Lidocaine is an anesthetic that is widely used in medicine. In various operations or procedures, doctors use this particular drug. Lidocaine is especially popular in dentistry and surgery. Some patients develop an allergic reaction because of it. In most cases, it is expressed in a weak form, that is, dermatitis or urticaria appears. However, there are times when an allergy to lidocaine can lead to he alth problems, especially if the patient has a sensitive body.
Causes of the disease
What causes allergies? Consider a few reasons:
- Complex chemical composition. This is probably the main source of the disease. Some people are allergic to the additives and preservatives contained in the ampoules.
- Existing diseases, especially related to the cardiovascular system.
- Low immunity.
- Heredity or individual qualities of the patient.
How to check?
Many people wonder: how to check if there is an allergy to lidocaine? It is very importantbe aware as most dentists use this drug. If a person does not know about the presence of an ailment, but suspects such a possibility, it is necessary to report their concerns. The doctor will simply replace this medication with another one.
How to test for lidocaine allergy? You just need to enter a subcutaneous injection, which contains 0.1 ml of the drug. After waiting 10 minutes, you need to look at the manifestation of the reaction. If no swelling or redness has appeared during this time, then the disease is absent, and lidocaine can be applied to the patient.
Symptoms
Allergy to lidocaine, like other types of such reactions, has its own signs. Depending on the severity of the disease, the symptoms may vary. For many, they are limited to reddening of the skin or its irritation in the area where the drug was injected. However, in some cases, more serious symptoms are observed. The main symptoms of an allergy to lidocaine:
- Rash, itching and redness of the skin.
- Edema. This symptom is one of the main ones, with a weak form, the injection site swells up a little. And with a severe degree of illness, the face, hands, and neck swell.
- Lachrymation, itching, redness of the eye area.
- Rhinitis. With allergies, the nose is often blocked, the patient constantly sneezes.
- Severe cough, sometimes interferes with breathing, not enough air.
- As the allergy intensifies, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting appear.
- In the acute form, anaphylactic shock is possible. Doctors say life-threatening allergy tolidocaine presents only in case of overdose.
The difference between an allergy and a side effect
The fact is that many patients, trying to understand the causes of the disease, do not fully understand what kind of problem they have. About how the allergy to lidocaine manifests itself, it was described above. Now you need to find out what signs appear with intolerance to the drug. Among them are:
- dizziness;
- palpitations;
- nausea;
- drowsy;
- lower pressure.
If the patient shows these symptoms, in principle, there is nothing to worry about. The appearance of itching, irritation and redness directly indicate the presence of an allergy. Side effects often occur when mixing lidocaine and epinephrine. In this case, there is a headache and arrhythmia.
Manifestation of drug reaction
As already noted, it is important to separate the symptoms of side effects and allergies directly. One of the main signs of intolerance is a violation of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as other internal organs. How does lidocaine allergy manifest and side effects?
The first is characterized by the appearance of dermatitis or urticaria, problems with the conjunctiva. There is tearing, swelling of the larynx and face, inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Sometimes, in the most severe cases, anaphylactic shock can occur.
Side effects presentedincreased drowsiness, visual impairment, complete apathy. In adults, arrhythmia and jumps in blood pressure are observed.
Allergies in children
Most kids have been to the dentist at least once. As you know, doctors use lidocaine as an anesthetic. The body of children reacts to this drug in different ways. Situations are common when, after the first injection, acute negative reactions are not detected, and upon repeated use, a severe form immediately sets in.
Allergy to lidocaine in a child is expressed by the same symptoms as in adults. Sometimes it appears very quickly after the application of the drug, such as the application of dental gel.
How do I know if my baby is allergic to lidocaine? Before starting a medical procedure, a specialist must conduct a tolerance test for this medication. To do this, the child is given the minimum dose of the drug, then after 15 minutes the reaction is checked. If symptoms appear, it is necessary to replace the medicine with another anesthetic.
Medicines containing lidocaine
The main element of this drug is its analgesic component. It is actively used in many medicines aimed at reducing sensitivity. Especially widespread is lidocaine in drugs that eliminate toothache, as well as inflammation in the mouth.
