Pollen, dust, animal dander, nuts, shellfish and other foods — these can all cause an allergic reaction in susceptible people. Show
Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Symptoms can range from being mildly uncomfortable and annoying to serious and life-threatening. So, it’s good to know what to do if you or someone you’re with has an allergic reaction. Allergist and immunologist Anuja Kapil, MD, breaks down what to look for in an allergic reaction and how to handle different situations. Symptoms of an allergic reactionWhen you eat, breathe in or touch something that you’re allergic to, your immune system produces histamines to deal with the bothersome substance. But while your body’s intentions might be good, that natural response can trigger symptoms like:
Treatment options for allergic reactionsGiven the range of reactions to allergens, treatment recommendations can vary from immediately calling 911 for help to simple at-home remedies. Different situations require vastly different responses. So, let’s break it down by some of the more common symptoms. Difficulty breathing or throat swellingDon’t delay getting medical attention for anaphylaxis, which is when allergic reactions take a severe turn. Dial 911 — and do it ASAP. Advertising Policy “Calling 911 is better than driving to the emergency department,” says Dr. Kapil. “Emergency medical technicians in an ambulance have protocols and access to treatments specifically for severe allergic reactions.” In addition, many people with potentially life-threatening allergies carry an injector that can deliver a dose of epinephrine (adrenaline). This shot of adrenaline — typically delivered in your thigh — can help reverse severe allergic reactions while you await medical care. Use the epinephrine injector if a reaction is serious. Your or someone’s life may depend on taking quick action. Food allergies are the most common trigger of anaphylaxis. Severe reactions also can be brought on insect stings, latex or medications. An allergic reaction that makes it difficult to breathe can create a sense of impending doom, says Dr. Kapil. Understand that an anaphylactic reaction can be an intense situation. It’s important to remain calm. Skin reactions (itching, redness or a rash)Wash the affected skin area with mild soap and lukewarm water to remove the allergen. Afterward, apply hydrocortisone cream or lotion. Calamine lotion and cool compresses may also bring relief. If your itchiness is severe, your rash doesn’t go away or you see signs of infection, call your doctor. Advertising Policy A few other tips:
HivesThe good news? Hives will subside in time. Meanwhile, it helps to:
Itching, sneezing and watery eyesWhen you have multiple allergic symptoms, a nasal spray or over-the-counter antihistamine such as loratadine (Claritin®) can treat them. Dr. Kapil advises against using products that have a sedative effect, such as Benadryl®. Don’t be afraid to seek helpKnowing what causes your allergic reaction can help you avoid future situations. It could even connect the dots to other potential allergens, too. For example:
So follow up with your doctor and ask about allergy testing, advises Dr. Kapil. “Testing can help pinpoint the reason behind your reaction,” he says. “Better yet, it might help keep you away from what triggered it.” As with other allergic reactions, these symptoms can occur when your body’s immune system becomes sensitized to a substance in the medication, perceives it as a foreign invader and releases chemicals to defend against it. People with drug allergies may experience symptoms regardless of whether their medicine comes in liquid, pill or injectable form. If you feel confused about your symptoms and which medications are safe for you to take then it’s time to take control and see an allergist. Drug Allergy Symptoms
Reactions can occur in any part of your body.
