Sulfa allergy is the body’s adverse reaction to sulfonamides group of drugs. It is estimated that approximately 3 out of 100 people have allergic reaction to sulfa antibiotics. The term “sulfa allergies” applies only to sulfonamides groups of drug that include those with and without antibiotic characteristics. In this article we discuss diagnosis and treatment of sulfa allergies with a brief note on the symptoms of sulfa allergies.
Symptoms:
Sulfa allergy is first seen on the skin. It includes rashes, hives and photosensitivity. In severe cases there can be Stevens Johnson syndrome which is a life threatening condition. Kidneys, liver and blood are affected by the allergy and they show several symptoms of damage and impairment.
Diagnosis of Sulpa Allergy
In diagnosis, the symptoms are observed, especially the skin. There is no particular skin test or blood test which can be taken as the standard diagnosis procedure for sulfa allergy. As symptoms differ from person to person, diagnosis is individualized. The symptoms are analyzed and studied when the person is taking a sulfonamide medication. It is also done when the medication is stopped.
Treatment of Sulpha Allergy:
Treatment depends on the cause of reaction. For mild symptoms the individual is asked to stop the medication. Usually this is all that is done to resolve the problem.
If the reaction is severe then it requires immediate medical attention. Epinephrine injections are used in the treatment. Life threatening conditions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrosis need allergists or specialists for treating them.
In some cases the person who is allergic to sulfa medication has no choice but to use the medication despite of the allergic reaction. The person needs to be desensitized to the medication.
Desensitization is achieved by giving very small amounts of drug, orally or intravenously, with increasing doses over hours or days. This gradual building up of the dose increases the tolerance of the body. Desensitization is done in a hospital under the supervision of an allergist.
