your allergy, you should consult a doctor. If the cause of the allergy cannot be identified, you can choose symptomatic treatment. Allergy symptoms are caused by the release of a chemical called histamine (one of the mediators of inflammation), and antihistamine medications are an effective treatment. We recommend using single-component antihistamines (Tavegil, Erius, Suprastinex) for allergy symptoms.
Allergic rhinitis should not be treated with topical nasal decongestants (drops, sprays, or inhalations), which are recommended for the treatment of temporary nasal congestion due to colds. Allergies are long-term conditions that last for weeks, months, or years, and use of these topical decongestants for more than a few days can lead to increased nasal congestion after drug treatment is stopped, and sometimes permanent damage to the nasal mucosa. If you know that your rhinorrhea is caused by allergies, do not use over-the-counter sprays; their use may result in you being unable to breathe through your nose without these medications.
Allergy medications
Antihistamines: Of all allergy medications available on the market, it is advisable to use single-component medications containing only an antihistamine. Antihistamines are the most effective allergy treatments available on the market, and by using single-ingredient medications, you minimize side effects.
Indications for the use of allergy medications are the symptomatic treatment of the following conditions:
- year-round (persistent) and seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis (itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, lacrimation, conjunctival hyperemia);
- hay fever (hay fever);
- urticaria, incl. chronic idiopathic urticaria;
- Quincke's edema;
- allergic dermatoses, accompanied by itching and rashes.
When prescribing this class of allergy pills, it is important to remember that once you start taking the medicine, you should not stop taking the medicine at once.
Modern and most effective antihistamines for allergies: Levocetirizine(Xyzal, Glencet, Suprastinex, orally 5 mg per day), Azelastine, Diphenhydramine
The main side effect of antihistamines is drowsiness. If taking antihistamines causes drowsiness, you should avoid driving a car or using machinery, which are sources of increased danger when taking these drugs. Even if these drugs don't make you drowsy, they still slow down your reaction time. In addition, remember that drowsiness increases sharply when taking sedatives, including alcoholic beverages.
Recently, blockers of histamine H1 receptors have been created (antihistamines of the 2nd and 3rd generation), characterized by high selectivity of action on H1 receptors (hifenadine, terfenadine, astemizole, etc.). These drugs have little effect on other mediator systems (cholinergic, etc.), do not pass through the BBB (do not affect the central nervous system) and do not lose activity with long-term use. Many second-generation drugs bind noncompetitively to H1 receptors, and the resulting ligand-receptor complex is characterized by relatively slow dissociation, causing an increase in the duration of the therapeutic effect (prescribed once a day). Biotransformation of most histamine H1 receptor antagonists occurs in the liver with the formation of active metabolites. A number of H1-histamine receptor blockers are active metabolites of known antihistamines (cetirizine is an active metabolite of hydroxyzine, fexofenadine is terfenadine).
The degree of drowsiness caused by an antihistamine depends on the individual patient and the type of antihistamine used. Of the over-the-counter antihistamines classified as safe and effective by the FDA, the least drowsy medications are chlorpheniramine maleate, brompheniramine maleate, pheniramine maleate, and clemastine (TAVEGYL).
Pyrilamine maleate is also FDA approved, but is slightly more sedative. Drugs that cause significant drowsiness include diphenhydramine hydrochloride and doxylamine succinate, which are ingredients in hypnotics.
The emergence of new antihistamines such as astemizole and terfenadine, which do not have a sedative effect, but which turned out to be potentially more dangerous than older drugs, has led to the fact that older, cheaper and safer antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine maleate, which is active, are less often prescribed an ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter antiallergy medications. If you try to lower your dose, you may find that you have significantly reduced the sedative effect of the drug.
Another common side effect of antihistamines is dry mouth, nose, and throat. Less common are blurred vision, dizziness, decreased appetite, nausea, upset stomach, low blood pressure, headache, and loss of coordination. Elderly people with a hypertrophied prostate gland often face the problem of difficulty urinating. Sometimes antihistamines cause nervousness, restlessness, or insomnia, especially in children.
When choosing an antihistamine to treat your allergies, first try a low dose of chlorpheniramine maleate or brompheniramine maleate, available as single-dose formulations. Check the label to make sure there is nothing else in the product.
If you have asthma, glaucoma, or difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland, you should not use antihistamines for self-medication.
Nasal decongestants: Many allergy medications contain amphetamine-like substances, such as pseudoephedrine hydrochloride or ingredients found in many oral cold medications. Some of these side effects (such as nervousness, insomnia, and potential cardiovascular problems) occur more frequently when these allergy medications are used because antiallergy medications are typically used for a longer period of time than antiallergy medications. for a cold. In addition, nasal decongestants do not relieve the symptoms most commonly experienced by allergy sufferers: runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat. These medications only treat nasal congestion, which is not a big problem for most allergy sufferers.
Examples of nasal decongestants that are recommended by manufacturers to treat "no drowsiness" (as they do not contain antihistamines) for allergy symptoms are Afrinol and Sudafed. We do not recommend using these medications if you have allergies.
Asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema are common illnesses that can occur at the same time and may require similar treatments.
