Drug allergy is a fairly common phenomenon in modern medical practice. This is caused by a significant expansion of the spectrum of drugs that are allergens for the human body. In addition, the risk of this phenomenon is significantly increased by the unfavorable environmental situation. It is because of this that the number of allergic diseases has significantly increased, which are provoked not only by the direct effect of their active substances, but also by the presence of a special predisposition to allergic phenomena and the specifics of the interaction of the drug with the human body.
The severity and rate of development of an allergic reaction depends on the method of administration of the drug. It is the local use of medicines that has the highest degree of sensitization. With intramuscular administration of drugs, sensitization is significantly lower than with application. And the oral method of using medications is considered the safest.
Causes of drug allergy
An allergic reaction to the use of a certain drug may be caused by the individual peculiarity of a particular person, the method of administration of the drug allergen and its nature, the presence of general somatic diseases, etc.
In some cases, the cause of allergies may be the simultaneous use of several groups of medications.
Symptoms of drug allergy
This condition can manifest itself as an immediate type of reaction, such as Quincke’s edema or anaphylactic shock, or as a delayed type of reaction, such as localized lesions of the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory and digestive organs.
Allergic medicinal lesions of the oral mucosa occur most often, since it is the oral mucosa that first comes into contact with the medicinal allergen. With this lesion, there is swelling of the mucous membrane, medicinal glossitis and such a phenomenon as a varnished tongue.
Drug allergy can also manifest on the lips, which is expressed by the appearance of puffiness, erythema and peeling.
Diagnosis of drug allergy
The difficulty of diagnosing this disease is that it does not have pronounced clinical symptoms, so it is necessary to differentiate it from fungal lesions, infectious diseases, hypovitaminosis, etc.
With the help of anamnesis, a connection is established between changes in the state of the oral mucosa and taking a certain drug. Clinical symptoms of drug allergy disappear immediately after discontinuation of the drug.
Treatment of drug allergies
The main measure in the treatment of this phenomenon is to cancel the drug that caused this reaction, or replace it with a similar drug with fewer side effects. In addition, antihistamines are prescribed.
In the presence of hemorrhagic lesions , the appointment of vitamins of group P and C is practiced . For the treatment of the oral mucosa, local treatment is not prescribed, with the exception of painkillers.
With erosive medical stomatitis, the drug that caused this disease is canceled, and antihistamines and corticosteroids are prescribed. Local antiseptic treatment is carried out.
With ulcerative-necrotizing stomatitis or gingivitis, the drug that caused this disease is canceled and antihistamines and corticosteroids are prescribed. Painkillers are prescribed for topical use. Local antiseptic treatment is carried out.
In case of contact allergic stomatitis, the most important point of treatment is the elimination of the allergen.
