Red man syndrome is a condition that can occur immediately or after a few days of use of the antibiotic vancomycin due to a hypersensitivity reaction to this medicine. This medicine can be used to treat orthopedic diseases, endocarditis and common skin infections, but should be used with caution to avoid this possible reaction.
The main symptom of this syndrome, also known as red neck syndrome, is severe redness throughout the body and itching that must be diagnosed and treated by the doctor, and may need to remain in the hospital’s ICU.
Signs and symptoms that characterize this syndrome include
In the most severe cases, there may be a lack of oxygen in the brain, purple hand and lip limbs, fainting, involuntary loss of urine and faeces, and the shock that characterizes anaphylaxis.
The main cause of this disease is the rapid application of the antibiotic vancomycin directly into the vein. However, it may also appear when the drug is used correctly, with at least 1 hour of infusion, and may appear the same day or even days after use.
So if the person has used this drug but has already been discharged from the hospital and has these symptoms, they should go to the emergency room to start treatment right away.
Treatment should be guided by the doctor and can be done with discontinuation of the use of the drug and with the taking of antiallergic remedies such as diphenhydramine or injectable ranitidine. Medications are often needed to raise blood pressure and regulate your heart rate. like adrenaline.
If breathing is difficult, an oxygen mask may need to be used and, depending on the severity, the person may need to be connected to a respiratory system. Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone or prednisone may be used to regulate breathing.
Signs of improvement appear shortly after starting treatment with the necessary medications and the individual may be discharged after checking that symptoms are controlled and that blood, pressure and heart function tests are normalized.
Signs of worsening occur when treatment is not done and can lead to serious life-threatening complications by causing cardiac and respiratory arrest.