Is an anaphylactic reaction/allergy to I.V. iodine genetic?

I'm going in for a CT scan to rule out a hernia, which will use a contrast iodine via I.V. My mother had a very bad anaphylactic reaction in the past to contrast IV iodine--is this genetic? I'm afraid of having a similar reaction. Also, do they "pre-treat" people with this allergy before the CT scan, and how do they treat an allergic reaction if there is one?
Answers:
You should tell the doctor about your mother's allergy. One thing you could do is to put some iodine on your skin see if it bothers you or gets red or itchy.There is no "pretreatment" before the scan.You will feel very warm and then very cool during the iodine iv, but that is normal. If you should have a reaction to the dye, they would treat you with epinephrine.
Good luck to you!

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Allergies can be genetic.
http://www.medicinenet.com/anaphylaxis/a.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/allergic_.

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I was told that there is a genetic component. My father had the same bad reaction your mother did, but when I had it done last year I didn't have a reaction. I believe they give you epinephrine if you do have a reaction, and of course you will be at a medical facility while this is going on.Not sure, but maybe you can test yourself with topical iodine - just a little spot on your skin and see what happens - if it's the same kind.

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There is usually not a familial pre-disposition to anaphylaxis with contrast iodine so I shouldn't worry too much - if your family had a history of reactions with general anaesthesia I'd be worried. Mention it to the radiologist about your mothers reaction, they can do a spot test to see if you react to iodine - iodine is a natural part of your bodies defence system stored in the thyroid gland so allergic reaction is exceptionally rare. I am skin sensitive to iodine as I was a theatre nurse and washed my hands in iodine all the time so my skin became sensitive to it then so its not out of the realms of possiblity. Put your mind at ease though if you do go into anaphylactic shock every hospital department knows how to deal with this - usually a shot of adrenaline and you are all well and good again!

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They very first thing you should do is when you go in for the CT scan is let them know there is a history of allergy to the IV iodine. If they are aware of this they can be ready incase anything happens.

Do not be afraid. this will only complicate the problem. Epinephrine is the drug of choice to treat anaphylaxis. All medical facilities have this in supply and it can be administred to you within seconds if the need arises.In anaphylaxis there seems to be the unfortunate collision of genetic predisposition and an environmental allergen to which the person is exposed. If your Mother or Father had severe allergies you are likely to also, HOWEVER, you may not have any of the same allergies. Allot depends on your body and how and to what it develops an immune response to the allergen .

So even though you may have allergies, you may not have the saem allergies as you parents.

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Yes, There can be a genetic link, however, through experience I have only had a handful of patients that reacted to iodinated contrast the same way that there relative reacted. Yes, there is a pre-treatment, this usaully consists of benadryl and solumedrol the night before and morning of your exam, or some RX like that. If you do the pretreatment you will need someone to drive you to the appointment because it can make you sleepy. If you are worried contact the facility that you are going to for the CT and they can fax a RX to your referring physician for the pre-treatment. Also if you have a reaction during the exam, they will be prepared for that and give you epinephrine and%26#92;or benadryl depending on your type of reaction.

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