Allergic hypersensitivity to lidocaine hydrochloride

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Dermatology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Local anesthetics are widely used in medical procedures.
• Hypersensitivity reactions to local anesthetics are uncommon.
• Amide-type local anesthetics like lidocaine are generally considered less allergenic than ester-type anesthetics.

Observation:

• A 39-year-old male patient presented with symptoms of allergic hypersensitivity.
• The patient exhibited urticarial dermographism.
• The hypersensitivity reaction was attributed to lidocaine hydrochloride.

Findings:

• Allergic reactions to lidocaine hydrochloride, an amide local anesthetic, are rare.
• Literature review identified only four previously reported cases of allergic hypersensitivity to lidocaine hydrochloride in the past decade.
• Urticarial dermographism can be a manifestation of lidocaine hypersensitivity.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider lidocaine hypersensitivity in patients presenting with unexplained allergic reactions post-anesthesia.
• Further investigation into the mechanisms of amide local anesthetic hypersensitivity is warranted.
• Awareness of rare adverse reactions to commonly used drugs like lidocaine is crucial for patient safety.