During antibiotic therapy, quite often in adult patients and in children, acute reactions to drugs of various groups are observed. They can be caused both by drugs that the patient has already encountered before, as well as broad-spectrum antibiotics of the new generation. The list of such drugs is quite large, we will talk more about them in this article.
A rash on the skin, swelling, hyperemia, red spots are characteristic signs of allergies that occur in patients of any age. It is very important for parents to know its symptoms, what to do in case of an acute reaction to the drug, which should be considered when treating a child with antibiotics.
Causes of occurrence
In recent studies, it was found that more than a third of the body's negative immune responses to medications are manifested by antibiotics. Allergies can cause both traditional, well-known drugs, and new generation drugs. Significantly increases the risk of negative symptoms when using drugs that the patient uses for the first time.
Any allergy to antibiotics in children develops as an immune system response: the baby’s body perceives certain components of the drug as an antigen that it needs to fight with. The active substances that make up antibiotics can cause an acute allergy, a reaction with an increase in capillary permeability, histamine release, swelling of the skin, and skin rashes.
Doctors say that to date, the causes of allergies in a child after a course of antibiotics are not exactly established. The most likely factors provoking the development of the disease, they include:
- genetic predisposition;
- a long course of taking the drug;
- heredity;
- reduced immunity;
- dysbiosis, helminthic infestations, pathologies of the kidneys and liver in a severe form;
- overdose or unauthorized change in the duration of treatment of the child with potent antibiotics.
It has been established that if parents have an allergy to flowers, for example, in 50% of cases, the child will develop a negative immune response to another stimulus, which can be a used drug with an antibiotic in the composition.
What antibiotics cause allergies?
Most often, an allergic reaction to medications in a child occurs when taking the following drugs:
- tetracycline and penicillin series;
- derivatives of ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol;
- sulfanilamide derivatives;
- drugs with nitrofurantoins.
Antibiotics for children
Today, several pharmacological forms of broad-spectrum antibiotics for children are presented in pharmacies:
- powders for suspensions;
- drops;
- tablets;
- powder for intravenous and intramuscular injection.
In the form of suppositories or syrup, antibiotics are not released. Babies are usually prescribed a liquid antibiotic in the form of a suspension. Such a medicine is easier for children to take, it is absorbed faster by the body of the kids.
The list of broad-spectrum antibiotics of the new generation for children can be represented as follows:
- Amoxicillin. A drug from the penicillin group, which is prescribed for children with pneumonia, pharyngitis, acute colds, dysentery, salmonellosis, lesions of the skin and tissues with infectious inflammation. Assigned to babies over two years old. The dosage is set by the doctor depending on the age and weight of the child. The drug is released in the form of a powder, which is diluted with boiled water until a suspension is formed.
- "Augmentin" - a drug that has the same properties as the above drug. The only difference is clavulanic acid, which prevents the development of destructive enzymes produced by pathogenic dies aimed at destroying antibiotic components. For children, the product is made in powder. It is diluted according to the instructions with boiled water and shaken until a suspension is obtained. In the form of tablets, the drug is intended for adults. It is approved for use even by newborns, but at a dosage determined by the pediatrician, and only for health reasons.
- Suprax is an antibiotic belonging to the new generation of cephalosporins. Suitable for the treatment of respiratory tract. Appointed to babies from six months of age. This antibiotic is not active in diseases caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus. It is produced in granules from which a suspension is prepared.
- Sumamed is a new generation macrolide. It is used for bronchitis, tonsillitis, infectious dermatoses, scarlet fever, sinusitis, tonsillitis. The drug has a high immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and mucoregulatory effect.
- "Flemoxin Solutab" is a penicillin drug. It is popular among pediatricians. This drug is prescribed even for newborns with respiratory infections, diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as intestinal infections. The doctor calculates the dosage and dosage regimen according to the weight of the child.
Diagnostics
It is impossible to establish independently the type or type of allergic reaction to antibiotics in a child. The course of treatment with these drugs has a serious burden on a small organism, therefore, at the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to undergo an examination, which includes:
- urine and blood tests;
- feces (helminth infection);
- biopsy of the skin;
- test for the amount of immunoglobulin E.
After examining the results of the tests, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment. If an allergy in a child after a course of antibiotics manifests itself in an acute form, an urgent consultation with your doctor is necessary. The manifestation of the disease in children can be with characteristic symptoms and without them.
Local symptoms
Fortunately, local symptoms in most cases do not pose a threat to the baby's life. Manifestations of local symptoms can be divided into several categories:
- Urticaria is a characteristic manifestation of an allergy to antibiotics in a child. A rash on the skin, which is accompanied by severe itching, in 10% of cases merges into large spots, sometimes covering the entire body of the baby.
- Reaction to daylight. This condition is called photosensitization. Most often occurs after taking medications of the penicillin group.
- Special forms of rash. Such a rash, which doctors call vesicles, that contain a clear liquid.
Any manifestations of local symptoms are a signal to parents to seek medical help.
Common symptoms
The general symptoms of allergies in a child after taking antibiotics are manifested in 20% of recorded cases among small patients. It has complex manifestations and a very strong load on the body. Its main feature is a threat to the life of the baby.
Epidermal necrolysis
A rather large bubble rash appears on the skin, and the bubbles periodically burst. An open wound forms in this place, into which a secondary infection penetrates.
Drug fever
The body temperature of the child rises to + 39-40 degrees. Urgent cancellation of the drug used and a visit to a doctor are necessary.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Extensive rashes on the skin, accompanied by an inflammatory process on the mucous membranes, on which a small rash may also appear. Body temperature can rise up to 40 degrees.
Quincke's edema
The most severe allergic reaction to drugs, which is manifested by severe swelling of the mucous membranes of the throat. Additionally, reddening of the skin and itching are noted. Diagnosis and treatment should be done immediately, since delay in this case can lead to suffocation.
Serum-like symptom
It appears at the end of the course of treatment or after discontinuation of the drug. In children, it occurs in 55% of cases. The skin is covered with a rash of different sizes, lymph nodes increase, the temperature rises to 39 degrees.
Anaphylactic shock
It presents a special danger to the health and life of the child. This is an instant allergic reaction to the drug used or its component. Signs of this pathology are:
- drop in blood pressure;
- rashes on the skin, accompanied by severe itching;
- labored breathing;
- laryngeal edema.
Professional medical care for the child should be provided in a very short time, as his life depends on it.
Treatment
If you are allergic to antibiotics in children, the pediatrician prescribes treatment with individually selected drugs. He sets the dosage, paints a medication schedule. Therapy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease and alleviating the general condition of the baby. Antihistamine group preparations are used in the form of drops, tablets, suspensions, syrups, injections:
- "Suprastin";
- "Diazolin";
- "Zodak";
- Fenistil;
- Zirtek;
- Loratadine
- "Dexamethasone."
To relieve external symptoms, ointments, creams, gels are used:
- LaCree
- SkinKap;
- "Fenistil-gel";
- "Vundekhil";
- "Bepanten";
- "Elidel."
In especially severe cases of allergies to antibiotics in children, hormonal agents are used for external use:
- Lokoid
- Advantan
- "Elokom";
- "Prednisolone" and its derivatives.
To remove the metabolites of antibiotics and toxins from the body, enterosorbents are prescribed:
- Polysorb;
- Enterosgel;
- "Filtrumsti";
- "Polyphepan";
- Activated carbon.
An allergy to antibiotics in children often leads to a violation of the intestinal microflora. To restore it appoint:
- Enterogermina;
- Acidofiltrum;
- "Lactofiltrum" and other products with bifido and lactobacilli.
To avoid allergies to antibiotics in children and its consequences, parents should remember a simple rule - you should not self-medicate, medicines for the child, the dosage and duration of treatment should be prescribed by a highly qualified specialist. If there is a history of allergies, a specialist will recommend a visit to an allergocenter and prescribe treatment based on the characteristics of your child.