Paracetamol allergy: causes, symptoms, treatment, etc.

Definition

What is a paracetamol allergy?

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever drug from the analgesic class to treat mild to moderate pain. The complaints he treats include headaches, menstrual pain, toothaches, joint pain, and fever.

Paracetamol allergic reaction is a reaction of the immune system to substances contained in the drug paracetamol. In allergy sufferers, consumption of this drug can cause reactions in the form of hives, rashes, headaches, to shortness of breath.

A complete medical history and allergy testing are needed to diagnose a paracetamol allergy. To reduce the severity of the symptoms, you can take common allergy medications or do allergy therapy.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of a paracetamol allergy?

Paracetamol allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe, life-threatening reactions. The most common symptoms include:

• itchy bumps (hives),
• a reddish rash on the skin,
• itchy and watery eyes, as well
• swelling of the eyes, lips, and throat.

When do you need to see a doctor?

In some cases, an allergic drug reaction can be so severe that it causes anaphylactic shock. Signs include shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure, and a racing heart. This condition requires medical attention as soon as possible.

In addition, you should also contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms.

• Fever.
• Hard to breathe.
• Itchy redness on the skin that feels painful.
• The outside of the skin peels off without any blisters.
• The rash or blisters spread to the eyes, mouth and genitals
• The skin appears blistered.
• Dizziness, fainting, or even loss of consciousness.

There may be other mild to severe symptoms that have not been mentioned above. Therefore, you should contact your doctor whenever you experience unusual symptoms after taking paracetamol.

Cause

What causes paracetamol allergy?

Paracetamol allergy is a form of drug allergy. This condition is caused by an overreaction of the immune system to chemicals in drugs. In fact, drugs such as paracetamol actually help restore health or cure disease.

The immune system should react to germs such as viruses or substances that harm the body. In people who do not have allergies, their immune system does not react to the drug paracetamol.

Meanwhile, in allergy sufferers, their immune system actually considers drugs as dangerous substances. The immune system then sends out resistance in the form of antibodies, histamine, and other chemicals which eventually cause an allergic reaction.

Experts do not fully understand the causes of this one allergy. However, allergies usually don't appear when you first take paracetamol. An allergic reaction may occur after repeated exposure to this pain reliever.

Diagnosis

How to diagnose a paracetamol allergy?

Paracetamol allergy is diagnosed by looking at your previous medical history. The doctor will first ask about your symptoms and a list of what medications you are taking.

If the doctor suspects a paracetamol allergy, the examination is followed by an allergy test as follows.

1. Skin prick test (skin prick test)

A skin prick test is done by pouring an allergen extract onto the top layer of your arm's skin. After that, the doctor will prick the skin where the drug has been dropped with a special small needle.

The doctor then monitors your condition for 15 minutes to see if there is an allergic reaction. All test procedures are performed by an allergist and are completely painless.

2. Patch test (skin patch)

For this test, the doctor puts a plaster of the drug on your skin for a minimum of 48 hours. The tape must not get wet or open. After 2 to 4 days, the doctor will check the reaction and determine a diagnosis.

3. Blood test

Blood tests are performed when you cannot take a skin test due to a certain condition. Your doctor will take a sample of your blood. The sample is then tested in the laboratory by the doctor to see if there are any antibodies that appear when given paracetamol.

How to read a diagnosis from a doctor

After studying your symptoms, medical history, and allergy test results, your doctor will give one of the following conclusions.

• You are positive for a paracetamol allergy.
• You don't have a drug allergy.
• You may have a paracetamol allergy, but the exact level is not clear.

These conclusions can assist physicians in making future treatment and treatment decisions.

Medicine and medication

What treatment options are available?

Paracetamol allergy cannot be cured. Even so, there are treatments available to relieve minor symptoms such as rashes, itching, and swelling. The following are various treatments that are generally recommended by doctors.

1. Stop taking paracetamol drugs

If you experience a reaction after taking the drug and the cause is proven to be due to allergies, stop using the drug immediately. Continuing to take paracetamol can actually make your symptoms worse.

2. Antihistamines

To relieve recurrent allergy symptoms, you can take an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine. These drugs work by blocking histamine and other chemicals released by the immune system during an allergy.

3. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid drugs can be relied on to deal with inflammatory reactions due to allergies. Although effective, these drugs, which are available in oral and injectable forms, must be used according to a doctor's prescription and recommendation to reduce the risk of side effects.

4. Epinephrine injection

Epinephrine is first aid for severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. These injections can stabilize blood pressure and keep your breathing functioning properly during and after an allergy.

5. Desensitization

Desensitization is a therapy done so that the immune system is no longer too sensitive to paracetamol. Desensitization can be recommended for people with paracetamol allergy who still have to take this drug.

During desensitization, your doctor will periodically inject a small amount of the drug paracetamol into your body. Treatment starts at a low dose and continues to increase until your immune system "learns" to tolerate the drug.

Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used first-line pain relievers. Allergy to this drug is certainly detrimental for people who need to consume it regularly.

Although it cannot be completely cured, you can relieve allergy symptoms with medication or therapy in the form of desensitization. Discuss with your doctor to determine the type of treatment that suits you.