Asthma is a disease associated with hyperresponsiveness of the bronchi in the lungs. Attacks, which can be initiated by various factors, lead to spasm of the smooth muscles of the small bronchi and difficulty breathing. Dyspnea is usually accompanied by wheezing, chest tightness, and a dry cough. Most asthmatics only occasionally have difficulty breathing.
Asthma attacks usually occur under the influence of specific allergens, atmospheric pollution, industrial chemicals or infections (acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, mycoplasmosis, pneumocystis, chlamydia). Attacks may be triggered by physical activity or exercise (especially in the cold). Asthma symptoms can be worsened by emotional factors, and the disease often runs in families. People with asthma and their families often suffer from hay fever and eczema.
Chronic bronchitis is a disease in which the cells lining the lungs produce excess mucus, leading to a chronic cough, usually coughing up mucus.
Emphysema is associated with destructive changes in the alveolar walls and is characterized by shortness of breath with or without cough. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are very similar, and the two diseases are sometimes lumped together under the umbrella term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" or COPD. Stridor can be observed both in chronic bronchitis and in emphysema.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are most often the end result of smoking over many years. Other reasons may be industrial air pollution, poor ecology, chronic pulmonary infections (which recently include mycoplasma, pneumocystis, candida and chlamydia infections) and hereditary factors.
Asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema can be occupational diseases. Asthma is common among meatpackers, bakers, woodworkers and farmers, as well as among workers exposed to specific chemicals. Chronic bronchitis is often the result of exposure to dust and harmful gases.
Asthma, bronchitis and emphysema can be mild. However, for some patients, these diseases can be fatal or lead to lifestyle restrictions. Patients suffering from these problems are prescribed potent medications to relieve or prevent attacks of the disease. If taken incorrectly, these medications can have dangerous health effects.
Do not attempt to diagnose or treat yourself. For asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, diagnosis and treatment must be made and prescribed by a doctor. Two other diseases that cause difficulty breathing, congestive heart failure and pneumonia, have similar symptoms, and many medications used to treat asthma or chronic asthma can worsen the condition of the patient suffering from these diseases. Therefore, it is very important to make a correct diagnosis before starting any drug treatment.
Just like diagnosis, treatment for asthma or chronic asthma should be carried out by a doctor. Attacks can be excruciating and sufferers often “over-medicate” themselves, especially when the recommended dose does not provide relief. Do not use more or less than the prescribed dose of asthma or bronchitis medications without first checking with your doctor.
Medicines to treat these diseases should be chosen jointly by you and your doctor. Doctors usually prescribe one or more medications for asthma. The best treatment for acute asthma symptoms is an inhaled form of a receptor stimulant, such as terbutaline (BRICANEIL). These same medications are usually used for chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Corticosteroid medications such as oral prednisolone (DECORTIN) or inhaled beclomethasone (BECONASE), flunisolide (NASALID) and triamcinolone (NASACORT) are usually used when severe acute asthma symptoms are not relieved by terbutaline. These drugs are not used for COPD unless it occurs in conjunction with asthma.
Theophylline and aminophylline are commonly used to relieve symptoms of chronic asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema. Aminophylline is identical to theophylline, but aminophylline contains 1,2-ethylenediamine, which causes a rash in some patients. These medications must be used exactly as prescribed, and your doctor must monitor your blood levels. These measures will prevent side effects and allow you to determine the optimal dose.
Zafirlukast and zileuton are members of a new group of anti-asthma drugs - competitive leukotriene inhibitors. Both of these drugs are approved only for preventing asthma attacks in people with chronic asthma, but not for treating acute asthma attacks. Both zafirlukast and zileuton can damage the liver and are associated with a number of potentially dangerous drug interactions. The role of these drugs in the treatment of asthma remains to be determined.
Correct use of inhalers
To get the most benefit from inhalations, follow the recommendations below. Shake the container well before taking each dose. Remove the plastic cap covering the mouthpiece. Hold the inhaler straight, approximately 2.5 - 3.5 cm from your lips. Open your mouth wide. Exhale as deeply as possible (without causing yourself too much discomfort). Inhale deeply while pressing the jar with your index finger. When you finish inhaling, hold your breath for as long as possible (try to hold your breath for 10 seconds without causing too much discomfort to yourself). This allows the medicine to reach your lungs before you exhale it. If you have difficulty coordinating hand movements and breathing, wrap your lips around the mouthpiece of the inhaler.
If the doctor prescribed more than one inhalation for each treatment session, then wait one minute, shake the jar and repeat all operations again. If you are also taking a bronchodilator in addition to a corticosteroid, you should take the bronchodilator first. Take a 15-minute break before inhaling the corticosteroid. This will ensure that more of the corticosteroid drug is absorbed into the lungs.
The inhaler should be cleaned daily. To do this properly, remove the can from the plastic casing. Rinse the plastic casing and lid under warm running water. Dry thoroughly. Carefully insert the can into its original place, into the casing. Place the cap on the mouthpiece.
