Allergy to dental anesthesia. Allergy to local anesthesia in dentistry How to check for an allergy to anesthesia in a child

Everyone at least once in their life faced with the need for anesthesia. It can be a major operation or a simple dental treatment. Any type of anesthesia is not harmless and carries a potential danger in the form of an allergy.

Allergy to anesthesia is severe, sometimes doctors do not have time to save a person. Therefore, patients should know how to determine if they have intolerance to anesthesia, and how to replace it.

Drug intolerance occurs in 1% of people, among all cases of allergy, it is diagnosed in every tenth patient. A drug allergy is an immune reaction to a specific drug caused by hypersensitivity to it.

The initial intake of the drug starts the process of sensitization, this substance becomes an allergen for a person. When taken again, mast cells are activated, which release histamine into the blood.

This leads to irritation of the nerve endings, spasm of the musculature of the vessels, increased secretion of mucus, and expansion of the capillaries. This causes the appearance of the main symptoms of allergies - itching, rash, swelling, anaphylaxis.

There is also a delayed immune response, when leukocytes rush to the site of inflammation, and the inflamed cells are replaced by connective tissue. These consequences are very serious, as they lead to the development of dangerous pathologies in the form of thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, vasculitis, and serum sickness.

Peculiarity

Anesthesia, or anesthesia, is a special preparation for reducing the sensitivity of the whole body or part of it. The transmission of the nerve impulse is blocked, which allows for surgical manipulations.

In medicine, 2 types of anesthesia are used:

General (anesthesia). The patient completely loses sensitivity and is unconscious. Anesthesia is simple and combined. It is performed by inhalation or by injecting the drug into a vein.
Local - turns off the sensitivity of a certain part of the body or area. The patient is then conscious.

Local anesthesia is divided into:

Spinal. The anesthetic is injected into the subdural space (where capillaries accumulate).
epidural. The drug is injected into the epidural space (where the veins pass). In both cases, the impulse is blocked at the level of the spinal roots. Perform minor operations on the lower body, caesarean section, etc.
Conductor. The impulse is blocked at the level of the nerve endings or the nerve trunk.
Infiltration. They block small nerve receptors and pain receptors. This includes anesthesia in dentistry.
Contact (application). An anesthetic application is applied to the skin or mucous membrane, anesthesia of the surface layers of the skin occurs.

Fluorotan, Methoxyflurane, Hexenal, Ketamine, Etomidat are used as anesthetic drugs for general anesthesia. For local anesthesia, Lidocaine, Novocaine, Benzocaine, Prilocaine are used.

An allergy occurs both to the main active substance, for example, Lidocaine, and to other components. The composition of anesthetics may include adrenaline, stabilizer, preservative, parabens, known for their allergic properties.

Peculiarity! According to statistics, an allergy to general anesthesia occurs in one in 15,000 cases, but is almost always acute and ends in death.

The reasons

The main reason for an allergic reaction to anesthesia is intolerance to the components of the drug. A reaction to general anesthesia can happen to anyone for an unexplained reason.

Among the provoking factors are:

a history of allergies;
pathology of the endocrine system;
bronchial asthma, diabetes;
hereditary predisposition;
constant contact with chemicals.

The likelihood of an allergic reaction to an anesthetic increases with the rapid administration of the drug, the use of the drug on an empty stomach, the use of anesthesia after a serious illness, and the simultaneous use of several medications.

Symptoms

The response to anesthesia is immediate and delayed. Most often, the first signs occur an hour after general or local anesthesia. This allows doctors to take the necessary therapeutic measures.

In cases of a delayed reaction, which manifests itself after 12-24 hours, the patient does not always associate the deterioration with anesthesia and starts improper self-medication, thereby aggravating the situation.

The clinical picture of an allergy to general anesthesia is usually expressed in systemic manifestations:

angioedema;
swelling of the larynx;
respiratory depression;
heart failure;
pressure drop.

