Readers Respond: How Do You Deal with Your Aspirin Allergy?

Responses: 24

Updated July 20, 2009

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I took aspirin in order to put my hangover down and after 3 hrs, i had my lips swollen for almost 30 hrs.
—Guest kelly

i felt headached then i took a pair aspirin which available at my office. After 2 or 3 hours,suddenly running nose,sneezing... and skin near eye start red, allegic systoms... until my 1 eye unable to open to see view. knew it serious, with another 1 eye run to clinic... reach clinic, i hard abit to breath... Doctor told me i am allergic to aspirin.
—Guest Yui

I suffered from hives for years before I figured out they were caused by ibuprofen. What made it difficult to figure out was they didn't hit for 24 to 36 hours after ingestion. I went on numerous diets and allergy tests to try to pinpoint my problem. My allergist was positive it was something I was eating. Now as long as I don't use any NSAID, I don't get hives anymore. Now how to deal with my backaches?
—Guest Jeff

I thought I had my bases covered and knew what medications I could and couldn't have. I never thought to check my new moisturizer. But low and behold it too contains salicylic acid, a derivative of the willow tree and form of aspirin. Thankfully it is in such a low dose that my body tolerates it enough that I don't need to go to Emerg for it. Just have to suffer through the painful and somewhat itchy side effect.
—Guest Marissa

when I was about 12 my parents gave me a aspirin for an upset stomach, I started to swell all over and spent a week in bed.
—Guest Marilyn Davis

Almost all of the sun blocks on the market have some form of aspirin in them. According to a response that I got from Coppertone, it is because it is such a uva-uvb blocker. I now read the labels on them also. It is very hard to find some without. Fortunately, my responses has been rash, so I am tolerant to the blocks that have a very low dose/percent in them. It is amazing how many things contain the "miracle" drug.
—Guest Cindy

I am 63 and have just had my first 2 allergic reactions to Asprin and Voltarin. I had to go to ER because my airways started swelling. I didn't realize that it was asprin I thought I had hay fever so I took a couple of asprins as I have done for years if I have a bad attack of hayfever....but this time it backfired on me. I thought at the beginning I had ingested some mouldy oats but after taking them again the same thing happened! So now I know never again.
—Guest Candy Raymond

I check labels carefully when taking a new OTC medication or have a new presciption filled. DO NOT test the medication by trying it. The reaction can be life threatening. When in doubt, do not take the drug. Also you might be sensitive to aspartame, green/white teas and other food that have plant extracts as the chemical compound that results in aspirins anti-inflammatory effect is similar to that found in many other plants as it was in the willow bark first used to derive aspirin. It is in the skin of apples which may have let to the "apple a day" practice. It would have been beneficial to those who do not have an allergy to the chemical. Bottom line: be careful about your medications, supplements and food additives.
—Guest Guest

i go straight to the er because my airways lock up so i cant breath... not a good thing.
—Guest Day

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Daniel More, MD
Allergies Guide

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