Allergies after chemotherapy

Allergies after chemotherapy are common. At the same time, they occur more often than signs of intoxication of the patient's body. Allergies, unlike toxic side effects, do not occur as a specific reaction to any drug and do not depend on the method of chemotherapy.

Allergic reactions are expressed in a variety of symptoms, which can range from very mild and even unnoticed by the patient, to very severe, which can end in death for the patient.

Very mild manifestations of allergies include:

• skin rashes in small quantities,
• manifestations of eosinophilia - an increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood (they are a type of granulocytic leukocyte),
• a short-term increase in overall body temperature to 37.0 – 37.5 degrees (the occurrence of the so-called subfebrile temperature),
• the appearance of swelling in the area where the drug was administered.

Very severe manifestations of allergies include:

• the occurrence of anaphylactic shock,
• the appearance of laryngeal edema,
• the occurrence of pulmonary edema,
• the appearance of cerebral edema,
• the occurrence of exfoliative and bullous dermatitis,
• the appearance of Lyell's syndrome.

The presence of allergic reactions after chemotherapy often leads to a deterioration in the general condition of the patient. But, as a rule, specialists conducting chemotherapy do not consider these manifestations to be allergic reactions and do not associate them with the treatment. This applies, first of all, to allergic reactions with a slow rate of manifestation. Usually, at this time, patients are already admitted to doctors of a different profile for recovery.

Allergy symptoms after chemotherapy are observed faster and more intensely after repeated administration of drugs, which is called sensitization. At the same time, there is a predisposition of certain groups of allergy sufferers to the presence of allergic reactions to certain drugs. It happens that allergy symptoms occur during the first course of chemotherapy. But, usually, such symptoms are a consequence of sensitization, especially after a long course of repeated chemotherapy.

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Itching after chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs have a toxic effect on the patient's skin. At the same time, the appearance of early (near) complications is typical, which are expressed in the appearance of itching of the skin, as well as increased sensitivity of the skin. The patient's skin becomes very dry and can peel, which causes itching and the desire to scratch the skin. At the same time, redness of the affected areas of the skin is observed. The most severe manifestations of itching can bother patients on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Usually, these consequences disappear on their own within a few months after the end of the course of treatment.

Itchy skin can also be a manifestation of allergic reactions that occur after chemotherapy. In this case, skin rashes, redness of certain areas of the skin, and swelling appear.

To prevent deterioration of the skin condition, you should use the following recommendations:

1. Every day you need to take a hygienic shower and rub yourself with a soft sponge. Do not use a washcloth, so as not to cause additional skin irritation. After this, do not rub the skin, but blot the moisture with light and gentle movements.
2. You should not take hot baths, especially for a long time.
3. After taking water treatments, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with a moisturizing cream that does not contain alcohol or perfumes.
4. When washing dishes, as well as during any household work, it is necessary to use gloves to protect the skin of your hands from the aggressive effects of household chemicals.

Itching after chemotherapy may appear in the anal area. In this case, itching is accompanied by the appearance or increase of hemorrhoidal cones, which means an exacerbation of hemorrhoids after treatment.

Also, itching in the anus area may signal the entry of an infection into the anus area, which is called perianal or perirectal. Such diseases appear in five to eight percent of patients after chemotherapy. In this case, an exacerbation of the condition of hemorrhoidal cones, the appearance of intestinal disorders - diarrhea and constipation, as well as the presence of pain in the anal area, as well as the occurrence of fever are observed.

Rash after chemotherapy

After completing a course of chemotherapy, the patient may experience a skin rash in some areas of the body or all over the skin. This symptom is a side effect of the human body on the administered drug. The nature of the rash may be immunological (caused by an allergy) or non-immunological (caused by intolerance to the drug in a particular person). It has been noted that consequences in the form of skin rashes are observed in ten percent of patients in the form of an allergy, and in the remaining ninety percent of patients - due to intolerance.

The skin most often reacts to the side effects of drugs in the following ways:

• itching appears,
• reddening of the skin is observed,
• maculopapular rashes form,
• hives appear,
• angioedema occurs,
• phototoxic and photoallergic reactions are observed,
• fixed drug reactions are monitored,
• erythema multiforme appears,
• vesiculobullous dermatitis occurs,
• exfoliative dermatitis is observed.

From the above list of skin reactions, it is clear that a rash may be a manifestation of one of the types of skin diseases caused by the introduction of chemotherapy drugs into the patient’s body.

It is impossible to predict the severity of allergies after chemotherapy, this poses a great danger to the health and life of the patient. At the same time, the presence of allergic reactions can be both immediate and delayed.