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How do I Know if I Am Allergic to Penicillin?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Lots of people don’t know if they’re allergic to penicillin. They may have heard stories about an allergic reaction in their childhood, or they may have no one to tell them if allergy to the medication. The quick solution to this is not to take penicillin and find out because even the barest suspicion of allergy should be treated as potentially dangerous.

There a few things that can be done to test if a person is allergic to penicillin. The first of these is to listen to any stories. Reports of reaction to penicillin should be taken seriously and told to doctors. Allergy can last a lifetime, and unless there is some reason why penicillin is the only suitable drug for a condition, it should not be tried or used.

Penicillin is derived from the penicillium mold.
Penicillin is derived from the penicillium mold.

Yet some people manifest penicillin allergy as adults, and this is usually for a single, simple reason. The first dose of penicillin rarely causes a reaction. It’s often the second time people take the medicine that an allergic response occurs. If someone is worried about this, one possible way to check is to do an allergy skin test with an allergist. These may be able to tell if people manifest an allergic response after having received penicillin once before in the past.

A skin allergy test can be used to confirm a penicillin allergy.
A skin allergy test can be used to confirm a penicillin allergy.

This same advice would apply to anyone who is unsure about being allergic to penicillin. It is pretty easy to find allergists in most communities that can verify allergy, though it is still technically possible to have an allergic reaction later. Doctors may take this approach if they absolutely must prescribe penicillin to treat an infection. When a patient is unsure, they may perform an allergy test first to determine if allergy exists.

Most people learn of their penicillin allergy after a reaction, which often includes life-threatening face and throat swelling.
Most people learn of their penicillin allergy after a reaction, which often includes life-threatening face and throat swelling.

One reason that many people find it so important to know if they’re allergic to penicillin is because the allergic reaction to this medicine can be extremely serious and immediately life-threatening. Those who’ve had a reaction in the past are very likely to experience anaphylaxis if they take the medicine now. This can include symptoms like the airway closing off, the lips and tongue swelling, and ultimately unconsciousness.

Those who experience symptoms of anaphylaxis after taking penicillin require immediate medical attention.
Those who experience symptoms of anaphylaxis after taking penicillin require immediate medical attention.

In a hospital setting where the medication is being tried after a negative skin test, hospital personnel are well equipped to handle the emergency if a person is allergic to penicillin, often before much of that reaction manifests. At home, though, people don’t have the same medical options and would need to call 911, hoping help would arrive quickly. For these reasons, many people do head to an allergist before accepting a prescription for penicillin, if they are concerned allergy may exist.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

AnswerMan

I am definitely allergic to penicillin, so I wear a medical wrist bracelet all the time. If I accidentally get a dose of penicillin, I will have an allergic reaction just like some people get with bee stings or exposure to peanuts. Everything will swell up and I won't be able to breath on my own.

Thankfully, I've been able to take other prescription antibiotics whenever I get infections. The ER doctors look for those medical bracelets automatically, so even if I'm unconscious they'll know not to give me penicillin intravenously.

mrwormy

It seems like the last few times I've been to the emergency room, they have used other antibiotic drugs instead of penicillin. The nurse still asked me if I was allergic to penicillin, and I told her I didn't really know. I've only had one injection of it in my life, and that was 35 years ago. I think they decided not to take a risk because I didn't give them a definite "NO".

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    • Penicillin is derived from the penicillium mold.
      By: photocrew
      Penicillin is derived from the penicillium mold.
    • A skin allergy test can be used to confirm a penicillin allergy.
      By: Alexander Raths
      A skin allergy test can be used to confirm a penicillin allergy.
    • Most people learn of their penicillin allergy after a reaction, which often includes life-threatening face and throat swelling.
      By: jinga80
      Most people learn of their penicillin allergy after a reaction, which often includes life-threatening face and throat swelling.
    • Those who experience symptoms of anaphylaxis after taking penicillin require immediate medical attention.
      By: blondsteve
      Those who experience symptoms of anaphylaxis after taking penicillin require immediate medical attention.
    • Penicillin allergies can be serious, and CPR may be necessary if the person experiencing anaphylaxis is not breathing.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Penicillin allergies can be serious, and CPR may be necessary if the person experiencing anaphylaxis is not breathing.
    • Consulting 911 can be helpful in suspected cases of a severe allergic reaction.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Consulting 911 can be helpful in suspected cases of a severe allergic reaction.
    • Warning signs of an allergic reaction may include a swollen tongue.
      By: Deyan Georgiev
      Warning signs of an allergic reaction may include a swollen tongue.
    • Penicillin is the only antibiotic that can be tested for a drug allergy as of the year 2010.
      By: blas
      Penicillin is the only antibiotic that can be tested for a drug allergy as of the year 2010.
    • Signs of an allergic reaction may include swollen lips.
      By: phasinphoto
      Signs of an allergic reaction may include swollen lips.