All You Need To Know About Sulpha Allergy

Symptoms

Usually, sulpha allergy symptoms could be one or more of the following:

• Extreme feeling of itchiness in the skin or eyes

• Rashes or hives on the skin all over the body

• Increased sensitivity to sunlight, with the rashes becoming more severe when they are exposed to sunlight

• Swelling in the arms, legs, mouth and tongue

• Indigestion-like symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

• Mild to severe headaches

However, in some rare cases, these serious symptoms are noticed in people with sulpha allergy:

• Breathlessness

• Acute pain in the muscles and joints

• Formation of painful blisters all over the skin

• Skin starting to peel off suddenly in certain areas

• Difficulty swallowing food

• Pain and soreness in the throat

• Anaphylaxis

• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

• Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Drugs to Avoid with Sulpha Allergies

Some of the drugs that can aggravate sulpha drug allergy are:

• Sulphamethoxazole:

Taken for infections (the most common drug to trigger a sulpha allergy)

• Sulphacetamide:

Eye drops taken for eye infections

• Sulphadiazine:

Topical treatment for burn infections

• Sulphasalazine:

Taken for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease conditions

• Dapsone:

Taken for leprosy, certain kinds of pneumonia and other dermatological conditions

• Mafenide:

A topical antibiotic to treat bacterial infections in severe burns

• Sulphadoxine:

Taken for malarial infections

• Sulphamethizole:

Used to treat urinary tract infections

• Sulphanilamide:

Used to treat vaginal infections

• Sulphisoxazole:

Used to prevent or treat body infections

It would be wise to check with your doctor when you consume the following drugs as well, as they may contain a certain quantity of sulphonamide content.

• Blood-sugar lowering medications

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

• Diuretics (water pills)

• Migraine medications

Treatment Options

Most people experience mild symptoms which can be managed by topical treatments or oral medications (based on your doctor’s suggestion). Typically, medications, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids, are sufficient to treat these mild allergies. In case of severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend an epinephrine (EpiPen) injection to control the reaction. Some people can also experience breathlessness, anaphylaxis and painful blisters on their skin, mouth or genitals. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

It’s important to inform your doctor if you have a known sulphonamide allergy. In certain cases, they may consider a process called drug desensitisation, where the medication is introduced in very small, gradually increasing doses under close supervision. This helps assess and possibly improve your tolerance to the drug.

Complications

In rare cases, sulpha allergies can cause the following complications:

• Anaphylaxis:

A severe allergic reaction that can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure and rapid breathing and can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome:

A disorder affecting the skin and mucous membranes, it often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by the appearance of painful, itchy rashes on the skin.

Prevention Tips

While you cannot cure a sulphonamide allergy, you can effectively prevent serious reactions by being aware of your condition and strictly avoiding sulphonamide-containing medications. Always inform healthcare providers about your allergy.

It’s advisable to carry a medical alert card that lists your allergy and keep it in your wallet or phone. Wearing a medical alert bracelet can also help others, especially emergency responders, take appropriate action if you are unable to communicate during an emergency.

Sulpha vs. Sulphite Allergy

Sulpha and sulphite are two entirely different components, and their allergies are also quite different from one another. While sulpha is usually found in drugs that treat various health conditions, sulphite is a preservative used in edible products like drinks (particularly wine), foods and other medicines. Usually, sulphite allergies can cause asthma-related issues. However, in some rare cases, it can lead to anaphylaxis as well. If you are allergic to sulpha, you can still consume foods and drinks containing sulphites without any problems.