Don’t let allergies or asthma hold you back. Find an Allergist Common Triggers of Drug Allergies
Diagnosing Drug Allergies
Drug Allergy Management and Treatment
SymptomsWhile you may not experience allergic symptoms the first time you take a drug, your body could be producing antibodies to it. As a result, the next time you take the drug, your immune system may see it as an invader, and you’ll develop symptoms as your body releases chemicals to defend against it. These symptoms may include:
Penicillin causes most allergic drug symptoms. Just because you show allergic symptoms after taking penicillin doesn’t mean that you will react to related drugs, such as amoxicillin, but it’s more likely. Also, just because you had a reaction to penicillin (or any other drug) at one time doesn’t mean you will have the same reaction in the future. Antibiotics that contain sulfa drugs, such as Septra and Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim) and Pediazole (erythromycin-sulfisoxazole), occasionally cause allergic reactions. Nonantibiotic drugs containing sulfa are very low-risk. DiagnosingDrug allergies can be hard to diagnose. An allergy to penicillin-type drugs is the only one that can be definitively diagnosed through a skin test. Some allergic reactions to drugs – particularly rashes, hives and asthma – can resemble certain diseases. Your allergist will want to know the answers to these questions:
Your allergist will also want to know whether you have had a reaction to any other drug. If you can, bring the suspected drug with you. This will help the allergist recommend alternatives as needed. During a physical examination, your allergist will look for problems that are part of the drug reaction, along with nonallergic reasons for the reaction Depending on the drug suspected of causing the reaction, your allergist may suggest a skin test or, in limited instances, a blood test. A blood test may be helpful in diagnosing a severe delayed reaction, particularly if your physician is concerned that multiple organ systems may be involved. This rare reaction is known as “drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms” or, more commonly, “DRESS syndrome.” If a drug allergy is suspected, your allergist may also recommend an oral drug challenge, in which you will be supervised by medical staff as you take the drug suspected of triggering a reaction. (If your reaction was severe, a drug challenge may be considered too dangerous.) Management and TreatmentIf you have a drug allergy:
AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction that can simultaneously affect two or more organ systems (for instance, when there is both swelling and difficulty breathing, or vomiting and hives). If this occurs, call 911 and seek emergency medical care immediately. If you are caring for someone who appears to be having a severe reaction to a drug, tell the emergency care team what drug was taken, when it was taken and what the dosage was. If your allergic reaction to a drug is not life-threatening, your allergist may give you:
Drug desensitizationIf there is no suitable alternative to the antibiotic that you are allergic to, you will need to undergo drug desensitization. This involves taking the drug in increasing amounts until you can tolerate the needed dose with minimal side effects. This will most likely be done in a hospital so immediate medical care is available if problems develop. Desensitization can help only if you are taking the drug every day. Once you stop it – for example, when a chemotherapy cycle ends – you will need to go through desensitization a second time if you need the drug again. Penicillin AllergyNearly everyone knows someone who says they are allergic to penicillin. Up to 10% of people report being allergic to this widely used class of antibiotic, making it the most commonly reported drug allergy. That said, studies have shown that more than 90% of those who think they are allergic to penicillin, actually are not. In other words, 9 out of 10 people who think they have penicillin allergy are avoiding it for no reason. Even in people with documented allergy to penicillin, only about 20% are still allergic ten years after their initial allergic reaction. Penicillin, famously discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, is prescribed today to treat a variety of conditions, such as strep throat. Despite its efficacy, some people steer clear of penicillin for fear of experiencing an allergic reaction to the medication. Anyone who has been told they are penicillin allergic, but who hasn’t been tested by an allergist, should be tested. An allergist will work with you to find out if you’re truly allergic to penicillin, and to determine what your options are for treatment if you are. If you’re not, you’ll be able to use medications that are safer, often more effective and less expensive. Penicillin Allergy SymptomsMild to moderate allergic reactions to penicillin are common, and symptoms may include any of the following:
A less common but more serious, sudden-onset allergic reaction to penicillin is anaphylaxis, which occurs in highly sensitive patients. Anaphylaxis occurs suddenly, can worsen quickly and can be deadly. Symptoms of anaphylaxis might include not only skin symptoms, but also any of the following:
These symptoms require immediate attention at the nearest Emergency Room. Epinephrine, the therapy of choice, will be given in this urgent care setting, but should also be self-administered via autoinjector as soon as possible by patients who have already been prescribed and are wisely carrying this device. Penicillin Allergy Testing and DiagnosisAn allergist is your best resource to help you evaluate the safety of taking penicillin. In addition to assessing your detailed history about a prior allergic reaction to penicillin, allergists administer skin tests to determine if a person is or remains allergic to the medication. These tests, which are conducted in an office or a hospital setting, typically take about two to three hours, including the time needed after testing to watch for reactions. When safely and properly administered, skin tests involve pricking the skin, injecting a weakened form of the drug, and observing the patients reaction. People who pass penicillin