Sunday 12 February 2012

An Aspirin Allergy and Its Relationship to a Salicylate Allergy

Individuals who experience an allergic reaction when taking aspirin, or any medications which contain aspirin, have what is commonly called an aspirin allergy. However, this type of allergy is actually quite rare affecting only about one percent of the entire population.
In most cases people who have a reaction to aspirin have a 'sensitivity' to the medication itself and are not having an actual allergic reaction where the immune system is responding to an allergen. Individuals who are sensitive to aspirin and have the medical condition known as asthma or sinus problems due to other allergies can experience serious complications such as an asthma attack when taking any products which contain aspirin.
However, the symptoms related to aspirin sensitivity can be mild to severe and are very much the same as an allergic reaction including itchy watery eyes, hives, swelling of facial areas, including the mouth and tongue, and difficulty breathing. However, it is extremely rare that aspirin causes such as severe reaction that it is life threatening.
One of the primary ingredients which aspirin contains is 'salicylates' which are natural chemicals that are found in many plants. Salicylates are also found in many food products particularly vegetables and fruits as well as many common cosmetic products and medications.
An individual is said to have a salicylate allergy when their immune system responds in the form of an allergic reaction when they come in contact with or ingest anything containing salicylates. The severity of the reaction depends upon the tolerance level of the individual to salicylates and can be mild to severe or even lead to anaphylaxis which is life threatening.
If you have a sensitivity to aspirin, it is essential that you read all labels on over the counter medications to determine whether they contain any aspirin and avoid taking these products. If you have a salicylate allergy it is imperative that you educate yourself about all the foods and products which may contain these chemicals. If you suspect that you may have a sensitivity to aspirin or a salicylate allergy, it is essential that you consult with your primary physician so that these conditions may be properly diagnosed.

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