KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING ALLERGIC REACTION TO LOCAL ANAESTHETICS AND ITS PREVENTION PRIOR TO DENTAL TREATMENT AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATES- A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY

Abstract

Allergic reactions are classified according to the response of the body’s immune system which include type I hypersensitivity reactions which are mediated by antibodies derived from Ig E. The anaphylactic reaction is considered to be most feared among all the types of allergic reactions due its rapid onset and its fatal consequences by causing bronchospasm, circulatory collapse, edema of the upper airway and urticaria. The anaphylactic reaction is due to the release of a slow reacting substance called histamine into the bloodstream. These symptoms result from the interaction of IgE antibodies with the cells which are provoked by local anaesthetics. A questionnaire containing 10 questions was prepared and it was circulated among the dental undergraduates through mail and whatsapp as an online survey. A total of 100 undergraduate students attended the survey.Statistical test was run using chisquare test with statistical analysis software SPSS version 23 by IBM. From the limit of the study of local anaesthesiaallergy and its prevention, it is observed that local anaesthesia was mainly caused due to the presence of local anaesthetic solution especially ester groups and it is said to produce a type 1 hypersensitive reaction upon stimulus with reaction showing urticaria like lesion in the skin. Test dose is advised to be given intradermallyin the forearms as the common site of injection.