Inhaled steroid medications used for asthma in the United States are sold primarily in metered doses under pressure generated by a propellant. Chlorofluorocarbons are not used in these preparations for environmental reasons. Dry powder inhalation products that are activated by inhalation do not require a propellant, and people who have difficulty coordinating hand movements and breathing find them more convenient to use. If you have difficulty coordinating hand movements and breathing, talk to your doctor about switching to dry powder inhalation forms.
Based on materials from the publication Sidney M. Wolf "Worst pills Best pills", 2005
Note: FDA is the US Food and Drug Administration.
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Timely first aid for allergies can save a person’s life. After all, this is a fairly serious disease, which is often accompanied by dangerous symptoms.
Therefore, if any life-threatening signs appear, you should call an ambulance and take the necessary measures before its arrival.
Allergies can have a different course, and this has a direct impact on the symptoms of the disease.
Mild forms of allergies usually manifest themselves in the following types:
- limited urticaria– consists of damage to the mucous membranes and skin;
- allergic conjunctivitis– damage to the conjunctiva of the eyes;
- allergic rhinitis– damage to the nasal mucosa.
Heavy
Severe forms of allergic reactions pose a real danger to human health and life and require emergency medical care.
These include:
- anaphylactic shock– consists of a sharp decrease in blood pressure and problems in microcirculation in organs;
- Quincke's edema– manifests itself in the form of a spasm of the respiratory muscles and ensuing suffocation, which poses a real danger to life;
- generalized urticaria– accompanied by the development of intoxication syndrome.
- slight itching on the skin in the area of contact with the allergen;
- lacrimation and slight itching in the eye area;
- unexpressed redness of a limited area of the skin;
- slight swelling or swelling;
- runny nose and nasal congestion;
- constant sneezing;
- the appearance of blisters in the area of the insect bite.
If such symptoms occur, you need to do the following sequence of actions:
- thoroughly rinse the area of contact with the allergen with warm water - nose, mouth, skin;
- avoid contact with the allergen;
- if the allergy is associated with an insect bite and a sting remains in the affected area, it must be carefully removed;
- apply a cool compress to the itchy area of the body;
- take an anti-allergy drug – loratadine, Zyrtec, Telfast.
If a person’s condition worsens, you should contact an ambulance or go to a medical facility yourself.
There are allergy symptoms that require immediate medical attention:
- breathing problems, shortness of breath;
- spasms in the throat, a feeling of closing the airways;
- nausea and vomiting;
- pain in the abdomen;
- hoarseness, speech problems;
- swelling, redness, itching of large areas of the body;
- weakness, dizziness, feeling of anxiety;
- increased heart rate and palpitations;
- loss of consciousness.
In acute forms of allergies, very specific symptoms arise that require urgent medical attention.
This is a fairly common form of allergy in people, and it is most often observed in young women.
The patient experiences swelling of the subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes. When the throat is swollen, problems with breathing and swallowing appear.
If medical assistance is not provided in time, a person may die from suffocation.
The main symptoms of angioedema include the following:
- respiratory failure;
- hoarseness and cough;
- epileptic seizure;
- asphyxia;
- swelling of the skin.
With the development of urticaria, bright pink blisters appear on the skin, which are accompanied by burning and itching.
After a few hours they turn pale and then disappear completely.
Along with the development of these symptoms, headaches and fever appear.
This process can continue continuously or have a wave-like course over several days. In some cases it lasts for several months.
Symptoms of this condition can manifest in different ways, depending on the severity of the allergic reaction.
Typically, anaphylaxis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- red rash accompanied by severe itching;
- swelling around the eyes, lips and limbs;
- narrowing, swelling, spasms of the airways;
- nausea and vomiting;
- feeling of a lump in the throat;
- metallic taste in the mouth;
- feeling of fear;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure, which can cause dizziness, weakness, and loss of consciousness.
Severe skin rashes can manifest as eczema.
This condition is characterized by inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. Typically, eczema is accompanied by severe itching and has a long course with periods of exacerbations.
Also, a severe rash can manifest itself in the form of atopic dermatitis.
This disease is characterized by the development of erythema with bright redness of individual areas of the skin and severe tissue swelling.
Subsequently, such dermatitis can lead to the appearance of blisters, which, after opening, leave weeping erosions.
First aid for allergies at home for:
Quincke's edema
Treatment of this disease should never be delayed, as it may precede anaphylactic shock.
First aid for allergic reactions accompanied by angioedema should include the following measures:
- stopping the entry of the allergen into the body.
- refusal to eat.
- administration of antihistamines. Loratadine or cetirizine can be used orally; suprastin or diphenhydramine is usually prescribed intramuscularly.
- use of sorbents. In this case, enterosgel, activated carbon, and smecta are suitable. You can also give a person a cleansing enema.
If symptoms of urticaria appear, you need to act according to the following scenario:
- stop taking medications;
- If you have an allergic reaction to food, take a sorbent - white coal or enterosgel. You can also drink a laxative and rinse your stomach;
- If an insect bites you, you should get rid of the source of the poison;
- When a contact allergy occurs, you need to remove the irritant from the surface of the skin.
Tavegil, suprastin or diphenhydramine can be administered intravenously.
If large areas of skin are affected, intravenous administration of prednisolone is indicated.
