to think they should hav more evidence before diagnosing an alergy (penicillin)

[itsagooddaytosavehives]

DD has been on flucloxocillin for 4 days for an infection in her finger. last night she was woken up by intense itching and this morning she has an angry red rash all over her hands, feet and knees.

Its not hives and googling told me this was a common side effect and didn't necessarily mean an allergy.

went to the GP and saw the nurse (was no GP appointments available) who took a quick look at her hands and feet and said yes definitely a reaction, stop taking them, take piriton and don't have penicillin based antibiotics again. then she wrote Penicillin under the allergy section of her notes on the computer.

AIBU to think that this was quite rash (haha sorry) or is this usually how penicillin allergy is diagnosed?

It's exactly what happened to me when I took it. Except my hands and feet swelled up huge. Couldn't get shoes on or bend my fingers. And I have a rash that started as red spots and merged into huge red patches.

I've been told not to take it again.

What evidence would you like them to have?

That sounds exactly like my diagnosis of penicillin allergy.

The penicillin didn't make me feel any more unwell, just gave me a blotchy pink rash.

Not as rash as discounting it and risking an anaphylactic reaction the next time your DD is given any form of Penicillin.

That sounds like a mild penicillin allergy - and yes it's determined by them looking at the rash and saying 'thats a penicillin rash' - you can carry on exposing them to the allergen till they react more - but thats not a great idea

oh no of course not, id rather them err on the side of caution, I just assumed they would put ?penicillin allergy on her notes and then I don't know, I assumed they woudo a skin prick or blood test to confirm it.

Its my first time dealing with allergies sa none of my kids (up till now) are allergic to anything

When there’s a plethora of alternatives, there’s no need to try them again.

I’ve not had penicillin since the first time it was prescribed (as a young DC) and I just have erythromycin instead

That sounds completely sensible from the nurse.

I guess I shouldn't have looked at google haha!

it just said there are 2 types of rash, hives and maculopapular, the first means allergy and the second can mean allergy but often not. then said about the issues with being allergic to penicillin (struggling if others don't work, becoming antibiotic resistant etc) I should just listen to the professionals and not look online haha

My DD has 'allergic to penicillin' on her notes too. She was sick and had a horrible red itchy rash, it made her quite poorly. Allergic reactions can get worse each time so I wouldn't want to risk seeing what happened next time. Her body obviously doesn't like it so we have to take that seriously. There are alternatives.

It can be worse the next time I was warned when I got stung by a wasp and began to swell that if I got stung again it could be way worse

Couple of things to bear in mind here-

1. the itchy rash is evidence of an adverse reaction against the fluclox. There may be fancy (expensive) blood tests to absolute pinpoint the biochemical causation but the future management of the situation will remain as is - ie don't take fluclox again

2. it is possible to have a more serious adverse response on 2nd / subsequent exposures to allergens - hence the advice not to take it again and noting the adverse reaction on the medical notes.

I think it has been dealt with totally appropriately. Hope your DD stops feeling itchy soon.

thanks so much for confirming that I am indeed BU. Im more than happy with that, I just worry about things being misdiagnosed after being told I had a throat infection when I actually had blood clots on my lung but that's another story!!

Poor love isn't having much luck, shes very very itchy but hopefully it subsides soon :)

I had similar when I suddenly became allergic to penicillin as a teenager. I was told very firmly that I must not take penicillin again as each subsequent reaction would get worse. I have never thought it worth taking a chance.
As a matter of interest, whenever I have declared my allergy - to hospital doctors, dentists etc - they have often asked me to describe my symptoms and as soon as I describe the rash and the way it developed quite suddenly, they have all, without exception, added the info to my records. I also had to declare it once for an MRI - I didn't think to ask whether it makes a difference to the choice of dye or whatever it is the inject, but they definitely needed to know.

There isn't much they can do. I've just had the expensive blood test to check for penicillin allergy diagnosed similarly as a child as I've run out of antibiotics I can take due to various things.

My DS is 16 and was diagnosed with penicillin allergy at 18 months.

He has had a couple of operations in his life where he has need antibiotics afterwards. They prescribe him an alternative to penicillin and he gets to wear an additional wristband in hospital.

All will be ok.

My DD had a suspected allergy to penicillin which I did not agree with. When she ended up in hospital and not responding to other antibiotics they did try penicillin but in a treatment room which two doctors and adrenaline on hand. If needs be they can do this expensive and risky test of giving it again In controlled conditions but very exposure to an allergen if often worse than earlier exposures so not one they need to risk.

bananasandwiches that's really interesting! I wonder if people say/think theyre allergic due to it making them feel a bit unwell so the drs are checking you actually are.

Ill make sure I get her school medical notes changed.

do any of those of you allergic finf the allergy bracelets/necklaces a good ides. suppose not much of an issue as a child but as an adult who goes places on their own

Oh, and there are certain blue cheeses I can't eat as they make the inside of my mouth itchy. I have discovered that some cultures used in the manufacturing process are closely related to penicillin.

My parents were told when I was little that I had a penicillin allergy after I had a rash. I don't think I had a terrible reaction though. I don't like taking erythromycin either, it gives me bad stomach pains.

this is what I was coming from. which is why I thought it was an overreaction, but like you've all said, I wouldn't want to give her any again only for the reaction to be serious or worse

Treatment for an Amoxicillin Rash
Whether treatment is needed for an amoxicillin rash depends on the type.
Hives
Hives indicate an allergic reaction, and you should stop the amoxicillin treatment immediately. Topical treatments like Benadryl or an oatmeal bath can help manage the itching until the rash goes away. It is important not to scratch since this will only further irritate the skin and, if you break the surface, can increase your risk of infection. If wheezing, facial swelling, or breathing difficulties occur, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Maculopapular
Like with hives, Benadryl or oatmeal baths may be used to help ease the rash’s itchiness. Unlike hives, there is no need to stop treatment. However, doing so will likely increase how long the rash sticks around. You may wish to talk to your doctor about alternative antibiotics if you’d prefer not to put up with the rash longer than needed. As with hives, scratching the skin should be avoided since it can raise your risk of infection.

DS was diagnosed as allergic to penicillin when 1 as he became totally covered in red rash but not ill. The doctor said he loved his rash as it looked exactly like the textbook one and said he wanted to photograph it as it was so good. Then asked if DD who was 2 and over twice his size was DS's twin.

Pencillin makes me ill and once a doctor said its best to put down you are allergic and always get given alternatives which work fine and don't get ill from. If asked I explain not really allergic but always given an alternative.

Avoiding drugs because of a suspected but not confirmed allergy can be really risky.

The antibiotic routinely used in loads of U.K. Hospitals for Penicillin allergic patients is much more allergenic. In a recent national audit project multiple patients had anaphylaxis due to it. Hardly any actually had a Penicillin allergy when they were formally tested.

Personally I would ask for a referral to an allergy clinic and formal testing.

opinionatedfreak

thanks, that was what I was thinking. obviously im not going to give her any unless it was confirmed that she wasn't allergic, but I thought it couldn't hurt to know for sure

I too am allergic to Penicillin having had an all over body rash as a child. So as an adult have at times considered a bracelet (Medic Alert & similar), but on checking found there to be an initial cost plus ongoing annual fees. I've made if t 60 now with being able to tell Drs etc myself when needed 🙂
So, if your daughters medical notes are updated accordingly, this info SHOULD be on her medical file, whether accessed by her GP or any emergency medical staff on her electronic medical files. Also, where possible tell all her GP's etc & school this so there can be a prompt if she is needing medical assistance at any time.