In these situations, minutes count, otherwise the patient may die.

Anaphylaxis also occurs with local anesthesia. Lidocaine is especially dangerous. Novocaine and Benzocaine are less likely to provoke pathological reactions.

Symptoms of local anesthesia:

redness, pain, swelling of tissues at the injection site;
hives;
lacrimation;
rhinitis;
itching and blisters on the skin;
small red dots localized on the elbow and knee folds;
epigastric pain;
bouts of vomiting;
diarrhea;
headache, loss of consciousness;
angioedema.

If resuscitation is not carried out in time, this will lead to death.

Important! In some cases, negative symptoms are not caused by allergies, but by the patient's weakened health or a violation of the dosage of the drug. This usually happens when using general anesthesia, especially intravenous. Many components in its composition have a strong toxic effect, therefore, they inhibit the activity of the heart and lungs.

The risk is increased in patients with heart or kidney failure, serious chronic diseases. In these cases, local anesthesia is recommended. If this is not possible, it is necessary to choose the exact dosage and type of anesthetic, and during the operation, the anesthesiologist must constantly monitor the patient's condition.

Possible consequences

Allergy to anesthesia is the most dangerous of all cases of drug allergy. The patient is unconscious or sensory disabled, so they are unable to signal that their condition is deteriorating. The doctor can judge this only by objective signs, when precious time has already been lost.

The most dangerous consequences of allergies:

respiratory depression and heartbeat;
increased blood clotting, which is deadly under conditions of surgery;
violation of the functioning of internal organs, which can lead to death.

No less dangerous and delayed consequences:

thrombocytopenia;
hemorrhagic diathesis;
serum sickness.

These diseases can make a person disabled.

Diagnostics

Usually, the fact that the patient has an allergy to anesthesia becomes known already at the time of the onset of symptoms. However, people prone to allergies need to be aware of this in advance to avoid fatal complications.

It is impossible to independently check whether there is an allergy to anesthesia. Before visiting a dentist or surgery, you should consult an allergist and an immunologist. How to check if there is a reaction to anesthesia:

ELISA blood test. Detects the presence in plasma of specific antibodies to proteins.
Measurement of the level of histamine in the blood.
Skin tests. They are the simplest and most informative for diagnosing allergies. Micro-notches are made on the forearm, then a solution of the alleged allergen is dripped onto them. Redness and swelling indicate a positive reaction.

What to do

Treatment of allergy to anesthesia is urgent and planned. Urgent involves resuscitation if systemic reactions have developed. The patient is injected with Adrenaline and Eufillin to normalize cardiac and pulmonary activity, Prednisolone - to relieve inflammation. After stabilization of the condition, therapy with antihistamines and detoxification drugs is carried out.

Routine allergy treatment is prescribed for mild allergies to eliminate symptoms and prevent complications. The following medications are prescribed for treatment:

Antihistamines (Zodak, Zirtek, Erius, Diazolin).
Enterosorbents (Polysorb, Filtrum).
Local funds - Fenistil Gel, Allergodil, Vizin Alergi.

Important! Folk remedies for the treatment of allergies to anesthesia are inappropriate and dangerous to use.

What to replace

If a patient has been diagnosed with anesthetic intolerance, but urgently needs surgery or dental treatment, then an alternative should be selected based on the results of the examination.

For example, with intolerance to Lidocaine, a person can easily tolerate Novocaine or Benzocaine. Dental treatment under anesthesia is also possible, although this is also unsafe for an allergic person.

If surgery is necessary, discuss the possibility of using local anesthesia. Many operations are now successfully performed under epidural or spinal anesthesia. An alternative to intravenous anesthesia is mask or endotracheal, where fundamentally different drugs are used.

Useful video: what is general anesthesia

For more information on anesthesia, see the video below.

conclusions

Allergy to anesthesia is very rare, but its consequences are almost always deplorable. Therefore, allergy sufferers should be vigilant and conduct a preliminary diagnosis.

