Drug allergy: symptoms, causes, prevention, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is a drug allergy?

Drug allergy is an abnormal allergic reaction of the body's immune system to drugs. The drugs in question include over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs and herbal medicines, whether taken orally used in other ways.

The most common symptoms of a drug allergy are fever and itching and rash on the skin. This condition can affect each person in different ways, depending on the severity of the allergy and how much medication you are taking.

How is it different from the side effects of drugs?

Drug allergies are different from drug side effects. Side effects are the effects that healthy people taking medication may experience and do not always involve the immune system. This condition may be detrimental, but it can also be beneficial.

For example, aspirin used to treat headaches often causes stomach upset. However, this drug also has a beneficial side effect, which is to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Meanwhile, allergic reactions are a collection of symptoms caused by the human immune system's reaction to allergens. In this case, the triggering agent is the drug you are using.

Type

What are the types?

There are various types of medicines that can cause allergy symptoms. Many researchers suspect that the appearance of allergy symptoms is more common as a result of using the following medications.

1. Antibiotics

About 1 in 15 people are allergic to antibiotics, especially those from the penicillins and cephalosporins. Even so, other antibiotics with content similar to penicillin and cephalosporin can cause me to have a similar reaction.

2. NSAID pain relief

Ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid are very commonly used non-steroidal pain relievers (NSAIDs). Although safe, both can actually trigger allergic reactions in some people. People who are allergic to these drugs may also be allergic to aspirin and naproxen sodium.

3. Paracetamol

This drug works to relieve mild to moderate pain and often causes allergic reactions to paracetamol. Allergies occur because the immune system overreacts to the ingredients in them.

The reaction usually does not appear the first time you take paracetamol, but after the body has been repeatedly exposed to this drug.

4. Drugs that affect immune system function

Allergic reactions are closely related to the immune system response. Therefore, drugs that affect the function of the immune system also have the potential to cause allergic reactions. Types of drugs that can trigger include:

• cancer chemotherapy drugs
• HIV / AIDS drugs, as well
• medicines for autoimmune diseases, including rheumatism.

5. Drugs and other products

Allergic reactions can also appear after the use of drugs and products:

• Corticosteroid creams or lotions.
• Medicinal products / supplements / vitamins that contain bee pollen .
• Echinacea , herbs commonly used for colds.
• Dyes used for MRI, CT scan , etc (radiocontrast media).
• Opiates for chronic pain.
• Local anesthetic.

Symptoms

What are the characteristics of the allergies?

Allergic reactions usually occur within an hour of using medications. Here are the symptoms of this allergy.

1. Itchy rash on the skin

An itchy rash or hives are the most common symptoms of allergies. These symptoms usually appear within a few minutes of taking the medication. The rash can appear on only one part of the body or several areas at once.

Allergy symptoms on the skin occur because the immune system releases histamine. Histamine plays a role in triggering inflammation and calls in more immune cells to fight allergens. However, these chemicals also cause a variety of allergy symptoms.

2. Fever

Fever is triggered by an inflammatory reaction in the body. Inflammation occurs when the immune system releases antibodies and histamine to fight allergens. In these conditions, the body will raise the temperature as a signal that something is wrong.

This one allergy symptom usually lasts briefly and will get better after taking medication for allergies. If the fever lasts for days, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

3. Itchy and watery eyes

The consumption of drugs can also cause allergy symptoms in the eyes. Not without reason, this happens when immune cells around the eyes detect the presence of drugs that are considered allergens.

The immune system then secretes antibodies and histamine through special cells called mast cells. This response causes the eyes to itch, water, become red, and sometimes appear swollen.

4. Swelling

Swelling is caused by the immune system perceiving the medicine you are taking as a dangerous substance. The immune system eventually releases various chemicals that cause swelling of the skin, lips, tongue and throat.

Sometimes, swelling can also occur in the internal organs, causing pain in the chest or abdomen. These symptoms usually last for 1-3 days and will get better after you stop taking the medication that triggers the allergy.

5. Other more serious symptoms

In addition to the common symptoms already mentioned, drug allergies can also cause other, more serious symptoms, such as:

• There is redness and pain on the skin.
• The skin appears to be peeling or there are blisters.
• Rash that spreads to the eyes, mouth, and genital area.
• Shortness of breath and discomfort in the body.

When do you need to see a doctor?

Drug allergies are generally not dangerous, but you need to consult a doctor if symptoms do not improve or even get worse. Further examination helps in determining the cause of the allergy and the appropriate treatment.

You should also get checked out if you have a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a group of severe allergic symptoms that occur suddenly. This condition is classified as an emergency and can be fatal if left untreated.

The following are signs of anaphylaxis that need to be watched out for.