If the necessary medications are not available, you need to rinse the stomach, do a cleansing enema, and give the patient activated charcoal.
Also, in the area of contact with the allergen, you can lubricate the skin with an ointment containing hydrocortisone or prednisolone.
You should also carry out the following sequence of actions:
- stop access of the allergen;
- position the person in such a way as to prevent the tongue from sticking in and swallowing vomit;
- apply a tourniquet above the insect bite or use a medicine;
- administer adrenaline, mesaton or norepinephrine intravenously or intramuscularly;
- administer prednisolone with glucose solution intravenously;
- Inject antihistamines intravenously or intramuscularly after normalization of blood pressure.
Before identifying the allergen, you can resort to topical remedies to treat allergic rashes.
Therapy should be aimed at eliminating swelling and reducing the feeling of itching of the skin.
To do this, you can wet the affected areas with cold water or use a cool compress.
To avoid the spread of an allergic rash, you need to protect the affected areas of the skin from external factors.
You should also limit contact of affected areas with water. It is very important that the skin comes into contact only with natural cotton fabric.
Sun
If an allergy to the sun leads to loss of consciousness, you should immediately call an ambulance.
Before doctors arrive, it is necessary to provide assistance to the victim:
- try to bring the person to consciousness.
- It is important to ensure that clothing is loose and does not irritate the skin.
- provide sufficient water to replenish fluid deficiency in the body.
- if the temperature exceeds 38 degrees, you need to apply a cool compress to the forehead, legs, and groin. If possible, it is necessary to use antipyretic drugs - paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- If vomiting occurs, the person should be turned on their side.
Find out what they are
types of allergies
Is it worth using Polysorb for allergies? The answer is here.
insect bite
An allergy to a bee sting occurs in approximately 2% of people. Moreover, upon the first bite, a reaction may not appear.
If there is a tendency to allergies, a person may develop anaphylactic shock when insect bites.
In this case, an urgent call to an ambulance is necessary, and before its arrival, the following measures must be taken:
- lay down and cover a person;
- give the victim several antihistamine tablets;
- in the absence of swelling of the pharynx and tongue, you can give him strong sweet tea or coffee;
- if breathing or heartbeat stops, you need to perform artificial respiration and closed cardiac massage.
Guidelines for helping with food allergies depend on the severity of the reaction. If life-threatening symptoms appear, you should immediately call an ambulance.
In other cases, you can:
- use sorbents– white coal, enterosgel.
- take an antihistamine– cetirizine, desloratadine, loratadine.
- in case of significant skin damage and severe itching, first generation antihistamines - suprastin - are used.
- for severe allergies, hormonal medications are indicated– dexamethasone, prednisolone.
- ointments are used to eliminate skin manifestations– fenistil, bepanten, skin-cap. In difficult cases, you can use topical hormonal drugs - hydrocortisone or prednisolone ointment.
First aid for allergies in a child consists of implementing the following measures:
- sit the baby upright - this position usually helps ease breathing. If dizziness occurs, he should be placed on the bed. If nausea is present, your head should be turned to the side.
- Give the child an antihistamine in any form - syrup, tablets, capsules. If the baby cannot swallow or has lost consciousness, the tablet must be crushed, mixed with water and poured into his mouth.
- If a child has lost consciousness, you need to constantly check his pulse, breathing, and pupils. If the child is not breathing or has no palpable pulse, you should immediately begin resuscitation measures - artificial respiration and cardiac massage.
Immediate help for the appearance of rashes on the face is to:
- cleansing the affected area;
- then a cool compress based on a decoction of sage, calendula or chamomile should be applied to the cleansed skin;
- gauze needs to be changed every two minutes;
- the total duration of the procedure should be ten minutes;
- after this, the face can be dried and sprinkled with potato or rice starch - these products will help eliminate redness and swelling;
- the procedure must be repeated several times within an hour.
Do not neglect antihistamines either. If allergies appear on the face, you can take tavegil, suprastin, loratadine. If the reaction does not go away, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The following medications should always be present in the first aid kit of a person prone to allergic reactions:
- general antihistamine – cetirizine, loratadine, etc.;
- antiallergic agent for topical use - hydrocortisone ointment, elocom;
- hormonal anti-inflammatory drug for relieving acute allergy attacks - prednisolone.
For people who have experienced anaphylactic shock at least once, doctors recommend that they always carry a syringe with adrenaline with them.
This will allow others to help the person with the development of severe allergies.
In case of a mild allergic reaction, it is enough to avoid contact with the allergen.
To eliminate rashes and reduce swelling, you can use folk remedies:
- sage decoction;
- chamomile;
- calendula.
If you have a severe allergy, you should never self-medicate.
In such a situation, you should urgently contact an ambulance or take the victim to the hospital - any delay can result in death.
If anaphylactic shock and other severe allergic reactions develop, you should not:
- Leaving a person alone.
- Give him something to drink or eat.
- Place any objects under your head, as this can lead to increased respiratory failure.
- Give antipyretics for fever.
If the allergy is associated with intravenous medication, there is no need to remove the needle from the vein. In this case, it is enough to stop the administration of the drug and use the syringe in the vein to inject the allergy medicine.