In contact with

When an anesthetic solution is introduced into the body, a reaction occurs between this allergen (all anesthetics have an allergic potential) and an antigen, and it is called an allergy to anesthesia. Even the smallest dose of anesthetic can cause an allergic reaction, although in general, it is not so common. It is customary to distinguish four types: light, moderate, heavy, very heavy. An allergic reaction to anesthesia is dangerous because there is a risk of developing anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema.

Dental practice, features of the use of anesthesia and the possibility of an allergic reaction

With the word anesthesia, almost every one of us imagines a dental chair, dental treatment. Probably, in this practice, as nowhere else, local anesthetics are used everywhere. The use of anesthesia gives doctors the opportunity to treat the tooth with high quality, and the patient undergoes this procedure absolutely painlessly.

Such a minus as allergic reactions is not uncommon for dentists. Allergy to anesthesia in dentistry takes the form of either damage to the skin that has been in contact with the allergen, or urticaria and anaphylactic shock (very rare, isolated cases). Most often, the reaction occurs not on the anesthetic itself, but on the preservatives contained in it. And often an allergic reaction is just a "horror story", even in people prone to allergies, the reaction usually does not exceed skin rashes, which disappear very quickly.

What causes an allergic reaction to anesthesia?

The doctor may choose the wrong method of anesthesia, or the anesthetic itself. It is necessary to have a complete picture of the presence of anesthetics, their mechanisms of action, indications and contraindications. Taking a patient history may also help. Another reason is the presence in the solution for anesthesia of not only an anesthetic drug, but also preservatives. The next reason is the composition of the anesthetic drug itself, for example, lidocaine has a complex composition, it includes additives that can cause an allergic reaction.

Genetic predisposition, the presence of vegetative-vascular diseases, mental dysfunctions and other disorders. A common reason may be that all anesthetics have the potential to cause allergies. Another reason may be an incorrectly calculated dosage, the introduction of a large amount of a substance. All causes of allergy to anesthesia must be taken into account by the doctor.

What are the signs of an allergy to anesthesia?

Symptoms of allergy to anesthesia can be divided into three groups.

The first is reactions from the skin, the presence of rashes and itching.
The second group can carry a danger to human life, these are swelling of the face, neck and upper respiratory tract.
The third group is the most difficult. It starts with a tingling of the face, itching, then people feel weak, chest pain appears, if the doctor does not take action, anaphylactic shock, swelling of the airways, heart failure, convulsions may develop.

What can be used to treat this reaction

Treatment is carried out symptomatically, usually depending on the observed reactions, the doctor decides on the use of drugs. If we observe an easy stage, then the proposed treatment is limited to the introduction of antihistamines. Most often, pipolfen, diphenhydramine and suprastin are chosen, and in most cases this is enough. If a second, more severe stage is observed, antihistamines are also administered and further, judging by the patient's condition, funds are prescribed to maintain, for example, the cardiovascular system.

If we are dealing with anaphylactic shock, then adrenaline is injected and artificial ventilation of the lungs is provided, with asphyxia. As a method of preventing and preventing the disease, it may be necessary to conduct a skin test, administer a small amount of anesthetic subcutaneously and observe the reaction of the body, redness, swelling in this place may indicate that the anesthetic was chosen incorrectly.

Traditional medicine, means and methods of treatment of allergy to anesthesia

Alternative methods of treating allergies to anesthesia include breathing exercises and massage, which is used in the treatment of asthma. In addition, for all types of allergies, hardening is suitable. After removing severe symptoms, you can prescribe breathing exercises, for example, take a deep breath and exhale through a straw.

Traditional treatment means herbal treatment. A good effect is given by a mixture consisting of licorice root, calamus measles, succession herbs, oregano and St. John's wort. This mixture is taken two teaspoons, brewed with boiling water, left to cool and then drink a quarter cup in the morning and evening. Another mixture is prepared from licorice, immortelle, calendula and burdock. The method of preparation does not differ from the previous one. If skin rashes persist, you can take a bath with herbal infusions. Burdock, string, elecampane, chamomile are well suited for this. A glass of herbs is brewed into five liters of hot water, and then added to the bath.

