Drug allergies are the most feared group of allergic diseases and can sometimes result in death. Among the public, all kinds of drug-related side effects are thought to be drug allergies, but real drug allergies constitute only 5-10 percent of these reactions. Although allergic reactions are most common to antibiotics and painkillers, all drugs, including herbal medicines, are allergic. It may cause reactions.
Drug allergies are more common in the young-middle age group and women. There is a familial predisposition for some drug allergies. Just because a person has an allergic background does not mean that he or she is prone to drug allergy. However, when allergic reactions occur in these people, they are more severe.
Normally, there is a sensitization period in allergic diseases. This period is generally longer than 1 week. In other words, in order for a person to actually develop a drug allergy, this person must have encountered this drug before. We may not always be able to remember the medications we have used in the past, or we may have used different medications with a similar chemical structure.
We may be sensitive to medications without knowing it through different means, such as food (antibiotics administered to animals). A person may experience a severe allergic reaction to a drug that they have used for years without any problems. There are no reliable skin or blood tests to show allergy to most medications. One reason for this is that drugs transform into very different structures in the human body after they are taken. In other words, the drugs do not remain as they were in the box.
The issue that surprises us allergists the most is that many patients do not know the names of allergy-causing drugs even after very severe allergic reactions. Most people think that a simple skin test will determine which drug they are allergic to.
Aren't we right to tease these patients by saying that you were hit by a truck, you didn't get the license plate, and now you want me to find the truck? We often see that some patients think that they are allergic to all drugs because they use the same drug from different companies or drugs with a similar chemical structure many times and experience a reaction each time. Again, some of his patients have an intense fear of drug allergy and many We see that after using the drug, complaints that mimic allergies occur (difficulty in breathing, feeling of stinging in the throat, widespread body itching, etc.).
It is common for these patients to have similar complaints after being given drug-free products called placebo. Intolerance to multiple drugs is a condition that mimics allergies, and as with all allergic diseases, it is more common in women (are women more sensitive or complain more?)
Multiple drug allergy is a rare condition. . Diagnosis of drug allergy can be complicated, especially in elderly patients who use many medications.
As a result, it is most important for patients to be aware of drug allergies and to be able to describe allergic reactions and the drugs that cause the reaction to their doctor. It should not be forgotten that drug allergies, although rare, can have fatal consequences, and that reactions to drugs used by injection can be very severe.
Especially severe reactions are independent of the dose of the drug. If a condition such as widespread body redness, shortness of breath, palpitations, or darkening occurs shortly after using any medication, do not use it a second time without consulting your doctor.
Otherwise, you may not be lucky enough to get the license plate of the vehicle that hit you. In allergy clinics, alternative safe medications can be given to patients starting from very low doses. This procedure should only be performed in well-equipped hospitals. I hope to see you on a different topic in the next issue and wish you healthy, allergy-free days.
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