How to Safely Find Out if You’re Allergic to Penicillin

Penicillin

Did you know that around 10% of Americans say they have a penicillin allergy? 

In reality, the number of people with a true penicillin allergy is far closer to less than 1% of the population. That’s potentially excellent news because when it comes to antibiotics, penicillin is one of the safest and most effective for numerous bacterial infections. On top of that, it typically comes with a lower price tag and fewer side effects than other options.

But the last thing a person wants to do is risk serious health complications by taking penicillin if there’s a possibility of an allergic reaction. Fortunately, we can help.

Our experienced team of allergists at Advanced Allergy & Asthma can safely determine if you have a penicillin allergy

The confusion around penicillin allergies

Like many allergies, there are several reasons people can assume they have a problem with penicillin. For many, they had a bad reaction when taking penicillin as a child. For others, they confuse side effects or symptoms of illness with an allergic reaction.

The truth is that even if you had a penicillin allergy at some point in the past, this sensitivity often disappears for 80% of people after ten years. And, unlike side effects of medication or signs of illness, allergic reactions to penicillin cause very specific symptoms.

Common signs of a true penicillin allergy include:

In severe penicillin allergies, you can also experience anaphylaxis. This rare and life-threatening reaction causes serious complications, from trouble breathing and drops in blood pressure to accelerated pulse and loss of consciousness.

Most people with a penicillin allergy develop symptoms within 60 minutes of taking their prescription. But, in rare cases, allergic reactions can occur in hours, days, or weeks afterward.

How to safely confirm a penicillin allergy

If you’re worried you have a penicillin allergy, there are ways to find out. And, no, you don’t have to risk a bad reaction by taking some penicillin. Instead, you can schedule an appointment with one of our skilled allergists in Ogden, Utah.

During your appointment, our team reviews your medical history and asks questions about your past reactions to penicillin. Finally, we perform a simple scratch test.

When you have a scratch test, we make a small prick in your skin and introduce a tiny amount of penicillin into your system. Then, we watch the area for changes, like swelling, itching, or redness. If this occurs, you have a penicillin allergy. Similarly, if nothing happens, you likely do not.

Once you know if you have a penicillin allergy, we can offer personalized recommendations about how to move forward. There are ways to safely navigate medical treatment for infections while avoiding penicillin medications. However, we also offer treatment programs designed to desensitize people to drugs like penicillin.

Are you ready to find out if you’re allergic to penicillin? Contact Advanced Allergy & Asthma in Ogden, Utah, to schedule an appointment by calling today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Managing the Dry Skin that Comes With Eczema

Eczema is more than simply dry, itchy skin. It’s a condition that makes it difficult for your body to retain moisture. Fortunately, there are ways to manage this problem and reduce uncomfortable flare-ups.

How To Safely Introduce Peanuts To Your Little One

In recent years, there’s been a dramatic increase in peanut allergies among children. This can be alarming as a parent, and you may want to avoid this food at all costs. However, introducing them the right way can be a better option.

Can a Gluten Allergy Affect Your Voice?

You probably don’t associate allergy symptoms with your voice. But food allergies can often trigger issues with the throat and lungs. Are you concerned you have a gluten allergy? Keep reading to learn more about how it could affect your voice.

Swear Off Acne For Good With AviClear

Are you tired of living with mild to severe acne? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything to improve your complexion, but nothing seems to work? It could be time to turn to AviClear™, the first and only FDA-cleared energy device for this condition.

What To Expect After Rush Immunotherapy

Are you eager to find solutions for your allergy symptoms that don’t involve more medications? Rush immunotherapy provides the same relief as traditional allergy shots — but they do it in a fraction of the time.

5 Common Hives Triggers and How to Avoid Them

Do you have itchy, red patches on your body? Feel like these welts came out of nowhere? Whether small or large, hives can range from mild to severe and develop for various reasons. Sound familiar? Here’s what you need to know.