Proper and timely assistance for an allergic reaction can save a person’s life.
Therefore, when you see:
- severe skin rashes;
- breathing problems;
- drop in blood pressure
You must immediately call an ambulance and take all necessary actions before it arrives.
In recent years, the safety of pharmacotherapy has become especially important for doctors. The reason for this is the increase in various complications of drug therapy, which ultimately affect the outcome of treatment. An allergy to drugs is an extremely undesirable reaction that develops with the pathological activation of specific immune mechanisms.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate from such complications is almost 5 times higher than the mortality rate from surgical interventions. Drug allergies occur in approximately 17–20% of patients, especially with independent, uncontrolled use of drugs.
By and large, an allergy to medications can develop due to the use of any medication, regardless of its price.
Moreover, according to the mechanism of occurrence, such diseases are divided into four types. This:
- Immediate anaphylactic reaction. The main role in their development is played by class E immunoglobulins.
- Cytotoxic reaction. In this case, antibodies of the IgM or IgG class are formed, which interact with the allergen (any component of the drug) on the cell surface.
- Immunocomplex reaction. Such an allergy is characterized by damage to the inner wall of blood vessels, since the formed antigen-antibody complexes are deposited on the endothelium of the peripheral bloodstream.
- Delayed cell-mediated reaction. T-lymphocytes play the main role in their development. They secrete cytokines, under the influence of which allergic inflammation progresses.
But such an allergy does not always occur through only one of the listed mechanisms. There are often situations when several links in the pathogenetic chain are combined simultaneously, which causes a variety of clinical symptoms and the degree of their severity.
Allergies to medications should be distinguished from side effects associated with the characteristics of the body, overdose, or incorrect combination of medications. The principle of development of undesirable reactions is different, and accordingly, the treatment regimens are different.
In addition, there are so-called pseudoallergic reactions, which occur due to the release of mediators from mast cells and basophils without the participation of specific immunoglobulin E.
Most often, drug allergies are caused by the following drugs:
In addition, it can also occur due to some auxiliary ingredient, for example, starch in case of hypersensitivity to cereals, etc. This should also be taken into account when using any drug.
But the following are more prone to such allergies:
- patients with hereditary predetermination to hypersensitivity reactions;
- patients with previously occurring manifestations of allergies of any etiology;
- children and adults with diagnosed helminthic infestations;
- patients who exceed the frequency of taking the drug, the number of tablets or the volume of suspension recommended by the doctor.
In infants, various manifestations of an immunological reaction occur if the nursing mother does not follow an appropriate diet.
An allergy to drugs (with the exception of a pseudo-allergic reaction) develops only after a period of sensitization, in other words, activation of the immune system by the main component of the drug or auxiliary ingredients. The rate of development of sensitization largely depends on the method of administration of the drug. Thus, application of the drug to the skin or inhalation use quickly causes a response, but in most cases does not lead to the development of life-threatening manifestations for the patient.
But when administering a medicinal solution in the form of intravenous or intramuscular injections, there is a high risk of an immediate allergic reaction, for example, anaphylactic shock, which is extremely rare when taking tablet forms of the drug.
Most often, drug allergies are characterized by manifestations that are typical of other types of similar immune reactions. This:
- urticaria, an itchy skin rash that resembles a nettle burn;
- contact dermatitis;
- fixed erythema, unlike other signs of an allergic reaction, it manifests itself as a clearly defined spot on the face, genitals, oral mucosa;
- acneform rashes;
- eczema;
- erythema multiforme, characterized by the occurrence of general weakness, pain in the muscles and joints, a rise in temperature is possible, then, after a few days, papular rashes of the correct form of pink color appear;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a complicated type of exudative erythema, accompanied by a pronounced rash on the mucous membranes, genitals;
- bullous epidermolysis, a photo of which can be found in specialized reference books on dermatology, manifests itself in the form of an erosive rash on the mucous membranes and skin, and increased susceptibility to mechanical injury;
- Lyell's syndrome, its symptoms are the rapid defeat of a large area of the skin, accompanied by general intoxication and disruption of the internal organs.
In addition, drug allergy is sometimes accompanied by hematopoiesis suppression (usually this is noted against the background of long-term use of NSAIDs, sulfonamides, chlorpromazine). Also, a similar disease can manifest itself in the form of myocarditis, nephropathy, systemic vasculitis, periarteritis nodosa. Some drugs cause autoimmune reactions.
One of the most common signs of allergy is vascular damage. They manifest themselves in different ways: if the reaction affects the circulatory system of the skin, a rash occurs, of the kidneys - nephritis, of the lungs - pneumonia. Aspirin, Quinine, Isoniazid, Iodine, Tetracycline, Penicillin, sulfonamides can cause thrombocytopenic purpura.
Allergy to drugs (usually serum and streptomycin) sometimes affects the coronary vessels. In this case, a clinical picture characteristic of myocardial infarction develops; in such a situation, instrumental examination methods will help to make an accurate diagnosis.
