Allergic response to metabisulfite in lidocaine anesthetic solution.
True allergies to local anesthetics are rare. It is common for practitioners to misdiagnose a serious adverse event to local anesthetics as an allergic reaction. The most likely causes for an allergic response are the preservative, antioxidant, or metabolites and not the anesthetic itself. This case report illustrates the need for practitioners to understand the many potential allergens in local anesthetics and to correctly diagnose patients that are truly allergic to the local anesthetic.
Campbell
J R
JR
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0566, USA.
Maestrello
C L
CL
Campbell
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D012882:Skin Tests; D013447:Sulfites / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000975:Antioxidants; D013447:Sulfites; C030981:metabisulfite; D008012:Lidocaine