Further references were obtained from these publications. Reports involving allergic or allergic-type reactions to systemic administration of corticosteroids were chosen for this review. An allergic-type reaction was defined as any reaction after administration of the drug that involved the appearance of adverse symptoms that are characteristic of unwanted immune responses. These symptoms include rash, sneezing, dyspnea, edema, bronchospasm, or death. Articles were excluded from the evaluation if they described reactions to topical, intraarticular, or ophthalmic corticosteroid administration.
Corticosteroids are medications that are often used to treat allergic reactions.
However, it appears that patients can also have allergic-type reactions to these agents. The severity of the reaction can vary from a rash to anaphylaxis or death. Both immediate and delayed reactions can occur. Allergic-type reactions are reported to occur more frequently in asthmatic and renal transplant patients than other patient populations. However, it is questionable whether all of these are true allergic responses, as there is conflicting evidence regarding the mechanism of the reaction.