In addition, there is such a thing as a cross-reaction resulting from a combination of certain medications. This is mainly observed when taking antibiotics of the same group at the same time, combining several antifungal agents (for example, clotrimazole and fluconazole), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin + paracetamol).
Diagnosing such a reaction to medications is quite difficult. Of course, with a characteristic allergic history and a typical clinical picture, it is not difficult to identify such a problem. But in the daily practice of a doctor, the diagnosis is complicated by the fact that allergic, toxic and pseudo-allergic reactions and some infectious diseases have similar symptoms. This is especially aggravated against the background of existing immunological problems.
No less difficulty arises with a delayed allergy to medications, when it can be quite difficult to trace the relationship between the course of treatment and the symptoms that have appeared. In addition, the same drug can cause different clinical signs. Also, a specific reaction of the body occurs not only to the agent itself, but also to its metabolites formed as a result of transformation in the liver.
Doctors tell you what to do if you develop an allergy to medications:
- Collecting an anamnesis about the presence of similar diseases in a relative, other, earlier manifestations of an allergic reaction. They will also learn how the patient tolerated vaccinations and courses of long-term therapy with other drugs. Doctors are usually interested in whether a person reacts to the flowering of certain plants, dust, food, cosmetics.
- Step-by-step staging of skin tests (drip, application, scarification, intradermal).
- Blood tests to determine specific immunoglobulins and histamine. But a negative result of these tests does not exclude the possibility of developing an allergic reaction.
But the most common scarification tests have a number of disadvantages. Thus, in case of a negative reaction on the skin, the absence of allergy in oral or parenteral use cannot be guaranteed. In addition, such tests are contraindicated during pregnancy, and when examining children under 3 years old, false results may be obtained. Their information content is very low in the case of concomitant therapy with antihistamines and corticosteroids.
What to do if you are allergic to medications:
- First of all, you should immediately stop taking the drug;
- take an antihistamine at home;
- If possible, record the name of the medication and the symptoms that appear;
- seek qualified help.
In case of a severe, life-threatening reaction, further therapy is carried out only in a hospital setting.
Methods for eliminating symptoms of an adverse drug reaction depend on the severity of the immune response. So, in most cases, you can get by with histamine receptor blockers in the form of tablets, drops or syrup. The most effective remedies are considered to be Cetrin, Erius, Zyrtec. The dosage is determined depending on the age of the person, but is usually 5-10 mg (1 tablet) for an adult or 2.5-5 mg for a child.
If the allergic reaction to medications is severe, antihistamines are administered parenterally, that is, in the form of injections. In the hospital, adrenaline and potent anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic drugs are injected to prevent the development of complications and death.
An immediate allergic reaction can be relieved at home by administering solutions of Prednisolone or Dexamethasone. If you are prone to such diseases, these products must be present in your home medicine cabinet.
To prevent a primary or repeated allergic reaction to medications from developing, it is necessary to take the following preventive measures:
- avoid combining incompatible drugs;
- the dosage of medications must strictly correspond to the patient’s age and weight, in addition, possible disorders of the kidneys and liver are taken into account;
- the method of using the medicine must strictly comply with the instructions, in other words, you cannot, for example, instill a diluted antibiotic into the nose, eyes or take it orally;
- When intravenous infusions of solutions, the rate of administration must be observed.
If you are prone to allergies, preventive premedication with antihistamines is necessary before vaccination, surgical interventions, or diagnostic tests using X-ray contrast agents.
Allergies to medications are quite common, especially in childhood. Therefore, it is very important to take a responsible approach to the use of medications and not self-medicate.
Sometimes allergies occur unexpectedly and threateningly. What to do in such cases? How does an allergy to medications manifest itself? How not to get confused if your life or the lives of loved ones is in danger? In order to answer these questions, you need to study your enemy. Allergy is a specific immune reaction to an allergen, expressed in the production of antibodies and immune T-lymphocytes. There are many types of specific reactions to various stimuli. Allergies to medications remain the most insidious and dangerous.
The danger is that the disease may not appear immediately, but as the allergen accumulates in the body. Another difficulty lies in the symptoms of allergies to medications. They can be very different, and sometimes they are not associated with the use of a particular drug. In order to understand what steps should be taken for timely diagnosis and treatment of drug allergies, the complications of drug allergies should be classified.
Complications that occur under the influence of drugs can be divided into two groups:
1. Immediate complications.
2. Complications of delayed manifestation: a) associated with changes in sensitivity;
b) not associated with changes in sensitivity.
At the first contact with the allergen, no visible or invisible manifestations may occur. Since medications are rarely taken once, the body's reaction increases as the irritant accumulates. If we talk about danger to life, then complications of immediate manifestation come forward. Allergies after medications cause:
- anaphylactic shock;
- Quincke's edema;
- hives;
- acute pancreatitis.
The reaction can occur over a very short period of time, from a few seconds to 1–2 hours. It develops quickly, sometimes at lightning speed. Requires emergency medical attention.
The second group is more often expressed by various dermatic manifestations:
- erythroderma;
- exudative erythema;
- measles-like rash.
Appears within a day or more. It is important to timely distinguish skin manifestations of allergies from other rashes, including those caused by childhood infections. This is especially true if a child is allergic to the medicine.