Allergic reactions to drugs have recently become the most common occurrence among the population. Especially allergic to anesthesia causes great problems for patients. Since anesthesia is used during surgery, a thorough history is taken before its use and they approach this method of anesthesia with great responsibility.

Narcosis and its varieties

Local anesthesia- this is a loss of sensitivity of any organ, which is caused artificially.
General anesthesia - this is when the patient has complete insensitivity and is put to sleep with loss of consciousness.

An allergic reaction to an anesthetic in a patient may occur during surgery or after surgery after a certain time.

Allergy to anesthesia

The reaction to the injected anesthetic drug may occur instantly or 10-15 minutes after the injection. The most formidable complication of allergy to anesthetic is anaphylactic shock. All medical institutions have drugs for first aid during anaphylactic shock.

When a patient falls asleep under the influence of anesthesia, it is very difficult to determine an allergic reaction to it. In this case, the following symptoms appear:

Rapid drop in blood pressure.
Tachycardia.
Loss of consciousness.
Paleness of the skin.
Swelling of the airways.
Stopping breathing.

In many cases, anaphylactic shock after an allergy to an anesthetic can lead to death.

Allergy after anesthesia

In fact, anesthesia is not a safe means during surgery, after which the following effects of anesthesia may appear:

Exacerbation of heart disease that can provoke anesthesia when the patient has chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Allergic reaction.
Respiratory disorders that occur in people with diseases of the respiratory system, such as bronchial asthma.

After anesthesia, patients with allergies may experience the following symptoms that appear after awakening from anesthesia:

Strong fragility of hair and their increased loss.
Fragility of the nail plate.
Various skin rashes.
Skin itching.

Symptoms

Depending on the method of administration and the amount of the allergen in the composition of the drug, the symptoms during and after an allergy to the anesthetic are as follows:

Redness of the skin.
Tingling and itching.
Difficulty breathing.
Various skin rashes.
Brittle nails.
Abdominal pain.
Edema.
Pain in the injection area.
Pain in the chest.
Feelings of fear and anxiety.

The reasons

There are a lot of reasons for the appearance of an allergy to anesthesia, these reasons are as follows:

Individual intolerance to the drug as part of the anesthetic.
Error in the selection of the dose of the drug.
Insufficiently trained anesthesiologist.
Toxic substances that are part of the anesthetic substance.
May be allergic to suture material, gloves, sterilization products, and surgical instruments.

First aid

If a reaction to anesthesia occurs in a patient in a hospital or any other medical institution, doctors will always come to the rescue and provide appropriate assistance. Since such cases mainly occur during surgery, first aid medicines are available in all operating rooms.

If the patient has symptoms of allergy or anaphylactic shock (redness of the skin, swelling of the face, hoarse voice, wheezing, low blood pressure and a feeling of fear), the following measures are recommended:

Apply a tourniquet above the anesthetic injection site.
Inject 0.1% epinephrine 0.5 ml under the skin or into a vein.
Inject prednisolone into a vein or muscle.
Give the patient any antihistamine that is at hand (diphenhydramine, fencarol, diazolin, suprastin, tavegil, claritin, loratadine, fenistil, and others).

Prevention

For preventive purposes, the patient must undergo a thorough examination before the operation, undergo allergy tests and provide the anesthetist with all the necessary information about himself.

In medical practice, it has been proven that an acute allergy to anesthesia can occur in very rare cases, but nevertheless these facts do not reassure. To determine an allergic reaction to any drug in the composition of the anesthetic, the following examinations are carried out:

Various skin tests.
ELISA blood test.
Allergen challenge tests.

