Allergy to paracetamol in children and adults: symptoms, treatment

Paracetamol is a popular drug with antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is time-tested and approved for use by adults and children. The active substance is included in a variety of tablets, injection solutions, syrups, and suspensions. However, you need to know whether you may have an allergic reaction to this medicine.

Reasons for the reaction

When paracetamol is carried through the bloodstream throughout the body, under certain conditions the active substance is blocked and rejected. Increased production of histamine begins, a substance that provokes an immune reaction. Characteristic allergy symptoms appear. The reaction most often occurs in babies, since their immunity has not yet fully developed or is weakened after illness, teething, etc.

Factors causing allergies:

Individual intolerance to the drug or auxiliary components in its composition (potato starch, molasses, stearic acid, sugar, flavorings, dyes).
Significantly exceeding the prescribed dosage, uncontrolled use of medication.
Genetic predisposition. When parents are hypersensitive to paracetamol, the risk of a reaction in the child can be up to 60%.
Liver diseases.
Fungal infections.
Metabolic disorders.
Weakened immunity, most often due to chronic diseases.
The risk may increase with simultaneous use of hormones, antibiotics, and phenobarbitals.

Signs

An allergic reaction to the drug can be immediate (signs appear within a few minutes), delayed (up to 5 hours) and prolonged (up to 2-3 days). The time depends on the degree of sensitivity of the patient, on how large the dose of the drug entering the body is. Allergy to paracetamol in children usually occurs faster and has more severe symptoms.

The most characteristic signs are:

swelling, itching of the skin, rash, blisters, redness of the skin, red or pale pink spots, sores;
cough, shortness of breath, asthma attacks;
nasal congestion, copious mucus;
itching, redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes, lacrimation;
intestinal disorder;
overexcitement or drowsiness;
convulsions;
temperature rise is possible.

Allergy should be distinguished from toxic damage to the liver and kidneys by paracetamol. With drug-induced hepatitis, severe vomiting occurs, the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. There is a bitter taste in the mouth. The urine darkens and the stool becomes lighter in color.

Dangerous complications

If immediate medical attention is not provided, there is a risk of death.

May develop:

Quincke's edema. This condition is characterized by the rapid onset of swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and larynx on the outer sides of the palms and feet. The voice becomes hoarse. The airways narrow sharply, which can cause death from suffocation.
Anaphylactic shock. This is an almost instantaneous reaction of the whole body to an allergen. Swelling occurs, the pulse quickens, but at the same time the pressure drops. Breathing is difficult, there is noise in the ears, dizziness. There is a high risk of suffocation. If the person is not helped, the pressure will drop to almost zero, there will be no pulse and no breathing. A state of clinical death will occur.
Steven-Johnson syndrome. During its development, the skin, mucous membranes, and genitourinary system are affected. In a few hours the temperature will reach 40 degrees. Serous blisters form in the oral cavity, which can take several weeks to heal, and the eyes begin to fester. In 10% of cases, acute renal failure and internal bleeding occur, which can be fatal.
Lyell's syndrome. Rapid dehydration of the body occurs, which disrupts the blood supply to internal organs. The temperature rises. The body becomes covered with large, painful blisters. The skin looks as if it has been severely burned. The digestive system and respiratory organs are affected.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made by a general practitioner, pediatrician (for children) or an allergist. The doctor will interview the patient or his parents when it comes to the baby, and conduct a test for the suspected allergen. Children's serum is usually taken and tested for the presence of antibodies to paracetamol. Adults undergo skin testing. A tiny amount of the substance is injected under the skin. If redness appears after 15-20 minutes, then the irritant has been identified.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, the use of any antipyretic drugs carries additional danger. Therefore, doctors avoid using them if the temperature does not exceed 38.5 degrees.

It is better to reduce low temperatures with tea with linden, honey or raspberries. However, if the increase is significant, medications should be used.

Ibuprofen and Aspirin pose the greatest danger to the fetus during pregnancy. Also contraindicated:

Nimesulide.
Analgin.
Numerous dietary supplements.

Therefore, the first line drug is paracetamol.
If this remedy does not suit you, be sure to consult a specialist. – one of the most popular antipyretic and analgesic drugs, which is part of many medications.
Scientists claim that about 30% of children receive too large doses of paracetamol, which is fraught with the development of allergic reactions and a number of other side effects. In this article we will talk about a safe alternative to paracetamol. Let us immediately make a reservation that the following traditional medicine recipes should not be used without consulting a doctor. In some cases, you will really need a pharmacological drug that will help you cope with fever and pain. Folk remedies are usually effective when the symptoms of the disease are not pronounced.

Rubdowns and compresses for high fever

Orange and lemon at temperature

At elevated temperatures, oranges will be very useful. These citrus fruits contain a large amount of vitamin C. Orange juice and orange pulp will help reduce fever.

You can also grind the orange zest and store it for future use. It is also an excellent antipyretic that can be poured with boiling water and drunk instead of tea.

You can also reduce the temperature with lemon. You will need the juice of 1 lemon, which will need to be diluted by half with water. Drink this drink warm. This composition can also be used to wipe the skin to enhance the antipyretic effect.

