[Skin allergy to hydrocortisone hemisuccinate in a patient with asthma].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Corticosteroids are the basis of treatment of asthma; they interrupt the development of inflammation. However, corticosteroids can also be at the origin of severe allergical reactions.

CASE REPORT:

A 40 Year-old woman, during hospitalisation for severe acute asthma, presented with an allergy to hydrocortisone hemisuccinate (HCHS) in the form of generalised pruritus with, on examination, cutaneous mucosal lesions in the form of purpura and ecchymoses on the abdomen and the upper and lower limbs. The substitution of HCHS led to the return to normal.

COMMENTS:

Allergic reactions to corticosteroids, generally paradoxical, were for many Years ignored and their existence was controversial. They were usually secondary to the administration of injectable substances containing hydrocortisone hemisuccinate or methylprednisolone. Their physiopathology remains a mystery. Their management requires the immediate and permanent withdrawal of the product implied, antihistamine and adrenalin in the case of shock and symptomatic treatment.

• Authors: Fethi El Mekki, Sameh Belhadj, Sophia Taktak, Maher Abouda, Agnes Hamzaoui, Habib Ghedira
• Journal: Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983) (Presse Med) Vol. 33 Issue 9 Pt 1 Pg. 604-6 (May 22 2004) ISSN: 0755-4982 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Allergie cutanée à l'hémisuccinate d'hydrocortisone chez une asthmatique.
• PMID: 15226693 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Arachidonic Acids
• Immunoglobulin E
• hydrocortisone hemisuccinate
• Prednisone
• Hydrocortisone

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (adverse effects, immunology)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Arachidonic Acids (immunology)
• Asthma (drug therapy, immunology)
• Biopsy
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Drug Eruptions (blood, diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Drug Monitoring
• Ecchymosis (chemically induced)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, immunology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Medical History Taking
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Pruritus (chemically induced)
• Purpura (chemically induced)
• Treatment Outcome