ALLEGED ALLERGY TO LOCAL-ANESTHETIC DRUGS

Objective To identify the true nature of an acute reaction in 25 patie nts initially diagnosed as allergic to local anaesthetic drugs. Settin g University General and Dental Hospitals. Interventions Detailed revi ew of each patient's previous exposure to local anaesthetic drugs and of the history of the acute event was followed up with challenge testi ng by intradermal injection. Results One patient Tvas subsequently fou nd to be genuinely allergic to a local anaesthetic drug of the amide t ype. A wide range of conditions had actually precipitated the other ad verse reactions, but all could be classified under three major heading s: an immunological condition to a different antigen; a manifestation of anxiety; or an iatrogenic problem. Conclusion Local anaesthetic all ergy is rare, but does occur. All reactions to local anaesthetic drugs must be assessed carefully and specialist referral may be appropriate .