True allergic reactions to local anesthetics are extremely rare and constitute less than 1% of all reactions. In addition, many of those allergic reactions are caused by the preservative constituents of the local anesthetics. Here we report a 12 year old girl with anaphylaxis to lidocaine (an amide local anesthetic) on two occasions. The allergy was confirmed by positive skin prick test to the drug. Skin testing and challenge to another amide local anesthetic (articaine) were negative. Subsequently, its use was well tolerated in a dental procedure. Up to our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient who is allergic to lidocaine and tolerant to articaine.
Keywords: Anaphylaxis; Anesthesia; Articaine; Drug allergy; LA, local anesthetic; Lidocaine; SPT, skin prick test; SQ, subcutaneous.