Anyone got experience of penicillin allergy?

[Lollyice]

I was at the GP yesterday with an ear infection and was prescribed Amoxicillin for a week. I've had it before.
Took the first tablet and after half an hour I developed an itchy, raised rash. DH gave me an antihistamine and I stopped feeling itchy although my skin was raised and blotchy until this morning.
I rang the GP, practice nurse rang me back. The advice was, as I had taken the medication before, to try another tablet and see how I go. Then she said not to take it if I was on my own. Told her that DH was at work, would wait until he got home. She advised me of the opening hours and to call if there was a problem, if it was out of hours to call 111 for advice or 999.
I was a bit distracted when she called and now I feel worried about taking something that might need a 999 call.
Am I being a bit dramatic or would you follow the nurses advice and take the antibiotics? TIA

Personally I wouldn't. I have a penicillin sensitivity that manifests in the same way. If you're reacting like that then I would suspect a chat with the Dr themselves is in order, they can do an alternative prescription fairly fast.

If possible I would probably go to the surgery and take the penicillin there, so that if I had a reaction I could see a GP straight away, they could see the reaction, gauge if it's related to the penicillin, and prescribe something else if necessary.

I wouldn't take anymore. Ask to speak to a GP for an alternative. I'm allergic to quite a few antibiotics including Penicillin and it's a PITA most of the time . I've always been told to stop taking them immediately if I show a reaction.

I have a penicillin sensitivity that manifold eats on the same way too. And heartburn like I’ve been on the national fire eating team!

I also have developed sensitivities to lots of other antibiotics too and if I develop symptoms I tend to stop taking the medication and switch. The chances of something serious happening is pretty slim but there’s always the chance and anyway, it’s pretty unpleasant in the meantime!

Thank you all. I'm not going to take any more, I was at the swimming pool when the nurse rang. Not the best thing to do with earache but it feels OK, think it will clear up soon enough.
Great advice to take at the surgery Stupomax, will remember that!

DH can't take penicillin anymore. He used to be fine with it then one day had an allergic reaction after a dose. The next time he took it it was worse, the reaction was quite severe. The doctor advised him not to take it again as his sensitivity to it was getting stronger and the reaction likely to become more severe.
He says don't take it.

I can see the nurses point that establishing if it is actually the penicillin is a good idea (as it's a pita to have to avoid it) But you shouldn't just try at home that was really bad advice. If you are going to try, do it in the GP waiting room with the understanding that they will help if you react. It happens quickly, so you wouldn't be there for ages. I'm speaking as someone who developed an allergy to sulpha medication in my 40s and my face and tongue swelled up and I got terrible hives - with the second dose. The first dose sensitized my system, the second I reacted badly to.

I'm allergic to penicillin, my only symptoms were an itchy mouth and lips. My doctor told me to stop taking it straight away and put it on my medical notes. Never been prescribed it since. This was probably 10 years ago now. My GP said that any reaction is bad news. I'd been prescribed it previously to this with no problems. I would ask for a second opinion and get a different antibiotic.

I wouldn't take it. I reacted in a similar way last time I was prescribed amoxicillin, I told the GP and I have to take alternative antibiotics or take them under supervision in case I need medical intervention.

Dh has a severe allergy to penicillin- he’d taken it several times previously with no side effects, then 1 night took a dose before going to bed - I woke up 20 mins later to hear him wheezing and struggling to breathe- fortunately had some anti histamines at home and gave him one before heading off to A&E where he had IV antihistamine, hydrocortisone, fliluids and chest X Ray for anaphylaxis
He had a similar episode years later when our dd was on antibiotics for an ear infection and he must have touched her babygro where she’d dribbled- within minutes he was struggling to breathe- had to phone 999 that time
He now has epipen
Don’t take them!

I am allergic to penicillin, ampicillin and amoxycillin. Do not take another tablet. With me it started as rash/itch then everything started to swell (fingers were like sausages). I started to go a bit 'out of it'. Was on a Sunday and partner, now DH to me to out of hours doctor.
This was approx 20 years ago and I recently asked a doctor if it would be worth trying again. GP said definitely not.

I am allergic to penicillin, ampicillin and amoxycillin. Do not take another tablet. With me it started as rash/itch then everything started to swell (fingers were like sausages). I started to go a bit 'out of it'. Was on a Sunday and partner, now DH to me to out of hours doctor.
This was approx 20 years ago and I recently asked a doctor if it would be worth trying again. GP said definitely not.

DH was Rx a penicillin based antibiotic for cellulitis 10 days ago and had been battling the symptoms of an allergic reaction since then.

Hands and chest covered in huge itchy hives and welts, unable to sleep at night due to the swelling and itching. Bubbling skin on his hands like lizard skin. Blisters are now appearing.

He was taken off the pills after 4 days, and a non-penicillin substitute given, lots of antihistamine tablets and steroid creams, but he's still struggling with his hands.

I'm at my wits end with the sleepless nights, and I'm not the one suffering the symptoms! We've tried every product on the market, plus ice and cold water, so it's calamine lotion today and see if the old remedies can work.

Helpfully, MIL announced last night he's been allergic to penicillin since he was a wee boy, with a similar reaction when he was about 4. It's not on his medical notes, and she's never bloody mentioned it before!

Don't just stop the pills without an alternative though, call the surgery back and ask to speak to the GP, not the nurse.

I had a skin rash reaction to amoxycillin and told to stop taking it but can still take Penicillin. I don’t have a spleen so take penicillin daily.

There are some shocking experiences on here, I hope everyone is OK!
Was just chatting to a school mum who has problems with her ears and ear infections can be life threatening too.
Am going to the doctors for a 2nd opinion in the morning and hopefully a different course of medicine.

Silverhairedcat if the calmine doesnt work you could try bicarb in water as a soak. When I had chickenpox as an adult this was very helpful in calming the worst itches. Hope he feels better soon.

My nephew has only just recovered from a reaction to penicillin that was not an allergy, but a toxicity - some people's livers can't process it properly, and he had hepatitis-like symptoms for several weeks.

I’d go to the doctors if I were you and get a different antibiotic.

My dd is allergic to penicillin, she came out in awful hives and her face puffed up.
I phoned the GP, the receptionist told me that as dd had penicillin before it would be something else causing the reaction (!!!) luckily the gp phoned me back and told me to stop immediately. I can’t exactly remember the wording, but apparently even though dd had penicillin as a baby, the reactions don’t always show the first time you take a medicine and can develop/worsen each time you take it.

I hope you feel better soon

I thought the second dose was more of a risk, i would mention to the doctor that the nurse thought you should take it, it's the doctors decision, not the nurse.

@fussychica great idea, thank you, may have to try it tonight, he's still itchy and driving me nuts