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What Is a Sulfa Allergy?

Having an allergy means that you are hypersensitive to a specific substance. A sulfa allergy indicates an allergic reaction to sulfa-based drugs. It's important to be able to identify what a sulfa allergy is, its potential side effects, and its various forms.

  1. History

    • Sulfa is short for sulfonamides. These drugs were first discovered in 1935 and were originally used to treat bacterial infections. In recent years, bacterial strains have changed and mutated so much that a sulfa-based drug is not always the prescribed antibiotic of choice. Today, they are primarily used for treating urinary tract infections, eye infections, fungal diseases and often diabetes.

    Effects

    • An allergy indicates that you are hypersensitive to a specific substance. If you have a sulfa allergy, you are not actually allergic to the sulfa per se. The allergy occurs when parts of the sulfonamide attach to proteins in the body. This combination is what creates an allergic response.

    Side Effects

    • A reaction to a sulfa-based drug is quite common. A typical reaction to the medication is hives or a rash. If this occurs, stop taking the drug and speak to your doctor. In extreme cases, anaphylaxis can occur and can be fatal.

    Types

    • Sulfa drugs come in different forms, including an oral pill, topical cream and eye drops. Not all sulfa-based drugs have the prefix "sulfa" in their names. So it is important to let your doctor and pharmacist know if you have a sulfa allergy.

    Misconceptions

    • One major misconception that sulfa allergy sufferers believe is that being allergic to sulfa means they are allergic to sulfur as well. Sulfur is an important element in the body and is needed for survival. It is not connected with sulfa in any way, so a sulfa allergy should not be of concern if you are taking a drug with sulfur.

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