No one can guarantee anyone that after anesthesia there will be no allergic reaction. To reduce the risk, the anesthesiologist carefully collects an anamnesis, asks about all manifestations of allergies from birth to the present. As a preventive measure, antihistamines and hormones are prescribed before surgery to reduce allergy symptoms. These medicines reduce the symptoms of allergies.

Recently, anesthesia has been used very often in dentistry. When a patient feels fear of dental treatment, experiences a strong fright, his blood pressure may rise, he may have a heart attack and dizziness, he may lose consciousness. To prevent such phenomena, dental anesthesia is used, which can be prescribed to the elderly, children and people of all ages.

Summing up, we can say that in any situation, before using anesthesia, it is recommended to approach the problem of allergies with caution.

The dentist is the worst doctor ever. Of course, this is a joke statement, but not only children are afraid of a visit to the dentist - even adults find it difficult to cope with panic. Self-control comes to the rescue, sometimes sedative pills are required - the practice of using it before filling has long become routine. However, the best way to relax in the chair and let the doctor do his job is with an anesthetic injection, that is, a drug that blocks pain for a while. The person who applied for medical help does not feel anything in the area of intervention - and the specialist freely carries out all the necessary manipulations. Of course, this greatly simplifies the situation for both the doctor and the patient - however, an allergy to anesthesia in dentistry can interfere with the use of anesthesia techniques. Unfortunately, it is not so rare - and can lead to a variety of consequences: from a skin rash to anaphylactic shock.

The reasons

Sensitivity to anesthetics used at the dentist's office is a type of drug intolerance. It may be related:

with the development of special specific immune antibodies (sensitization);
with pseudo-allergic reaction;
with drug overdose.

The risk of developing symptoms increases:

With rapid administration of the drug.
When using an anesthetic on an empty stomach.
In the case of treating a person exhausted by a long illness.

Sensitization is characteristic of the so-called true allergy, while the false one proceeds without the participation of antibodies. The symptoms are the same, so it is not possible to distinguish them without special tests. The likelihood of developing sensitivity is higher in people who have already experienced an episode of drug intolerance, suffering from bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, or receiving many pharmacological drugs at the same time - they are able to enhance each other's allergenic potential.

In some people, sensitivity is due to a reaction not to the anesthetic itself, but to additional components:

Adrenaline (Epinephrine);
preservatives;
antioxidants;
stabilizers (sulfite, EDTA);
bacteriostatic additives (parabens);
latex as part of an ampoule with medicine.

A true allergic reaction to the anesthetic develops only after repeated administration of the drug.

The immune system needs time to develop antibodies, so the occurrence of violations during the initial use of the active substance means either the presence of sensitization in the past, or pseudo-allergy or overdose. This principle works with all drugs and methods of anesthesia (including if an epidural is planned). However, there is a nuance: when the patient is already sensitive to a certain pharmacological agent, and it has a similar antigenic structure with the drug administered for the first time, a true allergy can still develop immediately.

Symptoms

Reactions to anesthetics in dental practice can be:

immediate (reaginic type);
delayed.

According to statistical studies, most episodes of manifestations of sensitivity are recorded, on average, an hour or two after medical intervention. This allows you to quickly identify and prevent unwanted reactions in the future, as well as to conduct differential diagnostics with similar conditions. However, at the same time, delayed forms are not uncommon, manifesting 12 hours or more after the injection of the anesthetic.

Local (local) signs

This is a group of symptoms, the area of manifestations during the development of which is limited to the contact zone - that is, the site of drug administration. Allergy to anesthesia is characterized by:

Edema.
Redness (hyperemia).
Feeling of fullness, pressure.
Soreness of the gums, tooth - when biting.

The described signs are not dangerous in themselves, but they can develop along with other pathological reactions - urticaria, Quincke's edema. If the clinical picture includes only local symptoms, their relief (cessation) occurs even without treatment after a few days - of course, provided that the anesthetic that caused the development of disorders is not re-introduced.

