| Salicylate sensitivity | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
 Salicylic acid |
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| ICD-9 | 965.1 |
Salicylate sensitivity, also known as salicylate intolerance, is any adverse effect that occurs when a normal amount of salicylate is introduced into a person's body. People with salicylate intolerance are unable to consume a normal amount of salicylate without adverse effects.
Salicylate sensitivity differs from salicylism, which is an overdose of salicylates.[1] Sufficiently high intake of salicylates can cause poisoning even in non-susceptible people, because, as with all chemicals, the dose makes the poison.
Salicylates are derivatives of salicylic acid that occur naturally in plants and serve as a natural immune hormone and preservative, protecting the plants against diseases, insects, fungi, and harmful bacteria. Salicylates can also be found in many medications, perfumes and preservatives. Both natural and synthetic salicylates can cause health problems in anyone when consumed in large doses. But for those who are salicylate intolerant, even small doses of salicylate can cause adverse reactions.
Contents |
Terminology
Depending on whether the salicylate is a component of food or medicine, salicylate intolerance is a form of food intolerance or of drug intolerance.
Salicylate sensitivity is a pharmacological reaction, not a true allergy. However, it is possible for aspirin to trigger non-allergic hypersensitivity reactions.[2] About 5-10% of asthmatics have aspirin hypersensitivity.[3]
Samter's triad refers to aspirin sensitivity in conjunction with nasal polyps and asthma.[4]
History
An important salicylate drug is aspirin, which has a long history. Aspirin intolerance was widely known by 1975, when the understanding began to emerge that it is a pharmacological reaction, not an allergy.[5][6]
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of salicylate sensitivity are:[citation needed]
- Itchy skin, hives or rashes
- Stomach pain/upset stomach
- Asthma and other breathing difficulties
- Angioedema
- Headaches
- Swelling of hands, feet, eyelids, face and/or lips
- Bed wetting or urgency to pass water
- Persistent cough
- Changes in skin color/skin discoloration
- Fatigue
- Sore, itchy, puffy or burning eyes
- Sinusitis/Nasal polyps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Hyperactivity
- Memory loss and poor concentration
- Depression
- Pseudo-anaphylaxis
Diagnosis
There are no laboratory or skin testing methods for testing salicylate sensitivity. Provocative challenge is one method of obtaining reliable diagnosis. Provocative challenge is intended to induce a controlled reaction as a means of confirming diagnosis. During provocative challenge, the person is given incrementally higher doses of salicylates, usually aspirin, under medical supervision, until either symptoms appear or the likelihood of symptoms appearing is ruled out.
Treatment
Completely eliminating salicylate from one’s diet and environment is virtually impossible and is not a recommended course of action by many immunologists.[citation needed] The range of foods that have no salicylate content is very limited, and consequently salicylate-free diets are very restricted. The Feingold Association says that salicylate-reduced diets (the Feingold Diet) can be used to treat hyperactivity, bed-wetting, and other symptoms associated with salicylate sensitivity.[7]
Desensitization involves daily consumption of small doses of salicylate without symptoms re-occurring and slowly increasing the dosage.
Montelukast is one form of treatment used in aspirin-intolerant asthma.[8]
References
- ^ salicylism at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ Palikhe NS, Kim SH, Park HS (October 2008). "What do we know about the genetics of aspirin intolerance?". Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics 33 (5): 465–72. doi:. PMID 18834360.
- ^ Jang AS, Park JS, Park SW, et al. (November 2008). "Obesity in aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-intolerant asthmatics". Respirology 13 (7): 1034–8. doi:. PMID 18699807.
- ^ Kim JE, Kountakis SE (July 2007). "The prevalence of Samter's triad in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery". Ear, nose, & throat journal 86 (7): 396–9. PMID 17702319.
- ^ Casterline CL (November 1975). "Intolerance to aspirin". Am Fam Physician 12 (5): 119–22. PMID 1199905.
- ^ Patriarca G, Venuti A, Schiavino D, Fais G (1976). "Intolerance to aspirin: clinical and immunological studies". Z Immunitatsforsch Immunobiol 151 (4): 295–304. PMID 936715.
- ^ The Feingold Association
- ^ Kim SH, Ye YM, Hur GY, et al. (September 2007). "CysLTR1 promoter polymorphism and requirement for leukotriene receptor antagonist in aspirin-intolerant asthma patients". Pharmacogenomics 8 (9): 1143–50. doi:. PMID 17924829.
External links
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