Drug Reactions

A medication allergy is a condition that causes a person to experience some type of adverse reaction initiated within the immune system after taking a particular medicine. Medication allergies are fairly common and they can be elicited by many kinds of drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter. The patient may experience a wide range of symptoms that can be mild,moderate or even potentially deadly.
The symptoms produced by a reaction to a medication allergy can vary widely in both their nature and their severity. Some of the common symptoms a patient may experience include a rash on the skin, itchiness of the skin or eyes and the development of hives. In other cases, the patient may begin wheezing or portions of the face or tongue may become swollen.
The most severe type of reaction is known as anaphylaxis, which can be very dangerous and requires prompt medical attention.

 

An anaphylactic allergic reaction causes extreme symptoms that may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Hives that spread across the body
• Dizziness or fainting
• Breathing difficulties
• Abdominal pain
• Rapid pulse and heartbeat

The treatment of a medication allergy typically begins with discontinuing the usage of the drug that caused the reaction. After that point if symptoms are still present, the patient may need to take a different type of medication to obtain relief from the allergy symptoms. Antihistamines are often effective for reducing itchiness, hives and rashes. More pronounced reactions often respond to corticosteroid treatment that can be applied topically, taken orally or provided intravenously. If wheezing is occurring, a bronchodilator medication may be used to open the airways and make breathing more comfortable.

In the case of an anaphylactic reaction to a medication, an injection of epinephrine will need to be administered as quickly as possible to ;stop the symptoms from worsening. At that point the patient will be monitored and some combination of the above-mentioned treatments will be used in order to alleviate the symptoms.

Dry skin, also known as xeroderma, is a common skin condition that can be uncomfortable and unattractive. Individuals troubled by dry skin experience redness and itchiness in the affected area. In most cases, dry skin can be symptomatically controlled with simple treatments.

 

Causes of Dry Skin

Aging, and its resulting changes in hormone levels, is a common cause of dry skin. In addition, certain diseases or environmental factors may cause the skin to become excessively dry.

 

Disease Conditions That Cause Dry Skin

Skin dryness may be caused by several skin disorders, including contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema, psoriasis, and ichthyosis, a genetic disorder causing a dry scaly appearance to the skin. There may be difficulty at first in distinguishing early symptoms of these conditions from more ordinary dry skin.

Eczema can usually be diagnosed because of the locations of the affected areas which are usually on the face, sides of the neck, and the backs of the elbow and knees. Psoriasis and ichthyosis, on the other hand, present as accumulations of rough scaly skin cells on many areas of the body. All three skin disorders result in more severe symptoms than simple dry skin and often cause psychological problems, due to altered appearance, as well as medical ones.

Other diseases, such as certain endocrine or autoimmune disorders may also result in dry skin. These include hypothroidism, diabetes and Sjogren's disease. Certain medications may also cause dry skin.

 

Schedule Your Appointment

If you would like to discuss treatment for Drug Reactions in Brooklyn, call Kleydman Dermatology today to schedule a consultation with our board-certified dermatologist.