From the moment we are born, we are susceptible to developing allergic reactions to everything we use, whether during hygiene, eating, or even when taking medication. After all, an allergy is nothing more than your immune system fighting against something foreign in your body1. The body’s defense system works to fight off diseases and infections that may threaten your body, but it can also react to something that should be beneficial, as is the case with drug allergies.

Drug allergy is one of the most complex allergies to diagnose, as there is no specific test to point out the substance causing the reaction2. The only way to identify the substance is to check which medication was used most recently before the symptoms appeared and inform the doctor. Since allergy is a genetically developed problem, unfortunately it is not possible to suspect it in advance, nor to prevent it from occurring.

Symptoms of drug allergy in children may appear immediately after use, hours later, or even days after, which makes the diagnosis and discovery of the cause of the allergic reaction even more difficult. That’s why it’s best to watch for the first signs and if you notice any spots or redness, seek a doctor immediately who will investigate the cause and request that the medication be discontinued, thus avoiding even greater health risks for the child.

The medications that most often cause drug allergies in children are antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, medications containing diclofenac, anticonvulsants, and dipyrone. It is important to note that any medication, even eye drops considered harmless, can cause drug allergies in children, and if any symptoms appear, its use should be suspended.

Main Symptoms of Allergy and How to Handle Them?

The best way to prevent more serious problems is to always be alert when starting any medication treatment and to pay attention for possible signs of allergy. The main symptoms of drug allergy in children are:

  • Swollen lips
  • Redness on the body
  • Itching on the body and in the eyes
  • Skin rashes
  • Fever

These are considered the common symptoms in cases of drug allergy, but other, more severe, symptoms may occur known as anaphylaxis3, in which the child may experience difficulty breathing, change in skin color turning bluish including the lips, fainting, and mental confusion. In addition to these symptoms, rapid pulse, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and photosensitivity—where lesions with peeling appear on the skin when exposed to sunlight—can also develop.

Upon noticing the first symptoms of a drug allergy, you should seek urgent care or contact your trusted doctor. The first step is to stop using the medication in question and look for an alternative to continue the treatment. Usually, doctors will try to prescribe an alternative with different substances and components from those that caused the allergic reaction, so the interrupted treatment can continue. Thanks to advances in medicine, there is a vast array of medications that can be used as substitutes for treating various diseases.

In treating drug allergies, besides replacing the offending medication, the use of an antihistamine or corticosteroids may be recommended to relieve and control the symptoms and discomfort caused by the allergy. Extra care and attention should be paid when using a medication for the first time, and any unusual symptom or reaction must be closely watched.

See also: How to Boost Immunity in Children

Photo: Panchopolous, Daniel Zanini H.