Aspirin Allergy

What are salicylates?
Salicylates are chemicals found naturally in plants. They are the major ingredient of aspirin and many other pain medications.

What Are the Symptoms of Salicylate Allergy?
This depends on the level of exposure to the salicylate and the degree of sensitivity to the salicylate. Depending or independant of the site of exposure, symptoms may include:

  • Lungs: Asthma-like symptoms, such as trouble breathing and wheezing
  • Nose: Congestion, Headaches
  • Skin: Changes in color, Itching, skin rash, hives and swelling of the hands, feet & face
  • Abdominal pain
  • Rarely, Anaphylaxis (Life-threatening severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and organ system failure).

How do we prevent these reactions?

By avoiding products that contain aspirin and salicylates:

  • Fruits: Apples, avocados, blueberries, dates, kiwi fruit, peaches, raspberries, figs, grapes, plums, strawberries, cherries, grapefruit, and prunes
  • Vegetables: Alfalfa, cauliflower, cucumbers, mushrooms, radishes, broad beans, eggplant, spinach, zucchini, broccoli, and hot peppers
  • Herbs, spices, tomato pastes and sauces, vinegar, and soy sauce, jams, and jellies
  • Beverages: Coffee, wine, beer, orange juice, apple cider, regular and herbal tea, rum, and sherry
  • Nuts: Pine nuts, peanuts, pistachios, and almonds
  • Sweets: Peppermints, licorice, and mint-flavored gum and breath mints
  • MEDICATIONS CONTAINING ASPIRIN

 

What is Samter’s Triad?
It is the presence of three associated clinical findings:

  1. Aspirin sensativity
  2. Nasal poyps
  3. Asthma
Ear,Nose and Throat Specialists