Blackberries and sea buckthorn instead of paracetamol

Blackberries and sea buckthorn have good antipyretic properties. Here are a couple of recipes that you can easily use for:

Take 1 tablespoon of chopped sea buckthorn branches, pour 1.5 cups of boiling water and cook for 15 minutes with the lid closed. After cooking, let it sit for 2 hours. Drink the resulting decoction throughout the day.

Arkady Galanin

After a surge in liver diseases, which are characterized by an overdose of the components that make up paracetamol. In the USA, studies were organized that proved that it has a detrimental effect on the condition of the liver. Therefore, as an analgesic and antipyretic, it can only be used under the supervision of a doctor, and preferably with safer analogues.

Paracetamol is one of the most proven and clinically studied drugs. It is even included in the list of essential medicines approved by the World Health Organization.

Treatment

The main and most important condition for successful therapy is cessation of contact with the irritant.

To quickly eliminate signs of the disease, your doctor may advise:

In acute conditions requiring emergency care, the patient is given hormones (Dexamethasone or Prednisolone). First generation antihistamines are also used - Suprastin, Diphenhydramine, Pipolfen, Clemastine, etc. They are highly effective, but have multiple side effects, for example, they affect the central nervous system. They are not prescribed to pregnant and lactating women.
Antihistamines of the second or third generation - Loratadine, Cetirizine, Zodak, Astemizole, Erius, Telfast, etc. They are usually recommended for delayed-type allergies. They do not affect the central nervous system and can be used for a long time, but their use in heart and liver diseases is limited.
Ointments, gels that relieve inflammation, itching and rashes, for example, Panthenol, Fenistil. For severe swelling - Advantan, Hydrocortisone, Elokom. If a bacterial infection occurs, use antibiotic ointments - Levomekol, Triderm.
Medicines that help with allergic rhinitis - Tizin, Allergodil.
Drops for allergic conjunctivitis – Opantol, Optikrom, Histimet.
Sorbents that remove toxins - Enterosgel, activated carbon, Polyphepan, Polysorb, for infants - Smecta. It is usually advised to also eat bran, cereals and apples, which help remove harmful compounds.
Immunomodulators that enhance the body's protective reserves - Derinat, Interferon, Imudon, Timalin.

Folk remedies

It is possible to use them only as an additional method in treatment. It is necessary to consult a doctor, as there is a risk of worsening your health.

Some recipes:

To eliminate itching and rashes - baths with herbal decoctions - string, thyme, chamomile, sage, nettle.
1 g of mumiyo is diluted in 1 liter. warm water. Drink 100 ml once a day. half an hour before meals. Relieves irritation and itching.
Boil oatmeal in milk and apply the lukewarm mixture to itchy and inflamed areas.
1 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over yarrow. Insist, drink 6-8 times a day, 1 tbsp. l...
2 tbsp. l. Infuse nettle and mint in 2 liters. boiling water Cool and make lotions from the infusion.

Analogs

The restrictions listed above sometimes require changing the drug to one with a similar effect. How to replace Paracetamol? There are not many medications that replace this remedy. These include:

Aspirin.
Ibuprofen.
Diclofenac.
Codeine.

Each product has a number of advantages and disadvantages, which should be discussed in more detail.

Aspirin

Aspirin is used to replace paracetamol in cases of severe renal and liver dysfunction. This drug has a less pronounced effect on the condition of these organs, but can harm the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

The international name of this drug is acetylsalicylic acid. The medicine acts in a similar way to Paracetamol. Due to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase, the drug prevents the synthesis of prostaglandins.

The acid has an additional effect on platelets, preventing them from sticking together. This is used to prevent cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.

Unfortunately, the dosage in which the drug has an analgesic effect is quite large. And to reduce the temperature, a dangerous amount of the drug is needed. Therefore, aspirin has rather limited use for antipyretic and analgesic purposes.

The drug should not be used for:

Hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid.
Bleeding and increased bleeding.
Thrombocytopenia.
Breastfeeding.
Pregnancy in the 1st and 3rd trimesters.
In children and adolescents under 15 years of age.

Aspirin in children can cause severe Reye's syndrome, which can be fatal.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is one of the most popular non-steroidal drugs around the world. This is due to its high efficiency and safety. The medicine has less effect on the condition of the kidneys and liver than its analogues and can be used in children.

Due to the same mechanism of action as Paracetamol, ibuprofen can have an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effect.

Features of the action of ibuprofen:

Available in the form of tablets, external forms, suppositories and solution for intravenous administration.
Can be used in newborns as an intravenous solution and in children from 3 months as rectal suppositories.
To a lesser extent than selective NSAIDs, it affects the state of the cardiovascular system.
Has minimal effect on the liver.
Please note that ibuprofen is a non-selective anti-inflammatory drug. This means that the medicine has a rather negative effect on the condition of the gastric mucosa.
When taking ibuprofen for a long time, it is recommended to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa with proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole.

The use of ibuprofen in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy is prohibited. If bleeding continues, the drug should also not be used.

Diclofenac

An alternative non-steroidal drug to replace Paracetamol is diclofenac. The action of the drug is similar to that of ibuprofen. The medicine also belongs to non-selective NSAIDs.