Dermatological manifestations

This group includes all types of skin lesions associated with allergic intolerance to local anesthetics in dentistry. They develop in both immediate and delayed types, are not life-threatening or pose a very significant threat.

Hives

It is characterized by the following complex of manifestations:

skin redness;
swelling, severe itching;
the occurrence of a rash in the form of blisters;
general weakness;
headache;
increase in body temperature.

Sometimes there is also a decrease in blood pressure (hypotension). The blisters are small or large (up to 10-15 cm in diameter), pink, merge with each other. The fever is called "urticaria", thermometry values range from 37.1 to 39 ° C. The rash disappears on its own, may persist for up to 24 hours; recurrence after the initial relief of symptoms is not ruled out.

This is an allergic reaction, which is often observed in combination with urticaria; in the process of development, different areas of the skin, loose fiber are affected. It is localized mainly in the area:

Eye, nose, lips, cheeks.
Oral cavity.
Larynx, bronchi.

The swelling is formed quite quickly, grows within a few hours, has an elastic texture, rises above the level of the skin. The most dangerous location is in the respiratory tract (in particular, in the larynx) - it threatens with suffocation and, if timely assistance is not provided, with a fatal outcome. The clinic includes symptoms such as:

significant swelling of the lips;
pallor of the skin;
difficulty breathing, which gradually increases;
"barking" cough;
dyspnea.

If the gastrointestinal tract is affected, it appears:

nausea;
vomit;
abdominal pain;
diarrhea.

If the localization of the edema is not life-threatening, it can stop on its own after 10-12 hours. Otherwise, the patient requires emergency medical attention to restore airway patency.

This is the most severe consequence of a reaction to a dental anesthetic and has the following symptoms:

Weakness.
Dizziness.
Tingling and itching of the skin.
Urticaria, angioedema.
Nausea, vomiting.
Difficulty breathing.
Sharp pain in the abdomen.
Seizures.

The development of anaphylactic shock is not determined by the dosage of the drug - even the minimum amount can provoke symptoms.

There are several forms of pathology, all of them are characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure and hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the body due to circulatory disorders. Occur at different times: from a few seconds to 2-4 hours after the administration of the drug.

Allergy to pain medication can also cause symptoms of rhinitis (runny nose), conjunctivitis (lacrimation, redness and swelling of the eyelids), isolated itching of the skin, not accompanied by rashes. Without treatment, pathological signs persist for several days, gradually weakening.

How do you know if you are allergic to anesthesia?

The reaction is caused by the interaction of a drug substance with immune antibodies of the IgE class. Their detection underlies most diagnostic tests, but history taking is primarily used. This is a patient survey to assess the nature of the symptoms and the likelihood of their being associated with an allergic intolerance.

Laboratory methods

Their use is widely practiced by dentists around the world to predict the response to anesthetics, filling materials and other components used in the treatment process. However, a positive test result is not yet a diagnosis; the judgment about the presence of an allergy should be supported by other information (for example, an anamnesis - objective manifestations observed after an injection of the drug in the past).

The most commonly used:

complete blood count (increase in the number of eosinophil cells);
enzyme immunoassay, chemiluminescent method for the detection of specific antibodies;
determination of the level of tryptase, histamine;
basophil activation test.

All methods have a different level and time period of sensitivity. Thus, tryptase levels can be determined on the eve of a dental intervention (in order to assess the likely risk) or within a day from the onset of symptoms (maximum values in anaphylaxis are observed after 3 hours, and the increase begins after 15 minutes). The search for antibodies is most often recommended to be performed within 6 months after the implementation of an allergic reaction.

Recognized as the safest skin test in determining the likelihood of sensitivity to local anesthetics in dentistry. Conducted using:

Compact lancets.
Allergen substances.
Diluting liquid.
Control drugs (negative, positive).