skin tests by reacting negatively to the injection are seen as at low risk for an immediate acute reaction to the medication. The allergist might then give these individuals a single, full-strength oral dose to confirm the absence of a penicillin allergy. Those with positive allergy skin tests should avoid penicillin and be treated with a different antibiotic. If penicillin is recommended, people in some cases can undergo penicillin desensitization to enable them to receive the medication in a controlled manner under the care of an allergist. Penicillin Allergy TreatmentThose who have severe reactions to penicillin should seek emergency care, which may include an epinephrine injection and treatment to maintain blood pressure and normal breathing. Individuals who have milder reactions and suspect that an allergy to penicillin is the cause may be treated with antihistamines or, in some cases, oral or injected corticosteroids, depending on the reaction. Visit an allergist to determine the right course of treatment. If you were told you are allergic to penicillin but have never been tested, it’s time to see an allergist. FAQsHow long does it take to have an allergic reaction to a drug? The time varies from person to person. Some people may react right away, while others might take the drug several times before they have an allergic reaction. Most of the time symptoms will appear between 1-2 hours after taking the drug unless you have a more rare, delayed type reaction. Symptoms of these less common drug allergies include fever, blistering of the skin, and occasionally joint pain. Are drug allergy symptoms different than other allergy symptoms? Symptoms from a drug allergy can be like other allergic reactions and can include hives or skin rash, itching, wheezing, light headedness or dizziness, vomiting and even anaphylaxis. A combination of these symptoms makes it much more likely that it is an allergy than nausea and vomiting on their own, which are common side effects of medications. What is the treatment for drug allergies? Like most other allergies, the primary drug allergy treatment is avoidance. Once you find out you are allergic to a certain drug, your allergist will advise you to stay away from that drug. You will need to tell all your health care providers so you aren’t prescribed the drug in any situation. It’s wise to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace so medical personnel will know you are allergic. If you have a reaction to a drug, you need immediate treatment. The treatment will depend on how severe the reaction is. If a severe life-threatening reaction, called anaphylaxis, occurs, use your epinephrine auto injector and call 911. What are the symptoms of a penicillin allergy? Penicillin allergy symptoms vary, and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include hives, swelling – typically around the face, throat tightness, wheezing, coughing and trouble breathing. Anaphylaxis is a less common, more serious life-threatening reaction. It can come on suddenly, worsen quickly and can be fatal. Symptoms can include the ones listed above and any of the following:
If you experience any of these more severe symptoms, immediately use your epinephrine auto-injector and call 911. If I have a penicillin allergy, what alternative medications can I take? Although penicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, there are many others available if you have a penicillin allergy. Your doctor will decide which antibiotic to prescribe based on several factors including the type of bacteria, how severe the infection is, what your previous reaction was to penicillin and whether you’ve been tested for penicillin allergy. What are the most common drug allergies? Penicillin is the most common drug allergy. If you experience an allergic reaction after taking penicillin, you won’t necessarily have a similar reaction to related drugs such as amoxicillin. But it is more likely to happen. Anticonvulsant, aspirin, ibuprofen and chemotherapy drug allergies are also common. It’s possible to have a reaction to a drug at some point in your life and not suffer a similar reaction in the future. I had a penicillin allergy as a child. Will I have it for life? Not necessarily. In fact, up to 80% of people will lose their penicillin allergy if they avoid the drug for 10 years. It is important to be tested by an allergist to determine if you still truly allergic Is desensitization the same as no longer being allergic to a drug? No, but for daily medications, desensitization only needs to be performed once by your allergist. If the medication is taken daily, your body remains desensitized. If more than 2 days pass between doses, your body may not “remember” the desensitized state, and desensitization may need to be performed again. What is the best medicine for an allergic reaction?Antihistamines. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which is responsible for many of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Many antihistamines are available from your pharmacist without prescription – stock up in case of an emergency. Non-drowsy antihistamines are preferred.
What are 3 ways to treat an allergic reaction?Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Cover the area with a bandage. If there's swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Take an antihistamine to reduce itching, swelling, and hives.
How do you get instant relief from an allergic reaction?The following treatments are commonly used to reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction:. Antihistamines. ... . Nasal decongestants. ... . Anti-inflammatory medication. ... . Avoid the allergen. ... . Use a saline sinus rinse. ... . Treating environmental allergies. ... . Treating allergies on the skin. ... . Treating severe allergies.. What home remedy can I use for allergic reaction?Home remedies for allergies. Saline nasal irrigation.. Air filters. Consider using an air filter in your indoor environments. ... . Butterbur.. Bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme found in papaya and pineapple. ... . Acupuncture.. Probiotics.. Honey. ... . Air conditioners and dehumidifiers.. |
What can i take for an allergic reaction
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