The body accumulates the “enemy” element and shows symptoms of drug allergy. The risk of occurrence increases if:
– there is a genetic predisposition (the presence of drug allergies in one of the generations);
– long-term use of one drug (especially penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, aspirin-containing drugs) or several drugs;
– use of medicine without medical supervision.
Now the question arises, if you are allergic to medications, what should you do?
It is necessary to correctly assess the situation and act immediately. Urticaria and Quincke's edema are essentially the same reaction. Multiple itchy porcelain-white or pale pink blisters begin to appear on the skin (urticaria). Then extensive swelling of the skin and mucous membranes develops (Quincke's edema).
As a result of edema, breathing becomes difficult and asphyxia occurs. In order to prevent death, it is necessary:
– immediately call emergency medical assistance;
– rinse the stomach if the medicine has recently been received;
– if the first aid kit contains one of such drugs as “Prednisolone”, “Diphenhydramine”, “Pipolfen”, “Suprastin”, “Diazolin” - take it immediately;
– do not leave the victim for a minute until the ambulance arrives;
– to reduce skin itching, lubricate the surface of the blisters with a 0.5–1% solution of menthol or salicylic acid.
The most dangerous reaction of the body to a drug allergy is anaphylactic shock. The symptoms of drug allergies in this form are frightening. There is a sharp decrease in pressure, the patient turns pale, loss of consciousness and convulsions occur. It's important not to panic. First aid:
- call an ambulance;
– turn your head to the side, unclasp your teeth and pull out your tongue;
– place the patient so that the lower limbs are slightly higher than the head;
– among medications, the drug “Adrenaline” is used.
Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock require immediate hospitalization.
This is a less dangerous drug allergy. Treatment can be carried out at home, but under the supervision of a doctor.
How do skin allergies from medications manifest?
– limited rashes (in certain areas of the body);
– widespread rashes (rash uniform throughout the body);
– the rash can be itchy, in the form of nodules, blisters, and spotty;
– manifestation of allergic erythema (damage to the skin and oral mucosa by spots that have sharp boundaries). The spots cover more of the internal (extensor) surfaces of the body.
Necessary:
– stop taking the drug that causes the allergy. If there were several drugs, antibiotics and drugs containing aspirin should be excluded first;
– take antiallergic drugs internally: Diazolin, Diphenhydramine, Suprastin.
After stopping the drug that causes the allergy, the rash goes away on its own, and no additional intervention is required.
Diagnosis should be used if symptoms of an allergy to drugs appear episodically. If the allergy manifested itself as an acute condition and a hospital is inevitable, a diagnosis will be made there, tests will be made and a course of treatment will be prescribed. In the case of sluggish forms, patients do not always rush for medical help, forgetting that each subsequent meeting with the allergen will manifest itself as a more pronounced and stronger reaction.
Knowing about the problem that has arisen, be sure to contact a medical institution to an allergist. Modern diagnostics provides several methods for identifying the perpetrators of allergic reactions. The most informative of them:
- Linked immunosorbent assay. The patient's blood is drawn. If the serum reacts with the allergen, the analysis shows the presence of LgE antibodies.
– Provocative tests. The patient's blood is mixed with a drug that can cause an allergy.
Diagnosis is important for patients who first resort to anesthesia, as well as in the case of the initial use of the drug in people prone to allergic reactions.
The question arises, if an allergy to a drug appears, how to treat it? After establishing the diagnosis and identifying the drugs to which the allergy occurred, they proceed to the same drug therapy. The following drugs are prescribed:
- calcium chloride;
– antihistamines (“Diphenhydramine”, “Diazolin”, “Tavegil”);
– glucocorticoids (“Dexamethasone”, “Hydrocortisone”, “Prednisolone”).
Non-traditional methods of treating drug allergies include:
– acupuncture;
– hirudotherapy;
– herbal medicine.
It is necessary to take measures to remove the drug that caused the allergic reaction as soon as possible:
– drink plenty of fluids (preferably alkaline mineral water);
– daily cleansing enemas;
– use of enterosorbents;
– intradroplet administration of cleansing preparations (hemodesis).
Intramuscular and intravenous use of vitamins is advisable only if there is a 100% guarantee that there is no allergy to them.
If an allergy to the skin from drugs causes itching, baths from herbal decoctions, soda compresses are used to eliminate it.
The modern world cannot be called environmentally friendly for humanity. Harmful substances of chemical, biological and toxic origin are released into the atmosphere every second. All this negatively affects the state of the immune system. Failure of the immune system leads to dire consequences: autoimmune diseases, symptoms of allergies to medications and other irritants.
1. Eating meat from poultry and animals raised on modern feed, inoculated with medications, people do not even suspect that they come into contact with many medications every day.
2. Frequent unjustified use of medications.
3. Inattentive study of the instructions for use of the drug.
4. Self-medication.
6. Presence of stabilizers, flavorings and other additives in medications.
Also, we must not forget about the possibility of reacting to mixing drugs.
