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A drug allergy occurs when you have an adverse reaction to a medication you are taking. Some drug allergies will go away with time, but some people may experience severe allergic reactions. So how long does it take for drug allergy to go away?
1. What is a drug allergy?
A drug allergy is an abnormal response of the body's immune system to a certain drug. As with other allergic reactions, these symptoms can occur when your body's immune system becomes sensitive to a substance in the drug, treating it as a foreign invader and secreting chemicals. substance to combat it. People with drug allergies may experience symptoms regardless of whether their medication is in liquid, pill, or injectable form.
2. Symptoms of drug allergy
Symptoms of drug allergy can range from mild to very severe. Most of the time they appear within 1 to 72 hours. These include:
Rash or blisters. These are the most common symptoms of a drug allergy. Cough, wheezing, runny nose and difficulty breathing. A fever. A serious skin condition that causes your skin to blister and peel. These include toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Anaphylaxis is a dangerous, potentially fatal condition and you will need emergency treatment. Symptoms include a rash all over the body, trouble breathing, swelling of the throat or mouth, or feeling very lightheaded. They usually appear within 1 hour after you take the medicine. Without emergency care, you could die.
3. What drugs often cause allergic reactions?
Any drug has the potential to cause drug allergy. However, drug allergies are more likely to occur with certain medications, the most common being: Penicillin (such as ampicillin or amoxicillin), Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Sulfate drugs, Vaccines, Anticonvulsants, Drugs for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
If you are allergic to a drug, you may be allergic to other drugs like that. For example, if you are allergic to penicillin, it is likely that you are also allergic to similar drugs, such as amoxicillin.
Most drug allergies are mild and symptoms will go away within a few days after you stop using the medicine. But some drug allergies can be very serious and require medical treatment.
4. Drug allergy what to do?
Your doctor will diagnose a drug allergy by asking you questions about the medications you take and about any medications you've taken in the recent past. Your doctor will also ask about your previous health and symptoms. If this doesn't tell your doctor if you have a drug allergy, he or she may do a skin test. Or they may ask you to take a small amount of the medicine to see if you have a reaction.
The best thing you can do when you have a drug allergy is to stop taking the drug that caused the allergic condition. Talk to your doctor to see if you can take another medicine. If you can't change your medication, your doctor may try a method called desensitization. This means that you will start taking a small amount of the medicine that caused your reaction. Under your doctor's supervision, you will slowly increase the amount of medication you take. This allows the body's immune system to get used to the drug. After that, you may not have an allergic reaction anymore.
Call 911 immediately if you develop hives, itching, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting after taking the medicine.
If you have a mild allergic reaction, an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine may help improve your symptoms. Mild symptoms include sneezing, itching, or a runny nose; mouth itching; mild rash or itching, mild nausea or upset stomach. You may need a prescription if antihistamines don't work or if you have problems with side effects, such as drowsiness. However, not all antihistamines cause drowsiness.
5. How to prevent drug allergy at home?
To take care of yourself at home, you need to:
Know what medications you are allergic to and avoid taking them. Keep a list of all the medicines you are taking. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any new medicines you are prescribed. Make sure they are not similar to those that could cause an allergic reaction. Do not use someone else's medicine or let someone else share your medicine. If you have a mild allergic reaction, take steps to relieve symptoms such as itching. Take a cool shower or apply a cool compress. Wear light clothing that won't irritate your skin. Stay away from harsh soaps and detergents, which can make itching worse.
To ensure safety, it is best to go to a medical facility when you are allergic to a drug to be checked by a doctor and have appropriate treatment.
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