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Local anesthetic intolerance due to metabisulfite
A Dooms-Goossens1, A G de Alam, H Degreef
1Department of Medical Research (Dermatology), University Hospital, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Contact Dermatitis
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Severe facial and neck swelling occurred in a woman after dental anesthetic injection. This reaction was linked to sodium metabisulfite, an antioxidant, found in the anesthetic, confirmed by patch testing.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Allergology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Local anesthetics are commonly used in dental procedures.
- Antioxidants are often included in anesthetic formulations for stability.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old woman experienced severe facial and neck edema post-local dental anesthetic administration.
- The patient underwent patch testing with the anesthetic and its components.
Findings:
- The observed edema was attributed to sodium metabisulfite, an antioxidant present in the local anesthetic.
- Delayed positive patch-test reactions were observed for both the anesthetic and sodium metabisulfite.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for hypersensitivity reactions to antioxidants in dental anesthetics.
- Suggests the need for careful patient history and consideration of anesthetic components in adverse reactions.
- Informs dental professionals about potential allergenicity of sodium metabisulfite in local anesthetics.