Tag: Anaphylaxis

Facts About Drug Allergies

11 February, 2010 (15:33) | Allergies | By: Health news

When you are sick, chances are that you’ll make an appointment to go to the doctor. Once there, your physician will give you an examination, determine your problem, and probably prescribe you medication meant to help you recover. Sadly, though, if you have a drug allergy, taking the medicine that you’re allergic to can result in a life-threatening or even deadly reaction.

Medications contain powerful drugs that work to help you fight infections and other such issues. Because everyone is different, some people react differently than others to the same drugs. Interestingly, people typically have an adverse reaction to a medication the second time they take a drug rather than the first. Thus, you may not even be aware that you have a drug allergy. However, once you do learn of your problem, it is important to always let your physician know about the allergy before he or she prescribes you a medicine that proves to be more harmful than helpful.

An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system actually overreacts to a drug. Sometimes caused hypersensitivity, a person can develop this problem through things such as a longtime exposure to a drug, large doses of the chemical, intravenous injection, and a predilection to develop allergies.

There are “families” of drugs that all encompass one main component, basically an active ingredient.

Some drugs cause allergic reactions more commonly than others, including:

  • Analgesics – codeine, morphine, NSAIDs, aspirin
  • Antibiotics – sulfa, penicillin, tetracycline
  • Antiseizures – phenytoin, carbamazepine

Even though you may not be having an allergic reaction to a topical medication, the skin often gives hints that a drug is not reacting well with your body. If you are having an allergic reaction to a drug, you may notice that you develop a rash, hives, sensitivity to sunlight, erythema multiforme. Erythema multiforme describes the condition of red, raised patches of skin which are often itchy and may occur with swelling of the face and/or tongue.

Internally, the overreaction of your immune system to a drug can cause the following:

  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Kidney inflammation
  • Muscle/joint aches

Additionally, one very serious part of an allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock. This can happen gradually or quickly, but you must go to the emergency room to save yourself from the death that can occur as a result of anaphylactic shock.

Signs that you are going into anaphylaxis include hives, difficulty breathing, light-headedness, rapid heart beat or arrhythmia, and swelling of the face or extremities.

Sometimes, neither a doctor nor you can predict the way in which you will react to a medication. However, if a physician does not acknowledge a known allergen or does not handle your reaction properly, it can result in serious health issues and even death. If you or someone you know has had a medication prescribed improperly, this may count as medical malpractice. You should speak to a lawyer today about your options.

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Child Allergies – Understanding & Dealing With Allergies in Your Children

24 October, 2009 (07:05) | Allergies | By: Health news

Studies have shown that more than 1 in 5 children suffer from allergies and you child might just be one as well. It’s important to understand child allergies and to be aware of the triggering factors within your child.

Allergies are designed to protect us but sometimes our immune systems might take it a little too far and over-react to certain air-borne pollutants and food. When it occurs in young children, especially babies, they can be quite miserable indeed. The symptoms can be anywhere from a simple runny nose, to itchy eyes, stomach aches, rashes and eczema.

With child allergies becoming more and more common these days, we need to learn how to deal with it as part of live. Recent statistics are showing that the number of child allergies are on the rise and “Anaphylaxis“, a severe allergic reaction that occurs where the blood pressure drops and breathing becomes quite difficult is increasing as well.

While small children can be allergic to many things, food is by far the most common factor.  Foods such as eggs, nuts, soy, wheat and dairy are normally responsible for allergic reaction, especially when ingested for the first time by the child.

The most common signs that your child is allergic to a certain type of food might be the break of our a rash, hives or eczema. Stomach upsets and vomiting is not uncommon either. These symptoms are considered mild and for other more serious reactions like breathing difficulties, call an ambulance right away – do not risk your child’s life by thinking that the reaction might subside soon.

Usually it is quite difficult to tell if your child’s reaction to a certain food will change as they grow older, but as seen in most cases, if the allergic reaction is mild it will generally remain that way. Overall, most children do outgrow these food allergies by the time they start attending school.  However, there are certain allergies like nuts, that people normally never outgrow and become life-long sufferers.

Other allergens such as grass, pet hair, mold and dust mites might cause allergies in children as well. The most common symptoms are runny noses, sneezing and itchy red eyes. Child allergies can also spawn from bee stings or insect bites which can result in a mild rash to the more severe breathing difficulties. Do consult your doctor with regards to what to do should these events occur.

In conclusion, although it is not possible to actually prevent allergies in your children, you can help them by educating them on what the allergic triggers are, so that they know how to avoid allergens when possible.

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