Aspirin Desensitization Q & A
How do I know if I am allergic to aspirin?
While aspirin is one of the most readily available and oldest drugs on the market — it was first made available to the public in 1899 — it’s certainly possible to develop an allergy to it. If you’re allergic to aspirin, you can develop dangerous allergic reactions, even if you only take a small dose. If you’re allergic to aspirin, you may experience:
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Nasal or sinus pressure
- A runny nose or congestion
- Itchy rash or hives
While rare, an aspirin allergy can also lead to anaphylactic shock, which causes widespread swelling and makes it difficult to breathe. In severe cases, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
While anyone can develop an allergy to aspirin, it’s more likely to affect you if you have an aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Men and women who have nasal polyps, asthma, and chronic sinusitis are more likely to be sensitive or allergic to aspirin.
What happens during aspirin desensitization?
Aspirin desensitization involves gradually exposing your body to controlled doses of the drug to build up a tolerance. This therapy — which is a type of drug challenge test — requires you to go to Allergy Testing Center and take small doses of aspirin.
Your allergist carefully observes you ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions. Depending on your needs, your plan generally involves taking graded doses of aspirin at specific intervals over a period of two or three days.
After you are desensitized, you continue taking your aspirin at home. Over time, your body starts accepting aspirin without overreacting to it.
How effective is aspirin desensitization?
Aspirin desensitization is highly effective. It’s nearly 90% effective if you have AERD and continue desensitization regularly for at least a year.
Schedule your aspirin desensitization evaluation at Allergy Testing Center by requesting an appointment online, or by calling any of the Houston-area offices.