Diclofenac has a greater analgesic effect and relieves fever worse. It should be used in the treatment of joint, toothache and headaches.

The drug can impair the function of the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system. However, this occurs with prolonged use of the drug and exceeding the prescribed dosage.

A negative feature of diclofenac is its ability to cause drug-induced agranulocytosis. This condition is characterized by the cessation of production of immune system cells and can lead to infectious complications. Therefore, long-term use of NSAIDs should be accompanied by monitoring of a general blood test.

Codeine

If NSAIDs are ineffective or cannot be used due to characteristic side effects, the doctor must use codeine to reduce the temperature. This drug is a morphine derivative and acts on opioid receptors in the central nervous system.

Codeine has a narcotic effect and is addictive when used over a long period of time. Use the drug with great caution.

Codeine has minimal analgesic effects but is effective in lowering body temperature. The medicine is sold only by prescription.

Contraindications to taking codeine:

Hypersensitivity to opioid drugs.
Liver and kidney failure.
Low blood pressure.
Bronchial asthma and pneumonia.
Arrhythmias.
Diseases of the central nervous system.
Pregnancy in any trimester.

The drug can be used with caution in nursing mothers. In children, the product can be used after 2 years.

What can replace the drug?

It should be borne in mind that paracetamol is included in many popular medications. For example, Panadol, Coldrex, Antigrippin, Ibuklin, Solpadein, Efferalgan, etc. are produced based on the substance. Therefore, you should always read the instructions carefully.

As a replacement, drugs with a similar effect that can reduce temperature and relieve pain are suitable . If your child is allergic to paracetamol, Nurofen based on ibuprofen is suitable. Diclofenac, Baralgin, Nimesil, Naproxen, etc. are also prescribed. It must be taken into account that a reaction can occur to any medicine, so it is better if the drug is recommended by a doctor.

Allergy to Nurofen in a child

Nurofen is often prescribed to children with elevated body temperature, since this ibuprofen drug effectively fights fever due to ARVI, flu or other infection.
Also, this medicine helps eliminate or reduce pain, for example, in the throat with a sore throat or in a joint after an injury. Nurofen in suspension is often used to treat children, since this sweet strawberry or orange medicine is approved from 3 months of age and can be used in young patients up to 12 years of age. As a rule, children swallow the pleasant-tasting syrup without problems , and it is very easy to dose using a special measuring syringe.

For the little ones, Nurofen is produced in candles. This form is called the most convenient for infants. Patients who are already 6 years old are allowed to give Nurofen in tablet form, which contains 200 mg of ibuprofen in each tablet.

As with any other medicine, an allergic reaction may occur to Nurofen. How to suspect that your son or daughter is allergic to this drug, why does it appear and what to do if the components of suppositories, suspensions or tablets have become a dangerous allergen for the child?

Prevention

The following measures help:

observe the dosage of paracetamol, do not abuse it for a long time. It is advisable to take the medicine if the body temperature exceeds 39 degrees. For infants, it is safer to choose the rectal form of the drug in the form of suppositories;
remove from the menu foods that can trigger allergies - citrus fruits, nuts, chocolate, seafood, red fruits, honey, strawberries, coffee, etc.;
You need to drink filtered water in an amount of at least 1.5 liters. daily;
do not drink alcohol. When treated with paracetamol, it can provoke a reaction;
lead a healthy lifestyle, provide the body with minerals and vitamins.

A reaction to paracetamol can occur in any person, especially against the background of reduced immunity and taking many medications. It is important not to start treatment and stop the disease in time, without waiting for serious consequences.

How to reduce fever at home without medications

It is possible to bring down a high fever in an adult at home without the use of medications. And even if it doesn’t happen so quickly, a person will feel relief and will more easily survive unpleasant symptoms while the body fights viruses and bacteria.

Time to drink tea

Liquid is an effective antipyretic agent. At high temperatures, it is important to avoid, as this can cause an additional increase in temperature. To do this, you need to replenish fluid reserves again and again in the form of warm tea (preferably natural tea - linden, raspberry or rosehip), fruit drink, broth or mineral water, which will increase sweating and urination. This way the body is detoxified and its thermoregulation improves.

Rubdowns and compresses

The use of alcohol or vinegar rubdowns and compresses is justified by the fact that they involve heat transfer and evaporate fairly quickly. Subsequently, the temperature returns to normal and long-awaited relief occurs. All you need is to prepare a solution of vinegar (in a ratio of 1:5) or alcohol (1:1) and rub it on your neck, armpits, groin, heels, elbows and hamstrings. You can apply a compress to your forehead. It is important not to cover yourself for several minutes so as not to overheat the body.

Alcohol at high temperatures

Some people prefer strong alcohol to treat colds and flu. However, the method is highly questionable, especially at elevated temperatures. If only because alcoholic drinks are energy tonics, which cannot be combined with bed rest. Also, C2H5OH (alcohol) slows down the synthesis of structural and enzymatic proteins, which include the above-mentioned interferon, which is so necessary for the functioning of the immune system. In addition, alcohol leads to dehydration and increases intoxication.