Drug hypersensitivity cutaneous diseases in the elderly| JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS
Vol. 66: ISSUE 3 - SEPTEMBER 2018
Clinical Observations in Geriatrics - Clinical Experiences and Case Reports
Submitted: 2020-01-28
Published: 2018-09-15
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Drug hypersensitivity cutaneous diseases in the elderly

Dermatological Clinic, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Medical School, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
Allergy Unit, Hospital Santo Spirito Casale Monferrato (AL), Italy
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Medical School, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
Institute of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Medical School, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
Drug allergy Drug hypersensitivity Elderly

Abstract

The worldwide increase of life expectancy, changes in immunological capacity, comorbidities and polytherapy
are responsible for the increasing prevalence of geriatric drug related allergic skin diseases. In the elderly other
factors contribute to the onset of these phenomena, such as changes in the structure of the skin and mucous
tissues. The integrity of the epithelial barrier in old people is compromised by the loss of its constituents, that
predisposes to alterations of the hydrolipidic film with dryness, xerosis and pruritus. Also at the skin level are
frequently found abnormal immunological reactions towards new antigens and a chronic inflammatory state
that predisposes to a response oriented towards the Th2 cytokinic pattern, allowing allergens to penetrate
into tissues. Nevertheless, in the elderly drug related allergic disorders, in particular at the skin level, are often
underdiagnosed and difficult to treat.
Among the IgE mediated cases, urticaria and angioedema are frequent. However, there are also cell-mediated
mechanisms; in particular delayed type reactions to drugs often arise in the elderly for the reiterate use of topical
medications (anesthetic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory creams).
A detailed anamnestic history is essential to establish the causal link between an adverse drug reaction and
the specific drug. Moreover, in some cases it is necessary the specific knowledge of the histological picture.

Affiliations

R. Buquicchi

Dermatological Clinic, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Medical School, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy

E. Boni

Allergy Unit, Hospital Santo Spirito Casale Monferrato (AL), Italy

S. Procoli

Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Medical School, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy

G. Serviddio

Institute of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

M.T. Ventura

Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Medical School, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy

License

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Copyright

© Società Italiana di Gerontologia e Geriatria (SIGG) , 2018

How to Cite

[1]
Buquicchi, R., Boni, E., Procoli, S., Serviddio, G. and Ventura, M. 2018. Drug hypersensitivity cutaneous diseases in the elderly. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS. 66, 3 (Sep. 2018), 158-162.
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