If an allergy to medications occurs, what can you do to prevent it from happening again? It is mistakenly believed that the only method of preventing drug allergies is to stop taking the medicine that causes them. Strengthening the immune system has been and remains an important tool in the fight against allergies. The stronger the immune system, the lower the likelihood of this dangerous disease occurring.
Preventive measures include:
– Hardening.
Physical education and sports classes.
– Proper nutrition.
– No bad habits.
– If there were allergic manifestations to any drugs, this should be indicated in the medical record.
– Use of antihistamines before vaccinations.
– Knowing that you have a drug allergy or any other form of allergy, it is better to always have antihistamines with you. If you are prone to shock or Quincke's edema, always have an ampoule of adrenaline and a syringe in your pocket. This could save a life.
– Before using anesthetics, ask your dentist for a test.
If you follow these tips, the symptoms of a drug allergy will not recur.
If a car enthusiast starts filling his iron horse with low-quality gasoline, the car will not last long. For some reason, many of us don't think about what we put on our plate. A balanced diet and clean water are the key to a strong immune system and the ability to say goodbye not only to food but also drug allergies. Any disease puts a person who learns about it into a state of shock. Over time, it becomes clear that most of our diseases require not so much treatment as lifestyle changes. Drug allergies are no exception. In the modern world, and especially in the post-Soviet space, attention to one’s health is lacking at the proper level. This leads to undesirable and sometimes fatal consequences. It is cheaper and easier to prevent a disease than to spend money and effort on treating it later. Now that we know how allergies to medications manifest themselves, knowing the enemy by sight makes it easier to fight him. Be healthy.
Allergies to medications are a common problem, and the number of registered forms of this disease is only increasing every year.
Medicine has learned to cope with many diseases thanks to the development of pharmaceuticals.
When taking them in a course, general well-being improves, the functioning of internal organs improves, thanks to the medications, life expectancy has sharply increased, and the number of possible complications has decreased.
But treatment of diseases can be complicated by an allergic reaction to the drug used for treatment, which is expressed by different symptoms and requires the selection of another remedy.
Specific reactions to pharmaceutical drugs can occur in two categories of people.
First group.
In patients receiving drug therapy for any disease. An allergy does not develop immediately, but upon repeated administration or use of the drug. In the periods of time between two doses of the medicine, the body becomes sensitized and antibodies are produced; an example is an allergy to Amoxiclav.
Second group.
For professional workers who are forced to constantly come into contact with medications. This category includes nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. Severe, difficult-to-treat allergies to medications in many cases force a change in work activity.
There are several groups of drugs, the use of which has a high risk of developing allergies:
- Antibiotics cause the most common and severe symptoms of drug allergies, all details here anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Vaccines, serums, immunoglobulins. These groups of drugs have a protein base, which in itself already affects the production of antibodies in the body.
Of course, allergies can also develop when taking other medications, both for external and internal use. It is impossible to know its manifestation in advance.
Many people are predisposed to allergy-specific reactions to various drugs, as they suffer from other forms of allergies, with a hereditary predisposition, and also have fungal infections.
Often, drug intolerance is registered when taking antihistamines prescribed to eliminate other forms of allergies.
It is necessary to separate drug allergies from side effects and from symptoms that occur when the dose is exceeded.
Side effects are typical for many pharmaceutical drugs; some people do not experience them, while others may experience a whole range of accompanying symptoms.
Pronounced side effects require the prescription of an analogue of the drug. Intentional or involuntary excess of the dose leads to poisoning of the body; the symptoms of this condition are determined by the components of the drug.
When allergic to medications, symptoms in patients are expressed differently. After stopping the medication, they can go away on their own or, conversely, the patient requires emergency assistance.
It also happens that the human body can cope with a nonspecific reaction on its own and after several years, when using a similar medicine, symptoms are not detected.
The ability of drug components to form an antigen-antibody complex also depends on the form of their administration.
With oral consumption, that is, through the mouth, an allergic reaction develops in a minimal number of cases; with intramuscular injections, the likelihood of an allergy increases and the intravenous injection of drugs reaches its peak.
Moreover, when the medicine is administered into a vein, allergy symptoms can develop instantly and require prompt and effective medical care.
Allergic reactions are usually divided into three groups based on the speed of development.
The first group of reactions includes changes in a person’s general well-being that develop immediately after the medicine enters the body or within an hour.
These include:
- Anaphylactic shock;
- Quincke's edema;
- Acute urticaria;
- Hemolytic anemia.
The second group of reactions develops throughout the day, after the drug components enter the body.
- Thrombocytopenia is a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. A low platelet count increases the risk of bleeding.
- Agranulocytosis is a critical decrease in neutrophils, leading to a decrease in the body’s resistance to different types of bacteria.
- Fever.
The third group of nonspecific drug reactions develops over several days or weeks.
Typically this group is characterized by the appearance of the following conditions:
- Serum sickness.
- Allergic vasculitis.
- Polyarthritis and arthralgia.
- Damage to internal organs.
Allergies to medications manifest themselves in a wide variety of symptoms. It does not depend on the components of the drug and can manifest completely different symptoms in different people.
When allergies develop, skin manifestations come to the fore; urticaria, erythroderma, erythema, drug-induced dermatitis or eczema are often observed.
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