Steroid allergy? A case report and review of the literature

Does "steroid allergy" truly exist? If in fact it does, what would be the potential impact on our patients? Steroids are used extensively in the treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and allergy-related conditions. COPD is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. Asthma affects about 5% of adults and is the most common chronic illness of children, prompting about 1.5 million patients to seek care in the Emergency Department (ED) annually. Steroids themselves, however, have actually been shown to induce hypersensitivity reactions. This is a case report on a steroid allergy and a review of the literature. Several cases worldwide were reviewed demonstrating steroid allergies of various types. The literature shows a small population of patients who may be susceptible to an allergic reaction to corticosteroids ranging from a simple skin reaction to anaphylactic shock. Steroid allergy must be considered more frequently.