Adverse reaction to penicillin - what are the symptoms?

[pgwithnumber3]

DD2 (12 months) has a throat infection and Dr prescribed penicillin. She started to take it yesterday and today she has puffy eyes and a rash on her nose/face. Obviously this could be the infection but was wondering whether it could be a reaction to the penicillin?

Anyone know?

[SqueakyPop]

I get a very angry all-over rash.

[Fizzylemonade]

I puff up like a balloon, eyes swell almost shut, neck swells and affects my breathing. Rash as well, I think. I was fine taking penicillin in childhood only had this reaction when 18.

Go back to the docs just to check it out.

[Tommy]

DS1 was completely covered in a red puffy rash that got worse every day he was still on it

[pgwithnumber3]

Her eyes are all puffy and rash is covering her back and torso and her face. I am 100% sure she had penicillin when she had an ear infection. Going to make an appointment with Dr anyway.

Thanks everyone.

[AbbeyA]

My DS had a reaction to penicillin when young and has never had it since. Does anyone know whether this is for life, or do they grow out of it?
In case of OP I think you are doing the right thing in going back to the doctor.

[stealthsquiggle]

Could be either - go back and check. DS has a rash all over - no-one could be 100% sure it was reaction to the penicillin and not just a viral rash, but not wanting to take a chance he was declared to be allergic. Interestingly the GP decided not to take the chance with DD either even though she has never actually had penicillin.

[stealthsquiggle]

DS had reaction

Abbey - if your DS had a reaction once he wouldn't have been given penicillin since then, surely?

[AbbeyA]

No he hasn't been given it since and we always write it on medical forms so that he isn't given any. I just wondered if he has to do this for life?

[thequietone]

I had puffy angry rash. This was when I was a baby, and it's never caused any problems to refuse penicillin since, anywhere around the world. I just refuse it in case something happens again.

[stealthsquiggle]

AbbeyA - my attitude with DS is that it is just not worth the risk, since a mild reaction the first time could turn into a very serious reaction were he to be given it again - so yes, I think it is for life, but it's not a huge deal.

[pgwithnumber3]

I have an appointment later on. They have told me to stop giving her the penicillin. I assume they will give me an alternative antibiotic. Hope she is better soon, very upsetting to see her cry like this.

[stealthsquiggle]

Good luck - poor LO. If they do suspect it to be a reaction to the penicillin they will probably give her antihistamines to settle the rash down, which make her feel a lot better (and probably make her go to sleep).

[pgwithnumber3]

stealth, will the reaction to the penicillin be making her feel poorly as well? Oh my poor baby.

[fedupone]

They will give you eythromycin. a non pennicellin anti biotic

[stealthsquiggle]

It's probably itchy and uncomfortable - especially with puffy eyes. DS got a lot 'worse' when he reacted to the penicillin, but it was hard to tell what was the chest infection and what was the reaction IYSWIM.

[AbbeyA]

We will just keep writing it on forms then, I expect it is better to play safe.

[rebelmum1]

get some live yoghurt into her when she has finished the course, the alternatives can be quite tough on the guts.

[pgwithnumber3]

Went to the GP, he prescribed eythromycin but said she would never be able to have penicillin again. I hope this is not too bad a thing in the future, if she was ill again. As soon as I stopped the penicillin, the rash disappeared within hours.

Rebelmum, thanks for that, will do. I usually give her natural yogurt mixed with fruit but will buy the live stuff. Hope her gut is okay!

[stealthsquiggle]

It shouldn't be a problem - there are plenty of other antibiotics they can use. You will jsut get very bored of writing 'penicillin' on all allergy forms for ever.

Hope she feels properly better soon.