[Allergy to lidocaine: case report.]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Immunology
• Dermatology

Context:

• Adverse events following local anesthesia are often misdiagnosed.
• Allergic reactions to anesthetics may be due to preservatives rather than the anesthetic agent itself.
• The true incidence of lidocaine allergy remains largely unknown.

Purpose:

• To report a case of confirmed allergy to spinal lidocaine in a young female patient.
• To raise awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the possibility of lidocaine allergy.
• To emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and early intervention for suspected allergic reactions.

Summary:

• A 16-year-old female developed allergic symptoms including rash and edema minutes after receiving spinal anesthesia with lidocaine.
• Symptoms resolved with antihistamine treatment.
• Allergic triggering tests, including an intradermal test, confirmed lidocaine allergy.

Impact:

• Highlights the importance of considering lidocaine allergy in patients presenting with adverse reactions post-anesthesia.
• Underscores the need for vigilant monitoring and diagnostic workup for rare allergic responses.
• Contributes to a better understanding of anesthetic-related hypersensitivity reactions.