Sulfa vs Sulfate vs Sulfur vs Sulfite Allergy

Having a "sulfa" allergy is quite common... What is uncommon is understanding that being "sulfa" allergic does not necessarily mean that one is also allergic to sulfates, sulfur, and sulfites. Also, when a patient states that have a sulfa allergy, they typically mean they have a "sulfonamide" allergy. Why is this understanding of significance? It's because there is confusion whether a patient with a sulfa allergy can take sulfate containing medications safe…

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What are the Most Common Severe Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis?

Image by James Heilman, MD from Wikipedia Interesting paper came out listing the most common severe drug-induced anaphylaxis . From a database of 333 patients who suffered from anaphylaxis, • Anaphylactic shock (76.6%) • Severe systemic reactions (10.5%) • Acute laryngeal edema (9%) • Severe bronchospasm (2.1%) • Fatal in 6 cases (1.8%) There were 270 cases (81.1%) of ambulatory anaphylaxis. Sixty-three cases (18.9%) occurred during anesthesia. 84 drugs were identified as being …

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Another Egg-Free Flu Vaccine Approved by FDA

First there was Flucelvax  introduced in 2012 and now there is Flublock , both considered egg-free for those concerned with egg allergy in traditional flu vaccines. Rather than being cultured in eggs, Flucelvax is cultured in mammalian cells and Flublock is grown in caterpillar cells injected by an insect virus containing the flu gene. Both vaccines are approved for use in people 18 years and older. Why the concern of egg-allergic patients with the traditional flu vaccine used to defend…

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Egg Free Flu Vaccine Approved by FDA

Why the concern of egg-allergic patients with the flu vaccine used to defend against both seasonal and pandemic flu virus ? Traditionally, the flu shot vaccine (both H1N1 and seasonal) are grown inside eggs which is where this concern arises. It also doesn't help that the pre-flu shot questionnaire specifically asks about egg allergy. Though egg-based, during vaccine production the egg protein is filtered out such that there should be no egg contaminants in the final vaccine. However, i…

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Is Flu Shot Safe for Patients With Egg Allergy?

It is the season for flu shots... and with that... we invariably get phone calls from patients asking whether it is safe to receive the flu shot if they are egg allergic. Generally speaking, the blunt answer is that it is safe... even if you have a life-threatening egg allergy. Why the concern? The flu shot vaccine (both H1N1 and seasonal) are grown inside eggs which is where this concern arises. It also doesn't help that the pre-flu shot questionnaire specifically asks about egg allerg…

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There are FOUR Distinct Types of Allergic Reactions

When people think of allergic reactions, they incorrectly believe there is only one kind... the kind that makes a person's nose run or the rash that appears after eating a food one is allergic to. Sounds simple, but sadly it is WAY more complex than that. There are actually 4 distinct types of allergic reactions that occur. All images courtesy of University of Georgia  unless otherwise specified. Type 1 This is the classic type of allergic reaction everyone is familiar with. General…

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How Does Silver Nitrate Cauterize?

Silver nitrate is a chemical compound commonly used by ENT surgeons to stop nosebleeds as well as obliterate granulation tissue (found around tracheostomy stomas as well as intra-orally ). Medical silver nitrate is typically purchased as matchstick applicators and is usually found in combination with potassium nitrate (75% silver nitrate and 25% potassium nitrate). When this applicator is combined with water (moisture inside the nose or blood): AgNO3 + HOH  -->  AgOH + HNO3 Nitric…

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How to Make Sudafed from Meth

Given the increasing difficulty in obtaining "over-the-counter" sudafed  (pseudoephedrine) to the point where it is easier to obtain the illegal drug methylamphetamine, a chemist has written a paper describing how to make sudafed from meth using reagants found in any well-stocked chemistry lab. For those who have been living in a hole, sudafed is a good nasal decongestant medication often used for nasal congestion and allergies that is now only found behind the pharmacy counter…

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Food Allergy Reaction Video

So the other day, I was watching the movie Hitch starring Will Smith and Eva Mendes during which there is this one scene where Hitch suffers an allergic reaction from a food he ate during a dinner date. Watch video . It's actually a pretty good depiction of a reaction due to a food allergy. However, given the throat-clearing suggesting airway swelling which extends to his face, he really should have called 911 as this not uncommonly leads to death if the airway swelling is sever…

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Patients with Iodine or Seafood Allergy CAN Receive Contrast During CT Scans

It is a prevalent belief out in the medical (and lay public) community that patients with iodine or seafood allergy can not receive contrast when undergoing certain radiological tests like CT or MRI scans. The concern is that contrast contains minute amounts of free iodide and as such, IV administration of this material puts the patient at risk of a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. Contrast is often given in these tests as it traces out bloodflow enabling the physician to see organ a…

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Strange But True Allergies People Suffer From (Sex, Kissing, Water, etc)

As shown on CBS news here , these things can cause an allergic reaction in the rare unfortunate individual: 1) Water can cause hives in some people (aquagenic urticaria) 2) Sunlight 3) Kissing (a person has recently eaten a food substance that the person being kissed is allergic too) 4) Sex (some women are allergic to seminal fluid) 5) Hops and barley can cause an allergic reaction 6) Low temperatures 7) Cell phones (due to Nickle content) 8) Pressure (too tight a belt, necktie, bra,…

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