Review article

ALLERGOLOGIC EMERGENCIES IN DERMATOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES

JASNA LIPOZENČIĆ ; University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, University of Zagreb , Zagreb, Croatia
BRANKA MARINOVIĆ ; University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
PETRA TURČIĆ ; School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb , Zagreb, Croatia
SANJA GREGURIĆ ; Dr Sanja Gregurić Specialist Dermatovenereologic Clinic, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Emergencies in allergology and clinical immunology are quite common and pose a public health problem in Croatia and worldwide. Allergic reactions ranging from mild symptoms such as pruritus to generalized skin eruptions, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms to anaphylaxis with cardiovascular emergencies are very common. Reaction develops to inhalant substances, food and food ingredients, various foreign substances (blood, latex, etc.) and many other well known antigens and drugs which are frequent causes of anaphylactic reactions, asthma, generalized urticaria, angioedema. There are 35 different skin reactions induced by drugs through immune complexes, complement mediated reactions and direct histamine liberation (by opiates or dextran) and modulators of arachidonic acid metabolism (such as NSAID). Along with painful infiltrates, insect venom allergy manifests with disseminated exanthema and angioedema. Current diagnostic methods, especially therapeutic procedures for emergencies in concordance with the international consensus of the European Allergy White Paper, require the same procedure in clinical practice. Many patients with different allergic skin diseases are treated inappropriately, some are tested in active phase of the disease, during anti-allergic therapy, and some are administered corticosteroids and antihistamines longer than necessary. Sometimes, the treatment of emergencies requires a person experienced in intensive care medicine. However, any physician might be responsible for the treatment of acute symptoms in his office, and thus has to know the modalities and relevant drugs and treatment essentials. Anaphylactic reactions are rare, but every physician should be prepared for the worst. Due knowledge of the correct management should be a must for all of us. The most common emergencies require emergency treatment and diagnostic procedures upon disease regression.

Keywords

anaphylaxis; allergologic emergencies; angioedema; drug reactions

Hrčak ID:

87888

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/87888

Publication date:

1.4.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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