Allergy to lidocaine: how to test and how it manifests itself

Lidocaine is an anesthetic that is widely used in medicine. At various operations or procedures doctors apply this preparation. 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, there is dermatitis or hives. However, there are cases when an allergy to lidocaine can lead to health problems, especially if the patient has a sensitive body.

Causes of the appearance of the disease

Because of what there is an allergy? Let's consider several reasons:

• Complex chemical composition. This is probably the main source of the disease. In some people, the allergy is manifested due to the additives and preservatives contained in the ampoules.
• Existing diseases, especially those associated with the cardiovascular system.
• Low level of immunity.
• Heredity or individual qualities of the patient.

How to check?

Many people ask themselves: how to check if there is an allergy to lidocaine? It is very important to know, since most dentists use this medication. If a person does not know about the presence of a disease, but suspects this possibility, you need to report your fears. The doctor will simply replace this medication with another one.

How to check for an allergy to lidocaine? You just need to inject a subcutaneous injection that contains 0.1 ml of the drug. After waiting 10 minutes, you need to look at the manifestation of the reaction. If during this time there are no swelling or redness, then the disease is absent, and lidocaine can be applied to the patient.

Symptoms

The allergy to lidocaine, like other types of such reactions, has its own signs. Depending on the degree of severity of the disease symptoms may vary. At many they are limited to reddening of a skin or its or her irritation on that site where the preparation has been entered. However, in some cases, there are more serious symptoms. The main symptoms of allergy to lidocaine:

• Rashes, itching and redness of the skin.
• Edemas. This sign is one of the main, with a weak form, a little swelling of the injection site. And with a severe degree of ail swelling of the face, hands, neck.
• Lachrymation, itching, redness of the eye area.
• Rhinitis. With allergies often pawns the nose, the patient constantly sneezes.
• Strong cough, sometimes interferes with breathing, not enough air.
• As the action of the allergy increases, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting appear.
• In acute form, anaphylactic shock is possible. Doctors say that the danger to life is allergy to lidocaine only in case of an overdose.

The difference between allergy and side effect

The fact is that many patients, trying to understand the causes of the disease, do not fully understand what their problem is. About how the allergy to lidocaine is manifested, was described above. Now it is necessary to find out what signs appear when the drug is intolerant. Among them are:

• dizziness;
• cardiopalmus;
• Nausea;
• drowsiness;
• Decrease in pressure.

If a patient shows such symptoms, in principle, there is nothing to worry about. The appearance of itching, irritation and redness directly indicate the presence of allergies. Side effects often occur when mixing lidocaine and adrenaline. In this case, there is a headache and arrhythmia.

Reaction to the drug

As already noted, it is important to separate the symptoms of side effects and directly allergies. One of the main signs of intolerance is a disruption of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as other internal organs. How does the allergy to lidocaine and side effects manifest itself?

The first is characterized by the appearance of dermatitis or urticaria, problems with conjunctiva. There is tear, edema of the larynx and face, inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Sometimes, in the most severe cases, anaphylactic shock may occur.

Side effects are increased drowsiness, visual impairment, complete apathy. In adults, there is arrhythmia and blood pressure jumps.

Allergies in children

Most children at least once visited the dentist. As you know, doctors use lidocaine as an analgesic. The children's organism reacts to this drug in different ways. There are situations when, after the first administration, acute negative reactions are not detected, and with repeated application, a severe form immediately occurs.

The allergy to lidocaine in a child is expressed by the same symptoms as in adults. Sometimes it appears very quickly after using the drug, for example applying a dental gel.

How do you know if there is an allergy to lidocaine in a baby? Specialist before the start of the medical procedure is required to conduct a test for the tolerability of this medication. To do this, the child is given a minimal 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 medications aimed at reducing sensitivity. Particularly widespread lidocaine in drugs that eliminate toothache, as well as inflammation in the mouth.

