Many patients have adverse reactions to contrast dye.
Contrast dye, also known as RCM, Radiocontrast Media or IV dye, is used for various tests and studies, such as cat scans, angiograms and intravenous pyelograms. Reactions to the dye often are quite common, relatively mild and occur only for a short period of time. However, in some cases the patient can experience more serious reactions that require treatment.
Rash
A rash is one of the most common reactions to contrast dye, especially the type that is iodine-based. The rash can cause a warm sensation to the skin and often is accompanied by itching and hives. This type of reaction can be treated usually with antihistamines or steroids.
Vomiting
Another possible adverse reaction is vomiting and dizziness. These symptoms can be brought on by low blood pressure, which is another possible reaction to contrast dye. The vomiting usually can be treated with anti-emetics, and the patient's blood pressure is monitored closely.
Shortness of Breath
Symptoms such as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing can be a life-threatening reaction. In these types of cases, injectable epinephrine is used to relieve the symptoms and reverse the reaction. A physician may prescribe steroids or over-the-counter antihistamines.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing an allergy to contrast dye can be difficult because there are no standard blood or skin tests available for this. To determine if an allergy is possible, an allergist can inject a small amount of dye under the surface of the skin to see if any reaction occurs. This should be done before the scheduled test with contrast dye to see how the patient will react to the dye.
Tags: blood pressure, reactions contrast
