Nicotinic acid, the effect of which on the body has been studied relatively recently, has several names: vitamin B 3 , PP, niacin. It is used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology. In this material we will talk about the features of this substance, precautions for its use, find out whether nicotinic acid can cause allergies.
Substance features
Once upon a time, nicotinic acid was used as an effective drug to combat pellagra - a serious illness. The disease developed due to an inadequate diet. For centuries, it has been rampant in the countries of Asia, Africa and Europe.
Somewhat later, the beneficial effect of vitamin A was revealed in the pathology of the digestive system, neuritis, and a difficult pregnancy. Vitamin normalizes redox biochemical reactions in organs and tissues. And due to the fact that the basis of the vital activity of any cell is redox reactions, nicotinic acid is necessary for the normal functioning of organs and tissues. It is its deficiency that leads to pellagra - a disease that experts have given the name "three D" - its main manifestations are diarrhea, dementia and dermatitis.
Niacin lowers blood cholesterol, promotes normal tissue growth, activates the blood circulation. In addition, the vitamin relieves psycho-emotional stress, improves memory and attention. This substance is found in food products - in seafood and meat, liver and eggs, potatoes, herbs and cereals.
Despite the many positive properties, doctors today prescribe vitamin B 3 with caution - in some cases, nicotinic acid causes an allergy, which is manifested by numerous symptoms from the skin, respiratory system, mucous membranes. In addition, its use can cause unwanted side effects. Next, we will describe how an allergy to nicotinic acid manifests itself, what should be done to diagnose and treat pathology.
Medical use
Nicotinic acid (Acidi nicotinici) has been widely used in medicine. The active substance of the drug is nicotinic acid, which promotes vasodilation. That is why it is often prescribed as a sedative. Drugs that include niacin are effective in treating the initial stages of schizophrenia and arthritis. Vitamin PP normalizes lipid metabolism in the body.
Use in cosmetology
Nicotinic acid in cosmetology is used not only for medicinal purposes, but also for prevention. Masks containing vitamin B 3 enhance hair and nail growth, stimulating blood circulation. Could there be an allergy to nicotinic acid? Experts answer in the affirmative to this question. Moreover, a similar reaction of the body to vitamin B 3 is not so rare. With a high concentration of this substance, a negative reaction may develop. This is due to the fact that nicotinic acid stimulates the production of histamine, which in significant concentrations is detected in the body with allergies.
Side effects
Taking nicotinic acid, a person can feel tingling sensations in the body, a burning sensation in the skin, and a rush of blood to the head. In addition, blood pressure may decrease, red rashes on the skin of the face, neck and hands may appear. With frequent and prolonged use of the drug, other side effects from the digestive system may occur: diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes the liver is disturbed. All changes and pathological conditions must be reported to the doctor, who will decide on the advisability of further use of this drug.
Precautions for use
Nicotinic acid should not be used without a doctor's prescription. Particular care should be taken when taking the drug inside. It should not be used for:
- gastritis;
- liver diseases;
- hypotension;
- diabetes mellitus;
- taking anticoagulants.
How can a reaction occur?
Symptoms of an allergy to nicotinic acid are not much different from the manifestations of any other hypersensitivity. The intensity of their manifestations largely depends on how the drug was taken - internally or externally.
Dermatological signs
Skin manifestations of an allergy to nicotinic acid proceed by an immediate type of mechanism, with the onset of vivid signs or in a delayed form, when the pathology makes itself felt after 6-48 hours from the time of taking the drug. The most common urticaria, which is characterized by:
- swelling and redness of the skin;
- rash in the form of blisters;
- severe itching;
- a significant increase in body temperature.
Toxicoderma
A special type of negative reaction, characterized by extensive skin damage. Symptoms of an allergy to nicotinic acid include:
- A rash on the skin in the form of nodules, spots, blisters, blisters.
- Irritation, itching, swelling, redness.
- A sharp increase in body temperature to high values.
Unlike urticaria, in which blisters disappear almost without a trace, toxicoderma is accompanied by the formation of ulcers and erosion. This is one of the main signs of pathology. Violations of the integrity of the skin can cause a secondary infection, which penetrates the damaged areas. This leads to suppuration, the appearance of painful sensations, the expansion of the boundaries of the affected area.
Lyell's syndrome, which is characterized by severe intoxication, intense fever (up to 40 ° C), necrotic changes in the mucous membranes and skin, is a form of toxicoderma.
Respiratory disorders
On the part of the respiratory system, an allergy to nicotinic acid manifests itself:
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing;
- dizziness, sweating;
- paroxysmal dry cough;
- a feeling of constriction in the chest.