Many people, when buying medicines in a pharmacy, do not read the instructions. Lidocaine is found in many drugs, and inattention during the purchase can end quite seriously. There is a misconception that this medication is a solution for injections, and nothing more. In fact, it can be presented as an analgesic component. Let's list several medicines, which include lidocaine:

• "Xichain".
• "Instillagel".
• "Anauran".
• "Lidocart".
• Dentinox.

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of medicines. In total, there are about 50 such medicines, the above mentioned are considered the best-selling ones. The main thing is to carefully read the instructions and the composition of the drug when buying at a pharmacy.

How to replace lidocaine?

Currently, a lot of medical procedures can not be carried out without using a local anesthetic. The best of them and the most popular is lidocaine. But what should people do that have an allergy to this drug? The answer is simple: you need to replace it with another anesthetic.

This question should be taken seriously and choose the most suitable medicine that will not cause side effects. Usually stop the choice of those medications that have an anesthetic component in their composition, but at the same time differ in structure from the stimulus.

If a patient shows an allergy to lidocaine, novocaine will be an excellent choice for replacement. It is suitable for all parameters, however, a test is also necessary before use. In case of allergic reactions to several anesthetics, general anesthesia is usually used.

Diagnostics

How to check for an allergy to lidocaine? Most often, adults and children are injected with subcutaneous injection, then they wait for some time to manifest the reaction. After this, external factors determine the patient's attitude to the drug. In some cases, you can identify allergies without using this method.

Each person has a history of the disease, where all his illnesses, severity, treatment period, unwanted medications, etc. are clearly described. In other words, a patient's medical record allows the doctor to see the full picture of his health. If in this information there is a mention of this allergy, you must abandon the application once and for all.

When injecting, the patient should be warned about possible unpleasant consequences. Children aged 5 years or older can check allergy to lidocaine with a blood test.

Treatment of ailment

The main point of therapy is the refusal to use this drug. Strangely enough, it is necessary to stop using lidocaine in all its manifestations. The prohibition extends not only to solutions for injection, but also any other medicines containing its components.

To remove unwanted substances from the body, you must observe the drinking regime. It is better to consume water as often as possible. In addition, the diet should be limited to products that can act as possible allergens. If the disease has acquired a severe form, the doctor will prescribe funds to increase the excretion of urine and reduce puffiness. Sometimes it is recommended to take antihistamines with epinephrine. In any case, it is necessary to act on the advice of a specialist. Here are some of them:

• If the manifestation of an allergy is characterized by rashes on the skin, the patient is advised to take a cold shower. This is done to reduce the severity of the signs of ailment. In addition to the shower, you can still apply a cold bandage to the place of the rash.
• If due to an allergy it becomes difficult to breathe or other processes associated with this occur, it is recommended to take a bronchodilator.
• If dizziness suddenly started, you should lie on your back (if possible) and make your legs above your body. In this position, you should stay for a while until the blood circulation is normalized, and the patient will feel better.
• If nausea or vomiting is painful, then it is necessary to cleanse the body. This will require washing the stomach.

How to maintain your health

Most people are allergic to lidocaine are not serious until they themselves do not face it. Patients often do not know their body and do not suspect the presence of high sensitivity to drugs. Only when visiting a dentist before an urgent operation or procedure it turns out that a person is allergic to lidocaine. Every doctor before the beginning of the action should ask whether there is an intolerance to anesthesia. If the answer is undefined, a test is required.

How to know if there is an allergy to lidocaine or not? This test will help in solving the problem. You just need to enter a minimal dose under the skin, wait a few minutes and identify the external signs.

However, unfortunately, not all dentists are conscientious and test the response to the drug. Sometimes the operation starts without checking for sensitivity. Then there are situations that are dangerous for the patient's life. Conducting a simple test solves most difficult situations and predetermines possible difficulties.

A patient must also be required to test sensitivity. As already noted, not all doctors are interested in this factor, and to avoid unpleasant consequences the patient can take the initiative. If a patient exhibits an allergy to dust or other drugs, an anesthetic test is simply mandatory. And it is important to understand what kind of anesthetic means expressed sensitivity.

Allergy to lidocaine is a fairly common ailment. Each patient should have a list of drugs that contain this medicine or its components.