• Swelling of the tongue and throat, causing difficulty breathing.
• The heart beats with a weak pulse.
• Drastic drop in blood pressure.
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Restlessness or dizziness.
• Fainting or coma.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a certain symptom, try to consult a doctor so that you can undergo further tests.

Cause

What causes drug allergies?

Allergies are the immune system's response to chemicals in drugs. In fact, this response should be aimed at germs or certain substances that can cause damage to the body.

The immune system actually perceives drugs as dangerous chemicals, then attacks them by releasing antibodies and chemicals including histamine. The combination of antibodies and chemicals is what then causes the reaction symptoms.

Risk factors

Who is at risk for this allergy?

Adults, seniors, and children can have allergies to drugs or similar products. In fact, you may become allergic to drugs that have been used many times before without side effects.

It is not clear what makes a person's immune system more sensitive to certain drugs. However, here are factors that increase the risk.

1. Genetic factors

Genetic conditions can increase a person's chances of becoming sensitive to certain drugs. For example, if you and your partner are allergic to a drug, your child has a 75% risk of developing the same condition.

2. Has experienced drug hypersensitivity

According to World Allergy, some people who have experienced hypersensitivity to certain drugs are also at risk of becoming sensitive to other drugs. One possible form of sensitivity is allergies.

3. Other factors

Other factors that put you at risk for drug allergies include:

• There is a history of asthma or other allergies, such as food or dust allergies.
• There are close family members who have allergies.
• Using drugs with ingredients such as drugs that previously triggered a reaction.

Diagnosis

How is a drug allergy diagnosed?

Drug allergy can be diagnosed through the following allergy tests.

1. Physical examination

The doctor will first check the body's reaction to the drug, for example if there is a rash and itching. In addition, there is also an examination of heart rate and respiration while taking the drug.

Your doctor will also ask you what medications you have been taking and when your symptoms first appeared. If you are allergic to other drugs with the same ingredients, you may have an allergy to them.

2. Skin test

The allergy specialist or nurse will give you an extract of the allergen that is suspected of being an allergy trigger. Giving allergies can be through a skin prick test (skin prick test), patch test (skin patch test), or injections into the skin.

The doctor then observes the symptoms for 15 minutes. If you have itching or red bumps on the area of ​​the pricked skin, you may have a drug allergy.

3. Blood test

Doctors sometimes order blood tests to check for antibodies that are associated with an allergic reaction. This method can also be used if the patient is not advised to undergo a skin test for some reason.

Medicine and Medicine

What are the treatment options available?

Here are some ways to deal with drug allergies.

1. Antihistamines

When you encounter a medicinal allergen, your body will release histamine as a red flag. The release of histamine can trigger allergy symptoms such as swelling, itching, or irritation.

Therefore, your body needs an antidote, namely antihistamine drugs. This medication inhibits the release of histamine in the body as well as relieves symptoms such as itchy skin, rashes, and redness.

2. Corticosteroids

Drug allergies cause inflammation, swelling of the respiratory tract, and other serious symptoms. Corticosteroid drugs can treat symptoms of drug allergy by reducing inflammation.

3. Bronchodilator drugs

If a drug allergy causes a cough, doctors usually recommend bronchodilators. Bronchodilators help open the airways so you can breathe easier. This medication is available in both liquid and powder form for internal use inhaler .

4. Epinephrine injection

Epinephrine injections are first aid for severe allergies. This drug works by restoring the effects of histamine on the body so that heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing return to normal.

5. Desensitization

Desensitization is not really a definite treatment for drug allergies. This treatment is designed so that your body can temporarily tolerate a drug allergen. To do this, the doctor will give you a small dose of drugs.

The dose of the drug is then gradually increased every 15 to 30 minutes over several hours or days. After seeing how big the reaction rate, the doctor will test and measure at which dose your allergy starts to react.

Home remedies

What are some self-help treatments that can be done at home?

The best thing you can take to prevent a drug allergy is to stop taking the drug that triggered it. Try asking your doctor if there are other types of medication that you can use as an alternative.

Here are lifestyle, home remedies, and prevention of allergic reactions that can help you manage the condition.

• Know what drug is the trigger. Avoid taking this drug after consulting a doctor for a safer alternative.
• Always tell your condition to all relevant medical personnel, including the dentist, nurse, or pharmacist who will prescribe the drug.
• Consider bringing a medical card, bracelet, or necklace with information on your allergies.
• Keep a list of all the drugs you take.
• Don't use someone else's medicine or give your medicine to someone else.

Drug allergy is a condition that has a major impact on health. In addition to triggering various symptoms in the body, this condition can also hinder treatment because you have to find safer alternative drugs.

If you experience signs of allergies after using certain drugs, stop using them and consult a doctor. Early testing can prevent severe allergic reactions in the future.