About Allergies: Steroid Allergy

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Corticosteroids are medications used for the treatment of inflammatory medical conditions, especially various allergic diseases. Steroids are available as topical, inhaled, oral and injectable formulations. While steroids are frequently associated with various side effects, it is unusual -- yet possible -- for a person to be allergic to steroids. Allergic reactions to corticosteroids usually involve symptoms of contact dermatitis, but may be more severe, including urticaria and even anaphylaxis. Luckily, there are ways to diagnose steroid allergy, and most people with this unusual allergy can tolerate other types of corticosteroids. Steroid Allergy Corticosteroids are medications used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, including allergic and autoimmune conditions. It seems strange, then, that allergic reactions to corticosteroids actually occur--especially since these medications are used to treat allergic reactions. While severe allergic reactions to corticosteroids are extremely rare, they do in fact occur... See More About:  drug allergy  contact dermatitis  patch testing Side Effects of Corticosteroids Oral and injected corticosteroids (or simply "steroids") are medications used to treat inflammation in the body. When taken in oral or injected forms, the route of administration is termed "systemic." These medicines are used to treat a wide variety of diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other autoimmune diseases. Systemic steroids are also used to treat asthma attacks, and on occasion, severe allergic rhinitis symptoms. Examples include prednisone, methylprednisolone (Medrol dose pack), and injectable triamcinolone (Kenalog)... See More About:  side effects of inhaled steroids  side effects of nasal steroids  All About Drug Allergies Reactions to medication are extremely common. In fact, 15-30% of all hospitalized patients will experience an unintended reaction as a result of medications. However, true allergic reactions to medications only occur in about 1 of 10 of all adverse drug reactions... See More About:  sulfa allergy  aspirin allergy  iv dye allergy Asthma and Lung Allergies Various allergic diseases of the lungs are described, including asthma, COPD, emphysema and chronic cough. Other rare diseases are also covered, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and eosinophilic pneumonias. Allergies Ads Allergy Symptom Nasal Allergies Food Allergies Symptoms Allergies Allergy Allergies Featured Articles Common Allergy Issues in Children Food Allergies Allergies in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Drug and Latex Allergies Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis   More from About.com Plan a Caribbean Vacation Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a girlfriend getaway, or an active family vacation we've got the resources you need. Read more...> How to Eat Locally Eating locally has many benefits, the food is fresher, tastes better, and has less environmental impact. But how can you get started? Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement