Among the many varieties of negative reactions to medicines, an allergy to aspirin deserves special attention. The exact causes of this pathology have not yet been clarified. With the help of this drug, it is easy to get rid of pain, it relieves fever and inflammation. However, this well-known medicine is not as safe as many people think: quite often patients have hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, taking the drug leads to the development of an allergic reaction, sometimes in a severe form.
What is aspirin?
In accordance with the pharmacological classification, aspirin is included in the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This gives it a wide spectrum of action - from pain relief to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Aspirin: Composition of Tablets
The main active ingredient of the drug is acetylsalicylic acid, which determines the pharmacological effect of this agent. In addition, the composition of Aspirin includes substances that give the tablet its appearance and shape: cellulose and starch. They do not affect the effect of the drug.
Aspirin Cardio contains an enteric coating that prevents the tablet from dissolving in the stomach, which reduces the likelihood of ulceration. Substances that give the drug special properties - sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are part of the effervescent form of aspirin.
Reasons for the reaction
Some patients ask the rhetorical question, “Where does an allergy to aspirin come from?” The nature of this reaction has not yet been accurately identified. It is assumed that the appearance of intolerance is not associated with an independent reaction, but with other chronic allergic diseases. Studies confirm that more often it occurs in women.
With a predisposition to allergies, acetylsalicylic acid entering the body causes the appearance of antibodies that combine with antigens and the process develops. Mast cells that contain biologically active allergy substances are activated. Hypersensitivity develops, with repeated contact it causes the appearance of symptoms.
Risk factors
This is a widely used drug worldwide - aspirin. An allergy to a drug in an adult occurs in 0.04% of the world's population. The symptoms of this type of allergy are most often manifested in people who suffer from the following diseases:
- chronic urticaria;
- bronchial asthma;
- polyposis of the nasal cavity;
- arthritis;
- allergic rhinitis;
- dermatitis;
- blood diseases.
Symptoms of the disease
Manifestations of an allergy to aspirin most often affect the respiratory system. They appear to varying degrees, depending on the amount of the drug and the strength of the allergen.
Mild to moderate symptoms
The first signs of an allergy are manifested in respiratory disorders:
- nasal congestion;
- the formation of polyps that make breathing difficult;
- the appearance of liquid secretion;
- violation of smell.
Additional symptoms may include dizziness, headache, decreased performance, and weakness. The mild and middle group of symptoms include: a rash in the form of urticaria, nausea, vomiting, heartburn.
In the middle stage of an allergy to aspirin, dry cough and shortness of breath are added to these symptoms. Purulent inflammation develops in the sinuses of the nose. Breathing becomes whistling.
Signs of severe complications
If you do not pay attention to the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, then they begin to resemble attacks of bronchial asthma. This is the most common type of allergy to aspirin. The most serious condition is anaphylactic shock, which is characterized by a rapid onset and a rapid increase in symptoms. After taking the drug, a person experiences weakness, malaise, dizziness. Then breathing is disturbed and he loses consciousness.
The main sign of deterioration is a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
Side effects
An adverse reaction to the drug increases with a violation of the dosage and dosage regimen. This primarily relates to the digestive tract: nausea; stomachache; GI bleeding.
Diagnosis of the disease
After the first symptoms of an allergy to aspirin are discovered, it is required to establish which allergens caused it. An allergist prescribes a provocative test - a metered dose of aspirin, which, with allergies, exhibits characteristic symptoms.
In addition, a skin test is prescribed. For this, patients are given a placebo for two days, and aspirin on the third. After that, physicians examine the patient every two hours, recording the absence or appearance of local and general symptoms.
Often in the diagnosis of intolerance, an analysis is prescribed to determine the immunoglobulins E. Its result will be uninformative when responding to aspirin.
Treatment
When the cause of the disease is established, the first method that helps to cope with any intolerance is the elimination of the allergen. It is necessary to exclude preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid and replace them with other medicines that the doctor will prescribe.
Desensitization therapy
When replacement of “Aspirin” is not possible (after a myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke), doctors use the method of desensitization - a gradual decrease in sensitivity to aspirin. For this, the minimum dose of this drug is prescribed and gradually increase it. After a short time, sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid disappears. To speed up this process, antihistamines are prescribed.
First aid at home
To alleviate the condition of the patient caused by the intake of acetylsalicylic acid, the following rules must be observed:
- When allergy symptoms appear, take a cool shower.
- Take the adsorbent - “Smecta”, “Enterosgel”, “Filtrum”, activated carbon.
- Wear cotton clothing.
- Antihistamines or anti-inflammatory creams - “Bepanten”, “Skin-Cap”, “Protopic” will help remove itchy skin.
- Only after that you can take antihistamines - Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, Zirtek.
- When breathing is complicated, inhalations are given (“Teofedrine”, “Salbutamol”) or taken orally “Eufillin” or “Broncholitin”.
- To relieve dizziness, you should apply the following technique: lying on a firm, level surface, raise your legs above your head to ensure blood flow. This will saturate the brain cells with oxygen.
- A hypoallergenic diet is followed for at least 4 days.
Severe relief
If, after the appearance of an allergy symptom, a person’s condition deteriorates sharply, then emergency assistance is required. To do this, antihistamines are administered intravenously and hormones are prescribed in a high dosage.
How to replace "Aspirin"?
If you are allergic to aspirin, how can I replace this drug? You can use drugs from two different groups: anticoagulants and antithrombotic. If there is a threat of clot formation, then drugs based on another active substance are used - Clopidogrel, Curantil. Blood is diluted with Heparin, Warfarin.
Cheap allergy pills
It's no secret that the new generation IV antihistamines are very effective, but are quite expensive. Many allergy sufferers are interested in whether there are cheap allergy pills? Yes, there are such drugs. These include:
- “Loratadine” - 10 tablets 40 rubles.
- Aleron - 10 pieces 78 rubles.
- Diazolin - 10 pieces 80 rubles.
- "Claridol" - 7 pieces of 95 rubles.
Contraindications to the drug
For the appointment of aspirin, contraindications are:
- Gastrointestinal ulcers.
- Asthma.
- Diathesis.
- Low platelet count.
- Hemophilia.
- Renal and liver failure.
- Breast-feeding.
- Age to three years.
Prevention Tips
To avoid the manifestation of severe symptoms of an allergy to aspirin, exclude the drug from your medicine cabinet and replace it with a similar remedy with another active substance. He is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account all contraindications.