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Is it possible I'm not allergic to penicillin?
IL60477 posted:
I'm a 56 year-old male who, according to my mother, had an allergic reaction to peniciliin as an infant. Mom has passed on, and I don't know the nature of the reaction that deemed me allergic.
I recently read that 90% of people who think they're allergic to penicillin are not, and that among those who once were allergic as children, most probably "outgrew" their allergy within ten years. They may not be allergic, and are unaware of that possibility.
Are the things I've read true? May I not actually be allergic to peniciliin after all these years of avoiding it? My physician wants me to try Augmentin, but I'm kind of nervous about it.
I recently read that 90% of people who think they're allergic to penicillin are not, and that among those who once were allergic as children, most probably "outgrew" their allergy within ten years. They may not be allergic, and are unaware of that possibility.
Are the things I've read true? May I not actually be allergic to peniciliin after all these years of avoiding it? My physician wants me to try Augmentin, but I'm kind of nervous about it.
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Is it possible I'm not allergic to penicillin?I'm a 56 year-old male who, according to my mother, had an allergic reaction to peniciliin as an infant. Mom has passed on, and I don't know the nature of the reaction that deemed me allergic.<br /> <br />I recently read that 90% of people who think they're allergic to penicillin are not, and that among those who once were allergic as children, most probably "outgrew" their allergy within ten years. They may not be allergic, and are unaware of that possibility.<br /> <br />Are the things I've read true? May I not actually be allergic to peniciliin after all these years of avoiding it? My physician wants me to try Augmentin, but I'm kind of nervous about it.
Amelia_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi IL60477,
Unfortunately, no one here can tell you if you are or are not allergic to penicillin. Your best bet would be to seek an allergist for testing. Here is the WebMD Penicillin Allergy Overview for you to gather more information and speak with your doctor. Do stay safe and keep your doctor aware of your mother's concerns. I'm so sorry for her passing and wish you the best of health and happiness in the future.
Please take care,
Amelia
Unfortunately, no one here can tell you if you are or are not allergic to penicillin. Your best bet would be to seek an allergist for testing. Here is the WebMD Penicillin Allergy Overview for you to gather more information and speak with your doctor. Do stay safe and keep your doctor aware of your mother's concerns. I'm so sorry for her passing and wish you the best of health and happiness in the future.
Please take care,
Amelia
The difference between an itch and an allergy is about one hundred bucks. - Anonymous
Report This| Share this:Is it possible I'm not allergic to penicillin?Hi IL60477,<br /><br />Unfortunately, no one here can tell you if you are or are not allergic to penicillin. Your best bet would be to seek an allergist for testing. Here is the <a href="http://www.webmd.com/allergies/tc/penicillin-allergy-topic-overview">WebMD Penicillin Allergy Overview</a> for you to gather more information and speak with your doctor. Do stay safe and keep your doctor aware of your mother's concerns. I'm so sorry for her passing and wish you the best of health and happiness in the future.<br /><br />Please take care,<br />Amelia
Dear IL60477-
Yours is a very common story, and what you have read is entirely correct. Most people who think they have penicillin allergy do not, especially if the original reaction occurred > 10 years ago.
That said, I completely agree with Amelia that the best way to evaluate this is to see an allergist. There are good tests now that can pretty clearly identify any possible risk to your taking penicillin or related drugs. And I do think it is worth having the evaluation because these antibiotics are very useful for typical kinds of infections like sinus, lung, skin, etc.
Good luck, and let us know what happens-
Brian
Yours is a very common story, and what you have read is entirely correct. Most people who think they have penicillin allergy do not, especially if the original reaction occurred > 10 years ago.
That said, I completely agree with Amelia that the best way to evaluate this is to see an allergist. There are good tests now that can pretty clearly identify any possible risk to your taking penicillin or related drugs. And I do think it is worth having the evaluation because these antibiotics are very useful for typical kinds of infections like sinus, lung, skin, etc.
Good luck, and let us know what happens-
Brian
Report This| Share this:Is it possible I'm not allergic to penicillin?Dear IL60477-<br /><br />Yours is a very common story, and what you have read is entirely correct. Most people who think they have penicillin allergy do not, especially if the original reaction occurred > 10 years ago. <br /><br />That said, I completely agree with Amelia that the best way to evaluate this is to see an allergist. There are good tests now that can pretty clearly identify any possible risk to your taking penicillin or related drugs. And I do think it is worth having the evaluation because these antibiotics are very useful for typical kinds of infections like sinus, lung, skin, etc. <br /><br />Good luck, and let us know what happens-<br />Brian
Devon_ responded:
I have had a serious reaction to a sulfa drug. My allergist recommended the penicillin allergy test to make sure it was okay to take it. I really recommend taking the test. The peace of mind you get from knowing whether you are or are not allergic to something is priceless.
The test was not bad. I stopped taking my allergy medication for 10 days prior. The doctor injected a small amount of penicillin and other things into marked points on my arm. I was injected and monitored for a reaction. After a period of time, the dose was increased. Eventually I was given the medicine to drink.
I tested negative to pencillin. It is important to know what you can and cannot take!
The test was not bad. I stopped taking my allergy medication for 10 days prior. The doctor injected a small amount of penicillin and other things into marked points on my arm. I was injected and monitored for a reaction. After a period of time, the dose was increased. Eventually I was given the medicine to drink.
I tested negative to pencillin. It is important to know what you can and cannot take!
Report This| Share this:Is it possible I'm not allergic to penicillin?I have had a serious reaction to a sulfa drug. My allergist recommended the penicillin allergy test to make sure it was okay to take it. I really recommend taking the test. The peace of mind you get from knowing whether you are or are not allergic to something is priceless. <br /> <br />The test was not bad. I stopped taking my allergy medication for 10 days prior. The doctor injected a small amount of penicillin and other things into marked points on my arm. I was injected and monitored for a reaction. After a period of time, the dose was increased. Eventually I was given the medicine to drink. <br /> <br />I tested negative to pencillin. It is important to know what you can and cannot take!
BostonPilgrim replied to Amelia_WebMD_Staff's response:
Hi, I am allergic to Penicillin because I'm allergic to egg whites. I believe Penn is grown in eggs. I don't think I'm going to outgrow it. Let me know if I'm wrong please. I am over 60 bow. I'm an LVN and put a speck of it under my skin every year and I come up with a 1-3 cc wheal. Any thoughts of how I can get ok with Penn and I also cannot take flu shots for the same reason and I feel susceptable. Is there a bovine flu or Penn shot available?
Tkx, Dori White
Tkx, Dori White
Report This| Share this:Is it possible I'm not allergic to penicillin?Hi, I am allergic to Penicillin because I'm allergic to egg whites. I believe Penn is grown in eggs. I don't think I'm going to outgrow it. Let me know if I'm wrong please. I am over 60 bow. I'm an LVN and put a speck of it under my skin every year and I come up with a 1-3 cc wheal. Any thoughts of how I can get ok with Penn and I also cannot take flu shots for the same reason and I feel susceptable. Is there a bovine flu or Penn shot available?<br />Tkx, Dori White
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