How is Allergy to Local Anesthetics Treated?
The treatment of an acute reaction to a local anesthetic is similar to that of a reaction from any other cause. If anaphylaxis occurs, treatment may include injectable epinephrine and antihistamines, as well as the use of intravenous fluids for low blood pressure and shock.The prevention of future reactions is another important aspect of treatment. Skin testing to local anesthetics should be under the direction of an allergist, as described on page 1. Once a reasonable alternative local anesthetic has been found to be tolerated by the person, only this specific local anesthetic should be used in the future. It is still possible that the person could experience a reaction to a different local anesthetic.
Sources:
Berkun Y, Ben-Zvi A, Levy Y, et al. Evaluation of Adverse Reactions to Local Anesthetics: Experience with 236 Patients. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;91:342-5.
Macy E. Local Anesthetic Adverse Reaction Evaluations: The Role of the Allergist. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;91:319-20..
Gall H, Kaufmann R, Kalveram CM. Adverse Reactions to Local Anesthetics: Analysis of 197 Cases. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996;97:933-7.
Mellon MH, Schatz M, Patterson R. Drug Allergy. In: Lawlor GJ, Fischer TJ, Adelman DC, eds. Manual of Allergy and Immunology. 3rd ed. Boston: Little, Brown and Co;1995:262-289.
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