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 At some stage during a visit to the doctors, nearly all of us would have been asked if we have any known allergies to the drug Penicillin. The logic behind this question lies in the fact that an adverse reaction to penicillin is the most commonly reported drug allergy. Ironically, Penicillin is still the most popular used antibiotic world-wide today, as it is highly effective and relatively cheap to manufacture.
What is penicillin?
Penicillin belongs to the family of antibiotics called beta-lactams, which includes amoxicillin, ampicillin and flucloxacillin. These antibiotics are used to treat infections such as sinusitis, ear, nose and those affecting the skin. It is worth noting, if you have an allergy towards penicillin you may also have an adverse reaction to these antibiotics.
An adverse allergic reaction to penicillin is fairly quick, with most people developing symptoms within the first few hours of digesting or injecting this antibiotic. An anaphylactic reaction to penicillin will occur immediately.
Symptoms:
As in the case of all allergies to antibiotics, penicillin allergies range from mild symptoms:
- skin rashes
- hives
- itchy eyes
- slurred speech
- abdominal pain
- nausea and diarrhea
However, there are more severe symptoms including swelling of the lips, tongue and face and rapid or weak pulse. If restriction to the airways occurs, resulting in an anaphylactic reaction, medical attention is required immediately.
What causes the penicillin allergy?
The cause of penicillin allergies are unknown, with higher rates of allergies being diagnosed in females than males. Due to penicillin often being the first drug of choice for doctors, it is useful to have your child tested for any reactions to penicillin as a precautionary measure. Interestingly, a person is not born with an allergy to penicillin and can develop one after being exposed to this drug only once.
If you suspect you have a penicillin allergy, visit your doctor, and a skin test will be undertaken.
Treatment
At this stage there are no cures for this allergy, with avoidance of penicillin being recommended. Anti-histamines can be effective in providing symptomatic relief for rashes and itching. More severe reactions may need prescription medicine, or a dose of steroids.
Desensitization is also used as a treatment with penicillin allergies. Here you start off with small amounts of penicillin, and gradually build the dose, until the immune system builds up an immunity to the penicillin. This desensitization treatment must only be done under strict medical supervision.
It is strongly advised that you wear an allergic to penicillin bracelet at all times if you have a severe allergy to penicillin.
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