These symptoms are due to spasm in the bronchial region. Allergies can cause the development of Quincke edema. Pathology affects the larynx, shortness of breath is observed. One of the first signs of edema is the growing hoarseness of the voice. The lumen of the respiratory tract narrows and the body lacks oxygen. This is a very serious pathology, accompanied by swelling of the face, neck, hands can lead to death due to asphyxiation.
Anaphylactic shock
This reaction to vitamin B 3 is rare, but you need to know about it. Shock can develop lightning fast or starts with the so-called precursors:
- headache;
- general weakness;
- chills;
- Quincke's edema;
- urticaria;
- heavy sweating;
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- fever.
Then the patient loses consciousness, and despite the fact that even at the “precursors” stage, a threat to life exists, for example, due to Quincke's edema, at this moment it is maximal. In connection with circulatory disorders, there is practically no time for assistance.
The patient suffers from oxygen starvation (hypoxia), can fall into a coma, and needs urgent anti-shock measures.
Vitamin B3 for hair
If you are allergic to nicotinic acid for the hair, as a rule, symptoms appear only on the skin. With intolerance to vitamin PP, complications can occur. If the scalp turns red after applying the mask, do not sound the alarm - this can only be a manifestation of side effects.
The symptoms of hypersensitivity include:
- skin irritations;
- atopic dermatitis;
- swelling of the skin;
- severe burning sensation;
- hyperemia.
How to diagnose pathology?
It is necessary to consult a doctor to identify the cause of an allergy to nicotinic acid. How to check that this substance causes a negative reaction? To identify allergens, doctors use two main methods: the detection of antibodies in the blood and skin tests.
The first analysis is more accurate, because, in addition to determining the allergen, you can establish the stage of the disease, its type and complexity of the pathology.
Manifestation of symptoms of an allergy to nicotinic acid: what to do?
Treatment of this pathology is carried out by a doctor, depending on the severity and form of its manifestations. Not always therapy includes a course of medications. On the contrary, doctors are trying to reduce their use to a minimum in order to reduce the risk of developing cross-allergies to drugs other than niacin.
First aid
What to do with an allergy to nicotinic acid at home? First of all, with the signs that have manifested, it is necessary to stop taking the drug and consult a doctor. After examining and conducting the necessary studies, he will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
In case of aggravated symptoms (Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock), an ambulance should be urgently called.
Disclaimer
The most effective way to treat pathology is the principle of elimination, that is, the termination of contact with the substance. It should be remembered that niacin is part of many multivitamin complexes; the drug is used for cosmetic procedures. It is important to study in advance the compositions of any drugs and even dietary supplements, not to purchase skin and hair care products that have nicotinic acid in their composition.
Diet
With any type of drug intolerance, food plays an important role in stabilizing the condition. A patient who is hypersensitive to niacin reacts sharply to food that is allergenic. From the diet should be excluded:
- citrus;
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- nuts
- seafood;
- alcohol;
- chocolate;
- honey;
- coffee.
In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the diet is balanced. The patient should not experience a lack of elements that are necessary for the normal functioning of all organs and systems.
Antiallergic drugs
Medications of this group are prescribed in the presence of vivid symptoms of sensitivity. It must be understood that even antihistamines are sometimes provocative of the reaction. Therefore, it is necessary to use them only as prescribed by the doctor and under his strict supervision. Do not exceed dosage and frequency of administration. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following antihistamines:
- "Erius."
- "Cetirizine."
- Zirtek.
- "Loratadine" and others.
For emergency care, "Dexamethasone", "Prednisolone", "Adrenaline" in the form of injections are used, inhalation of "Salbutamol" is prescribed for Quincke's edema, generalized urticaria, bronchospasm, anaphylactic shock.
Sorbents
To quickly remove allergens from the body, it is recommended to take sorbents. They, in addition to their main function, normalize the digestive tract, relieving symptoms of intoxication. The most effective drugs in this group are:
- Smecta.
- White coal.
- Enterosgel.
Activated black coal is allowed. It costs less, but the effect appears a little later.
Preventive measures
Doctors believe that it is easier to prevent the development of an allergy to nicotinic acid than to treat it. To do this, you must follow the simple rules:
- Reduce the use of allergenic products in the diet when treating with drugs containing nicotinic acid in their composition.
- Only after prescribing by the attending physician and receiving his recommendations on the use of drugs is it possible to use them.
- Strengthen the immune system, treat infectious and inflammatory diseases so that they do not become chronic.
- Before applying Vitamin A to your hair for the first time, do a skin test. This will help prevent a negative backlash.