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Is Flying Safe When Suffering From Severe Allergic Reaction To Antibiotics?
Question: Hi My son had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and had to stay in the hospital in Spain for 5 days, because of a rash on both legs. The Dr. put him on anti-inflammatory meds. and Steroids. He had a flare up 4 days after he left the hospital from too much walking. He is on a steroid regime. In one week he will be flying from Spain back to the U.S.
Is it safe for him to fly?He has been out of the hospital for 7 days. Had one flair-up since leaving hospital.
The left ankle has two blood blisters. Slowly improving. He has been off his feet other than going to the bathroom and getting up to eat. His flight leaves in 5 days from Spain to U.S.
Are flair ups common? Do they usually appear to be like a blood blister? The blood blisters are the size of a pea. Since this was an allergic reaction from an antibiotic, will there be any prolonged affects? Dr. said he had Vascilitis.
Is it safe for him to fly?He has been out of the hospital for 7 days. Had one flair-up since leaving hospital.
The left ankle has two blood blisters. Slowly improving. He has been off his feet other than going to the bathroom and getting up to eat. His flight leaves in 5 days from Spain to U.S.
Are flair ups common? Do they usually appear to be like a blood blister? The blood blisters are the size of a pea. Since this was an allergic reaction from an antibiotic, will there be any prolonged affects? Dr. said he had Vascilitis.
Brief Answer:
It is safe to fly back!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this drug reaction that your son had. I am happy he has been improving on a general note. He should take special note of what antibiotic this was and make sure he reports to all doctors before prescriptions so that they can factor it in before prescribing any medications in future.
Flare ups are not common. Symptoms get better after the causative drug has been identified and stopped. This is the best treatment. Steroids would help prevent aggravation of symptoms and offer rapid relieve.
The principal manifestation of drug reactions are blisters and a rash. This is typical and seems to be related to a sulfa drug. He should drink enough fluids and eat healthy. There would not be any longterm complications unless they have already developed at this time. If there are no complications right now, there would be nothing to fear in the future as this drug is no longer available in his system to continue causing damage.
I hope this helps. I wish your son well and a safe flight back to the USA. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Thanks for using our services, we very much appreciate that.
It is safe to fly back!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this drug reaction that your son had. I am happy he has been improving on a general note. He should take special note of what antibiotic this was and make sure he reports to all doctors before prescriptions so that they can factor it in before prescribing any medications in future.
Flare ups are not common. Symptoms get better after the causative drug has been identified and stopped. This is the best treatment. Steroids would help prevent aggravation of symptoms and offer rapid relieve.
The principal manifestation of drug reactions are blisters and a rash. This is typical and seems to be related to a sulfa drug. He should drink enough fluids and eat healthy. There would not be any longterm complications unless they have already developed at this time. If there are no complications right now, there would be nothing to fear in the future as this drug is no longer available in his system to continue causing damage.
I hope this helps. I wish your son well and a safe flight back to the USA. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Thanks for using our services, we very much appreciate that.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
another concern that I have for my son is that the blister that he has on the outside of his left ankle is taking a while to heal, is there something my son can do other than keeping his feet up and taking his prescribed medication to clear up the blister?
Also, Is it okay for him to walk while having the blister on his ankle?
Is there a chance for the blister if not healed in 5 days when his flight leaves, to clot and go through his blood stream to his vital organ while inflight?I have another question, my son is taking the steroid (10 days) and he went to bed with a headache and awoke with a low grade fever 99.9. Can he take Tylenol while on steroids? Also, could the steroids cause a fever and a headache?
Also, Is it okay for him to walk while having the blister on his ankle?
Is there a chance for the blister if not healed in 5 days when his flight leaves, to clot and go through his blood stream to his vital organ while inflight?I have another question, my son is taking the steroid (10 days) and he went to bed with a headache and awoke with a low grade fever 99.9. Can he take Tylenol while on steroids? Also, could the steroids cause a fever and a headache?
Brief Answer:
See below
Detailed Answer:
1. He should keep the blister clean and disinfect often with an antiseptic like Iodine in addition to raising the legs. Walking is okay but should be kept at minimum required to favor healing.
2. The blister cannot cause a clot to go to his vital organs. Blisters are very superficial and have nothing to do with blood vessels. However, vasculitis is a risk factor for clots and he should do require foot exercise, stretching on the plane so as to avoid stagnation that can favor a clot formation.
3. Yes, he can take tylenol while on steroids. Steroids are not the cause of this fever and headache. The fever is probably related to the inflammatory process associated with this drug reaction.
I hope this helps. I wish him well.
See below
Detailed Answer:
1. He should keep the blister clean and disinfect often with an antiseptic like Iodine in addition to raising the legs. Walking is okay but should be kept at minimum required to favor healing.
2. The blister cannot cause a clot to go to his vital organs. Blisters are very superficial and have nothing to do with blood vessels. However, vasculitis is a risk factor for clots and he should do require foot exercise, stretching on the plane so as to avoid stagnation that can favor a clot formation.
3. Yes, he can take tylenol while on steroids. Steroids are not the cause of this fever and headache. The fever is probably related to the inflammatory process associated with this drug reaction.
I hope this helps. I wish him well.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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