Dorothy FarrarDrug allergy
Drug allergy is an uncomfortable condition that manifests itself when the patient takes drugs that the body cannot tolerate. Changes in the state of health and other – allergy-specific – symptoms are the result.
What is a drug allergy?
The physician uses the term drug allergy to describe the deterioration in health due to the intake or administration of a drug.
In this context, the patient complains of changes in the shape of the skin and changes in the mucous membranes. Drug allergies are often caused by spontaneous changes in the state of health after ingestion.
causes
The cause of a drug allergy is different and varied. As a rule, any drug can trigger an allergy . Even means that are classified as harmless are definitely responsible for flare-ups of allergies. Even vitamins contained in medicines could theoretically trigger a drug allergy.
However, there are medicines that are typical for allergy triggers. Antiepileptics , analgesics and antibiotics in particular promote drug allergies. Classic triggers include gold preparations in medicines. New drugs such as sorafenib are also known triggers for drug allergies. The use of gold preparations is rather rare these days – nevertheless, use of the preparation can promote drug allergies.
When to the doctor?
If unusual physical symptoms occur directly in connection with taking medication, a doctor must be consulted immediately. In the case of sudden stomach cramps , body pains or nausea, the symptoms must be clarified by a doctor. If vomiting or sudden diarrhea occurs within 2 hours of taking the medicine, a doctor should be informed. Due to the intolerance of the preparation, the effectiveness of the ingredients could not yet develop in the organism. This has an impact on the treatment process of the underlying disease.
In the event of sudden shortness of breath or anaphylactic shock, an ambulance must be called immediately. The immune system breaks down within a few seconds or minutes and multiple organ failure occurs. A circulatory collapse, involuntary muscle movements and a drastic drop in blood pressure set in. Since there is danger to life, first aid measures must be taken until the emergency doctor arrives.
Allergic reactions can also occur if the medication is taken over a longer period of time. Skin changes, itching, inner restlessness, mood swings or a diffuse feeling of being unwell often occur in this context. Headaches or persistent dizziness are also signs of a drug allergy. Consultation with a doctor is necessary so that the triggering agent of the allergic reaction can be determined.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of drug allergies:
Drug allergy symptoms vary. As a rule, symptoms only appear after seven or twelve days after taking the drug. Above all, the intensive and long-term intake of the drug favors the allergy and its symptoms. If the patient suffers from a severe drug allergy, the symptoms appear after 48 hours.
The patient complains of various symptoms. As a rule, the patient reports a scarlet-like redness on the skin. For this reason, the doctor must rule out various infections and diseases when making the diagnosis. The redness is not always reminiscent of scarlet fever – the patient often associates the skin change with measles . Patients also report papules. Large-scale skin irritations are also possible with a drug allergy.
The skin complaints always appear in the same places. Patients often complain of itching or burning. After the skin irritation has healed, a greyish pigmentation often remains. Other symptoms of a drug allergy are not known and fever, nausea, diarrhea or even vomiting can also occur individually.
Diagnose
The problem with diagnosing drug allergies is that many patients have taken multiple pills at the same time. This means that the doctor does not know which drug is ultimately allergic to. The doctor is also faced with the problem that he makes the wrong diagnosis for the first time because of the cold .
Many people suffer from drug allergies for years and do not know it because the doctor keeps making the wrong diagnosis. First and foremost, the doctor prescribes a skin test. With the help of blood tests and also the evaluation of the skin test, it can be determined whether a possible allergy is present. Patients must also repeatedly document the intake of tablets – if a drug allergy is suspected. This is the only way for the doctor to diagnose a drug allergy and, if necessary, also to determine to which drug an allergy exists.
The well-known anamnesis as well as the conversation with the patient is helpful to determine whether it is an allergy or not. However, many patients misjudge their body and go to the doctor only because of the cold – they too believe that the symptoms arose because of the cold.
complications
Drug allergies can cause a variety of symptoms and complications. In most cases, however, the affected person can discontinue the respective drug after consultation with a doctor or replace it with another in order to avoid the symptoms of the drug allergy. As a rule, however, there are severe rashes on the skin and reddening. Certain regions of the body can become swollen and the patient often suffers from sweating and dizziness.
There is also shortness of breath, which can lead to a panic attack in many patients . The quality of life is extremely reduced by the drug allergy and everyday life is made more difficult for those affected.
In acute emergencies, treatment with antihistamines can also take place to relieve the symptoms directly. As a rule, the options for treating diseases in patients are severely limited by the drug allergy. However, this can also occur if the person concerned has taken a drug for a long period of time. In many cases, however, it is possible to switch to another drug because it has the same effect. In most cases, no further complications arise.
treatment and therapy
Drug allergy treatment varies. Of course, the patient must immediately discontinue the suspected drug. Among other things, the doctor can determine whether the allergy actually came from the preparation or not.Other possibilities are the treatments of the complaints. Many people go into anaphylactic shock when taking the drugs. Others, on the other hand, have few reactions and do not require therapy. Treatment is more related to the fact that the patient refrains from the drug. Of course, that means he has to find an alternative here. Many people with a drug allergy have the problem that they have no alternative and therefore have to do without the drug altogether. Allergy shock is considered the greatest complication of drug allergy.
Further treatments amount to combating the symptoms – the doctor treats an itchy rash with an ointment, nausea with drops or diarrhea with a diet . Testing for allergies is rarely used to prescribe medication for a symptom.
prevention
A drug allergy cannot usually be prevented. The allergy or intolerance often occurs when certain drugs are consumed for too long. For this reason, it is advisable if drugs are only consumed by the patient when there is no other option. Above all, many patients tend to take too many painkillers . This consumption must also be drastically reduced.
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.