Many people do not read the instructions when buying medicines in a pharmacy. Lidocaine is found in many drugs, and inattention during the acquisitionit could end up being pretty serious. There is a misconception that this medication is an injection solution, and nothing more. In fact, it can be presented as an anesthetic component. Here are a few drugs that contain lidocaine:
- "Xicain".
- "Instillagel".
- "Anauran".
- "Lidocard".
- "Dentinox".
It should be noted that this is not a complete list of medicines. In total, there are about 50 such drugs, the above are considered the best-selling of them. The main thing is to carefully read the instructions and the composition of the drug when buying at a pharmacy.
What can replace lidocaine?
Currently, many medical procedures cannot be performed without the use of a local anesthetic. The best of them and the most popular is lidocaine. But what about people who are allergic to this drug? The answer is simple: you need to replace it with another anesthetic.
This issue must be taken seriously and the most suitable medicine that will not cause side effects should be chosen. Usually they opt for those medicines that have an anesthetic component in their composition, but at the same time differ in structure from the irritant.
If a patient is allergic to lidocaine, novocaine will be an excellent choice for replacement. It is suitable in all respects, however, a sample is also required before use. In the case of allergic reactions to several anesthetics, a common one is usually used.anesthesia.
Diagnosis
How to test for lidocaine allergy? Most often, adults and children are given a subcutaneous injection, then a reaction is expected for some time. After that, the attitude of the patient's body to the drug is determined by external factors. In some cases, it is possible to determine allergies without using this method.
Every person has a medical history, where all his illnesses, severity, period of treatment, unwanted medications, etc. are clearly described. Simply put, a patient's medical record allows the doctor to see a complete picture of his he alth. If this information contains a mention of this allergy, you must stop using it once and for all.
When administering an injection, the patient should be warned about possible unpleasant consequences. Children over the age of 5 can be tested for lidocaine allergy through a blood test.
Treatment of disease
The main point of therapy is the refusal to use this drug. Oddly enough, it is necessary to stop using lidocaine in all its manifestations. The ban applies not only to injection solutions, but also to any other medicines containing its components.
To remove unwanted substances from the body, you need to follow the drinking regimen. Water is best consumed as often as possible. In addition, the diet should be limited to foods that can act as possible allergens. If the disease has become severe, then the doctorwill write out funds aimed at increasing urine output and reducing swelling. Sometimes it is recommended to take antihistamines with adrenaline. In any case, you must act on the advice of a specialist. Here are some of them:
- If the manifestation of allergy is characterized by skin rashes, the patient is advised to take a cold shower. This is done in order to reduce the severity of the symptoms of the disease. In addition to showering, you can also apply a cold bandage to the rash.
- If your allergy is making it difficult to breathe or has other associated symptoms, consider taking a bronchodilator.
- If you suddenly feel dizzy, you need to lie on your back (if possible) and make sure that your legs are higher than the body. You should stay in this position for some time until the blood circulation normalizes and the patient begins to feel better.
- If you suffer from nausea or vomiting, then you need to cleanse the body. This will require gastric lavage.
How to stay he althy
Most people don't take lidocaine allergies seriously until they experience it themselves. Patients often do not know their body and are unaware of the presence of high sensitivity to drugs. It is only when visiting the dentist before an emergency operation or procedure that a person is found to be allergic to lidocaine. Each doctor before starting the action should ask if there is an intolerance to anesthesia. If the answer is uncertain, it is necessary to conduct a test.
How to know if you are allergic to lidocaine orNo? This test will help you solve the problem. You just need to inject the minimum dose under the skin, wait a few minutes and determine by external signs.
However, unfortunately, not all dentists are conscientious and check the reaction to the drug. Sometimes surgery is started without a sensitivity test. Then there are situations that are life-threatening for the patient. Taking a simple test solves most difficult situations and predicts possible difficulties.
The patient should also demand a sensitivity test. As already noted, not all doctors are interested in this factor, and in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, the patient can take the initiative. If a patient is allergic to dust or other drugs, an anesthetic tolerance test is a must. Moreover, it is important to understand to what type of painkiller hypersensitivity is expressed.
Allergy to lidocaine is a fairly common ailment. Each patient must have a list of drugs that contain this drug or its components.
