Table of contents:
- How to treat relapsing drug allergies
- 1. Stopping the use of drugs
- 2. Taking allergy medication
- 3. Apply a steroid cream to relieve itching
- 4. Epinephrine injection
- Home drug allergy treatment
- 1. Take a warm shower
- 2. Apply calamine lotion
- 3. Compressing ice into the itchy skin
- 4. Apply a moisturizer
Drug allergy occurs due to an abnormal reaction of the immune system to a drug. This condition not only causes a disturbing collection of symptoms, but also hinders the treatment of a disease. This is why if you have allergies to certain types of drugs, it is important to know how to treat and prevent them.
What are the treatment options available?
How to treat relapsing drug allergies
Allergic reactions should not be tolerated. If it is treated too late or if it is not treated properly, allergy symptoms that were mild can become severe. Some people are even at risk for anaphylaxis, which is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
Here are various treatments that can help treat drug allergies:
1. Stopping the use of drugs
If you experience allergy symptoms such as shortness of breath and itching not long after taking the medicine, stop using it immediately. In addition, do not insist on taking the next dose.
Allergic reactions usually appear within minutes to hours after using the drug. The types of drugs that most commonly cause allergic reactions include:
- Antibiotics such as penicillin.
- Aspirin and non-steroidal pain relievers (NSAIDs).
- Cancer chemotherapy drugs.
- Medicines for autoimmune diseases, including rheumatism.
- Corticosteroid creams or lotions.
- HIV / AIDS drugs.
- 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.
Keep track of what medications you take and when allergy symptoms start to appear. Afterward, go to your doctor or pharmacist for consultation and find out what drug triggered the reaction. Ask for other drug alternatives that are safer for you.
Keep a record of your medication and alternatives. In this way, you can deal with drug allergies that may recur at any time. This record will also help medical personnel or other people not mistakenly give you the medicine.
2. Taking allergy medication
Allergy sufferers are strongly advised to save allergy medicine and carry it everywhere. That way, if you experience a reaction, simply stop using the drug and relieve the symptoms by taking allergy medication.
The drugs most commonly used to treat drug allergies are antihistamines and corticosteroids. Both are effective in relieving mild allergic symptoms such as skin rashes and redness, sneezing and runny nose, to red eyes.
If an allergic reaction makes you short of breath and coughing, bronchodilator medications such as albuterol can be used. However, you should consult your doctor first because allergy medications can also trigger allergic reactions in some people.
3. Apply a steroid cream to relieve itching
In addition to taking medication, you can also apply a hydrocortisone cream containing steroids as a treatment for itching during allergies. Generally, you will be given a cream with a standard steroid dose.
Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for instructions on using steroid drugs. The reason is, you are not advised to use steroid creams too often, too much, or in the long term because they can cause side effects
4. Epinephrine injection
Epinephrine injections can be given as first aid for a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. Epinephrine works by restoring body systems that were affected by histamine during an allergic reaction.
You must inject epinephrine as soon as an anaphylactic reaction occurs. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include fainting, weakened heart rate, shortness of breath, severe itching, swelling, and redness of the skin.
Use this emergency allergy treatment exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. After using the medicine, you also still need to visit the emergency room because the allergic reaction can come back at any time.
Home drug allergy treatment
Apart from using drugs, it is also important to carry out various side-by-side treatments at home to relieve allergy symptoms. Here are some simple things you can try.
1. Take a warm shower
Warm baths are one of the home remedies for treating body itching due to drug allergies. Not only that, bathing with warm water also helps relieve swelling in the body due to an allergic reaction.
Before taking a shower, make sure that the water you use is warm, not hot. Hot water can actually remove moisture from your skin and make your itching worse.
2. Apply calamine lotion
Calamine is a lotion that can be used in the treatment of itching due to drug allergies. When applied to an itchy bump or rash, this medication creates a cold sensation that can soothe the inflammation in your skin.
Before using calamine lotion, wash your hands and the itchy area with soap and water. After that, apply the lotion as directed on the package. Do not use too much or too little of the recommended.
3. Compressing ice into the itchy skin
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying compresses to itchy areas of the skin as a way to treat recurrent drug allergies. You can do this treatment by attaching a bottle filled with cold water or a clean cloth dampened with water.
You can also place a few ice cubes in the plastic and wrap it in a thin towel. Apply the compress to the itchy and swollen area of the skin for 5-10 minutes until the itching subsides.
4. Apply a moisturizer
In addition to using an ice cube compress, you can also apply a skin moisturizer that is commonly used everyday after first cooling it in the refrigerator. Apply a cool moisturizer to the itchy skin as a treatment for itching due to drug allergies.
Drug allergies cause symptoms that are bothersome, and even severe in some people. Although allergies cannot be cured, taking medications can help relieve symptoms and prevent future allergies.