A solution of the test substance is applied to the skin (usually the forearm). Next - control suspensions. Markings are made everywhere. The selected site is then pierced with a lancet that, when used correctly, does not affect the blood vessels, but ensures rapid absorption of the drugs (and a high level of safety for the patient). Within a given time, the reaction is monitored - redness, swelling, blistering indicate a positive result (sensitivity).

Treatment

It is carried out as an emergency (in the dentist's office, on the street or at home after the development of symptoms) or planned (assigned by a doctor to eliminate manifestations that are not life-threatening, but cause discomfort).

Restriction on the use of an allergen drug

This method is also called elimination. The patient must refuse the anesthetic that caused the deterioration and, if necessary, undergo diagnostics to determine the immunological nature of the reaction. If it is confirmed, the use of a provoking drug in any form should be excluded - while it is important to pay attention not to the trade name of the drug, but to the main active ingredient and additional components (if they became the “culprits” of the violations).

It is important to understand that not only dental procedures are dangerous. The dentist should be aware of the presence of intolerance, but caution is required in other situations - for example, when using sprays and throat lozenges containing local anesthetics, as well as in preparation for gastroscopy and other procedures that require local anesthesia.

Drug therapy

To stop the symptoms of allergic reactions are prescribed:

antihistamines (Cetrin, Zirtek);
topical glucocorticosteroids (Elokom);
sorbents (Smecta, Enterosgel).

In most cases, drugs are taken orally in the form of tablets. The use of cutaneous agents - ointments, lotions - is required for dermatological lesions accompanied by a rash, itching. Sorbents play an auxiliary role, accelerating the elimination of allergens from the body, and are not prescribed for all patients.

For emergency care for anaphylactic shock, first of all, Adrenaline is required (it is also produced as part of the Epipen syringe pen for self-administration). Showing systemic glucocorticosteroids (Dexamethasone, Prednisolone), antihistamines (Suprastin) and other drugs (Mezaton, Ascorbic acid, solutions for intravenous infusion). These funds are also administered for urticaria, Quincke's edema.

Is it possible to find an alternative to local anesthesia?

The use of painkillers in dental practice has become routine and familiar not so long ago - until now, some experts suggest doing without an injection. It is worth noting that this, although it sounds scary, is actually a way out with simple manipulations - for example, the treatment of unstarted caries. But this option is not for everyone. Firstly, you need to have practically healthy teeth, and secondly, a high pain threshold.

Those patients who are terrified not even by buzzing, but only by the sight of a drill, with the development of sensitivity, find themselves in an extremely difficult situation. How to treat teeth with an allergy to anesthesia? There are two options:

Drug replacement.
Anesthesia (drug put to sleep).

In the first case, it is required to select a medicine in advance, to which there is no sensitization - for this, diagnostic tests are carried out (prick test, laboratory tests). It is worth considering that the risk of developing sensitivity does not disappear anywhere, and if a lot of time has passed after dental treatment, there is no guarantee that a reaction will not occur - a second examination is required.

Tests are performed with the drug that will be administered by the dentist - this way you can assess the likelihood of intolerance to all components contained in the ampoule.

Anesthesia ensures the complete absence of pain (the patient is unconscious), however, it has contraindications - in particular, severe pathologies of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It can be characterized by various complications during drug sleep and after waking up - and among them there are also allergic reactions. It is worth discussing the need for anesthesia individually at a face-to-face consultation with a doctor, since it is almost impossible to correctly assess the level of risk and other important points remotely. In addition, it is often impossible to repeat the procedure, so it is better to plan the treatment of several problematic teeth at a time.

There are several dozen types of allergies in the world. One of these varieties is an allergy to anesthesia (anesthesia), which significantly complicates the implementation of some medical interventions. Why does an allergy appear and what are its symptoms?

Types of anesthesia

Narcosis (anesthesia) is a type of influence on a person during certain surgical procedures, which reduces the sensitivity of the operated area or the entire body so that the patient does not feel pain.

