Dorothy FarrarCortisone allergy
In the case of a cortisone allergy, people react allergically to the medicinal substance cortisone. Cortisone is mainly used for contact allergies. Basically, the substance is a substance or a hormone that is also naturally present in the human organism and fulfills various functions. In medical use, however, cortisone is artificially synthesized in the majority of cases.
What is a cortisone allergy?
A cortisone allergy occurs mainly when the active ingredient is used as a drug. In many cases, cortisone is used in combination with creams or ointments. The drug is usually applied directly to the skin. In addition to being used on the skin, cortisone is also known as an aerosol. It is usually used in sprays and is used for local treatment of the respiratory tract. In addition, it is possible to administer the medicinal substance cortisone by injection.
The substance cortisone is mainly produced in the human adrenal cortex. Cortisone belongs to the group of so-called glucocorticoids, which play an important role in bone formation and metabolism, among other things.
In addition, cortisone fulfills a central function in the water balance and the immune system of the human body. Glucocorticoids are very similar in their effects and are therefore often referred to as cortisone.
A distinctive feature of cortisone is that it is itself used to treat numerous allergies. The majority of allergy sufferers are familiar with the drug cortisone. Because it is a very effective active ingredient in allergic reactions. The problem, however, is that a certain proportion of people develop a cortisone allergy.
causes
As part of the cortisone allergy, the affected organism develops an allergy to the substance cortisone. Cortisone is a hormone that humans also produce themselves. It is also artificially produced and used to treat various allergies and inflammatory diseases. The dosage forms of cortisone are diverse and range from ointments to sprays.
As part of the cortisone allergy, the human immune system develops a so-called sensitization to the allergenic substance. If the active substance gets into the affected organism, it is immediately recognized by the immune system. As a result, the sick person suffers from the typical symptoms of cortisone allergy. In many cases, this leads to a so-called contact allergy to the cortisone. The trick of a cortisone allergy is that the symptoms of the allergy often resemble the signs of the disease that are fought with the cortisone-containing ointment. For example, there is swelling and redness on the skin.
Certain people are at particular risk of developing a cortisone allergy. This primarily includes patients with neurodermatitis and other types of contact allergy . If these people regularly use skin creams containing cortisone to treat their allergy, a cortisone allergy sometimes develops. Patients with asthma are also at riskwho frequently use sprays containing cortisone. In this case, too, some people develop a sensitization to the cortisone over time. As a result, allergic reactions to the active ingredient cortisone appear. The difficulty lies in the similarity of the symptoms of the contact allergy originally to be treated and those of the cortisone allergy. This sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose a cortisone allergy.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms:
A cortisone allergy can be recognized, among other things, by the fact that it causes symptoms similar to the original symptoms of the disease. So if patients use cortisone as a drug and get the impression that the disease is getting worse, they may have a cortisone allergy. Typical signs of a cortisone allergy include rashes on the skin, itching and eczema. Suspicion that an allergy is present is a good reason to consult a doctor. A cortisone allergy should always be taken seriously, as the patient is in an allergic shock ( anaphylactic shock) can suffer. In the worst case, this can lead to respiratory arrest and thus to the death of the person concerned. Therefore, all symptoms of a cortisone allergy should be presented to a doctor.
Diagnose
If you suspect a cortisone allergy, see a doctor immediately. The doctor who prescribed the preparation containing cortisone is suitable first. Together with the patient, the treating doctor discusses the medical history and the symptoms of the allergy that occur. In the course of this anamnesis, in most cases the indications of the presence of a cortisone allergy are intensified.
The cortisone allergy is finally diagnosed by clinical methods of examination. For example, the doctor analyzes the patient’s blood. The doctor looks for antibodies and other allergy markers. The patch test plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of cortisone allergy. In this way, the cortisone allergy can be diagnosed with comparative certainty. The relevant allergy tests are usually carried out by specialized allergists or dermatologists.
complications
If the allergy sufferer has repeated contact with cortisone, various complications can occur. The eczema that typically occurs can become inflamed and lead to further infections. As it progresses, pus formation or even blood poisoning can occur, which in turn can cause tissue necrosis, high fever and other life-threatening symptoms. An allergic reaction can also be associated with water retention, which, if left untreated, can lead to cardiovascular and movement disorders.
Itching, shortness of breath and sweating are other possible symptoms that can occur with an allergic reaction and are each associated with complications. In the worst case, contact with cortisone can result in anaphylactic shock, which can cause the patient to stop breathing and thus die. The treatment of a cortisone allergy carries the risk of side effects and interactions from the prescribed drugs. Typical complications are headaches, skin irritations and gastrointestinal problems. An allergy test is also associated with risks and can, for example, cause a severe allergic reaction.
treatment and therapy
Due to the numerous sub-forms of artificially produced cortisone, there are various options for treating a cortisone allergy. For example, the doctor prescribes another product containing cortisone to treat the original disease, to which the patient is not allergic. As part of an allergy test, it is possible to find the cortisone responsible for the allergy and switch to another.
In the context of a cortisone allergy, various cross-allergies are possible. These mainly focus on different types of glucocorticoids. In addition, with a cortisone allergy there is a risk of anaphylactic shock, which should never be underestimated. If a person shows corresponding symptoms, an ambulance must be called and first aid (see graphic) provided.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.