Do I Have A Penicillin Allergy?

Do your symptoms occur quickly (less than an hour) after receiving a dose of penicillin?

Do you have a skin rash or hives (red bumps on your skin that might be itchy)?

Do you have itching all over your body?

Do you have a fever?

Do you have swelling of your face and extremities such as hands and feet?

Do you have runny nose or itchy, watery eyes?

Do you have repetitive cough, wheezing or shortness of breath?

Do you have tightness in your throat?

Do you have swelling of the tongue, throat and lips?

Do you have light-headedness or loss of consciousness?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have a penicillin allergy. Penicillin is an antibiotic used to treat various types of bacterial infections. An allergic reaction to penicillin is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to this drug. People who have a food allergy, hay fever, a family history of drug allergy, or an allergic reaction to another drug have an increased risk of penicillin allergy. Also, increased exposure to penicillin due to high doses, repeated or prolonged use increases the chances of developing an allergy to this drug. It is estimated that less than 1% of Americans is truly allergic to penicillin.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have a penicillin allergy. A penicillin allergy is an allergic reaction that is induced by your immune system due to penicillin antibiotics. Penicillin is a commonly used antibiotic in treating bacterial infections. Your immune system misidentifies penicillin as a dangerous substance and produces antibodies to the drug. The next time you take penicillin, these antibodies attack it, causing an allergic reaction. There is some evidence that trace amounts of penicillin in food can trigger your immune system to make antibodies. Diagnosing is based on a thorough physical examination, skin tests and a test called a “graded drug challenge.”

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have a penicillin allergy. A penicillin allergy is an improper reaction of your immune system to a drug called penicillin. The symptoms of penicillin allergy can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, treatment usually involves medications called antihistamines and occasionally oral or injected corticosteroids. A severe allergic reaction to penicillin is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment with an injection of epinephrine. People who have a penicillin allergy need to carry injectable epinephrine with them always and wear a medical alert bracelet. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend treatment called drug desensitization.