What is a penicillin allergy?
Allergies to penicillin are usually diagnosed in childhood, and it’s now believed that they are over-reported within the community. While about 10 percent of the population is labelled as being allergic to penicillin, most are found to be fine with the drug when they have an allergy test. It’s thought that childhood reactions to infection, which can come on quickly and mask symptoms of allergic reactions, are to thank for the high rate of misdiagnosis.
Sometimes, severe allergic reactions to penicillin can result in anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and always requires an urgent response.
Penicillins are widely-used and effective antibiotics which are important in treating bacterial infections and the high rate of misdiagnosis of penicillin allergy can mean people are unnecessarily prescribed less-appropriate antibiotic medications instead. Given the importance of penicillin in fighting infections, it’s important that suspected penicillin allergies are investigated closely by an allergist/immunologist.
If you suspect you have a penicillin allergy, or have been diagnosed with one in the past but have not had allergy testing to confirm it, it’s worth making an appointment to see an allergist to get a formal diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms
How is a penicillin allergy diagnosed?
As infections themselves can cause similar symptoms (for example, viral rashes), penicillin allergies are often misdiagnosed.
If you suspect you or your child is allergic to penicillin, you should book an appointment with your GP. They will generally conduct an allergy test, or refer you to a specialist. Usually, a skin prick test is enough to determine whether a penicillin allergy is genuinely present. This test will involve pricking the skin with two different penicillins. Then, the penicillins will be placed just under the skin’s surface. If these tests show negative, an oral dose of penicillin may be administered. You’ll then be monitored closely to see if a reaction takes place.
If none of these tests show a positive result, a penicillin allergy can be ruled out.
How do you treat a penicillin allergy?
If you are exposed, minor reactions (hives, swelling and itchiness) can be treated with an antihistamine, although will sometimes need a treatment of corticosteroid.
Anaphylactic reactions will need immediate treatment of epinephrine, via an EpiPen if available. Emergency services should be called immediately if you suspect someone is having an anaphylactic reaction.
It’s important that a clear and accurate diagnosis is made in the case of a penicillin allergy.