In this regard, two types of anesthesia are distinguished according to the area of influence: general and local.

Local anesthesia- this is a temporary deprivation of sensitivity of a certain part of the body by turning off the conduction of specific nerves or bundles while maintaining breathing and consciousness. Local anesthesia is more easily tolerated by the patient and does not require special training. It is used in operations of medium and low complexity (for example, in dentistry), in the treatment of the elderly and people with severe chronic diseases.

General anesthesia required during major operations or complex childbirth. With general anesthesia, a person is unconscious - falls into. This type of anesthesia is difficult for the patient to perceive, requires preliminary preparation and examination, and is much more dangerous than local anesthesia. After general anesthesia, confusion may occur, the patient recovers for a long time (from several hours to several days), auditory and visual hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, pain in different parts of the body and general weakness are possible.

IMPORTANT! If the patient is going to have a major operation on the internal organs, the only possible method of pain relief is general anesthesia. However, choosing between general and local anesthesia, doctors stop at the second, if there are no contraindications.

Local anesthesia, in turn, is divided into 3 types:

Terminal (superficial), in which the anesthetic is applied directly from the outside, on the skin or mucous membranes;
Infiltration with the introduction of an anesthetic under the skin;
Regional - the introduction of the drug close to the nerve trunk. This type of local anesthesia includes 5 subspecies: conductor, spinal, epidural, intravascular and intraosseous.

Separately, combined and combined, inhalation and non-inhalation, multicomponent endotracheal types of anesthesia are distinguished.

The reasons

An allergic reaction to anesthesia can occur instantly, 10-15 minutes after anesthesia or within hours or even days after anesthesia. The most dangerous reaction to anesthesia is anaphylactic shock.

Causes of reactions:

Individual intolerance to the components that make up the used anesthetic;
Incorrect concentration or dose of the drug (overdose);
Low qualification of an anesthesiologist or lack of experience;
Exposure to toxic substances that are part of the drug;
Reaction to suture material, medical gloves, surgical instruments and sterilization products.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be mild or pronounced, appear over time or end quickly, cause complications or go away without serious consequences. Allergic symptoms during anesthesia include:

A sharp decrease in blood pressure;
palpitations or arrhythmias;
fainting;
Paleness of the skin;
Swelling of the airways;
Stopping breathing.

These symptoms appear during the administration of the drug or during surgical operations. Signs of an allergy to anesthesia that appear after anesthesia:

Violation of the condition of the hair (brittleness, loss);
Brittleness and delamination of nails;
The appearance of rashes on the skin;

What other alarming signals of the body may indicate an allergic reaction to the drug? This may be redness of the skin, a burning sensation on the skin, pain in various parts of the body (headaches, pain in the abdomen, in the injection area, chest), anxiety and restlessness, swelling and difficulty breathing.

First aid and treatment

If you do not provide assistance during an allergy to anesthesia, anaphylactic shock may occur, which often causes death.

REFERENCE! Signs of anaphylactic shock include redness of the skin, swelling of the face, hoarseness, wheezing when breathing, low blood pressure.

First aid for complications after anesthesia:

1. Apply a tourniquet above the injection site;

2. Intravenously or under the skin, inject 0.5 ml of adrenaline 0.1%;

3. Intravenous or intramuscular injection of prednisone;

4. Orally take any antihistamine.

REFERENCE! In some cases, enterosorbents are prescribed to quickly remove toxins from the body.

If these methods are not enough, hospitalization is required.

Prevention

To avoid negative reactions to the anesthetic, shortly before the operation, you need to undergo an examination and pass the necessary tests. The results of the tests are provided to the anesthesiologist before the operation.

Usually, the examination before the operation is based on several methods:

Carrying out skin tests;
ELISA blood test;
Allergen samples.

An allergic reaction to anesthesia, although rare, can turn into a tragedy or serious complications for the patient. To avoid them, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor in advance so that you do not have to provide assistance directly during the operation.