Image SourceI had the pleasure of evaluating a 1-year-old female for an amoxicillin allergy. Mother shared her daughter had a cold for a week, but seemed to be getting better. She then developed a fever of 102. She was seen by her pediatrician the next day and was diagnosed with her first ear infection and started on amoxicillin twice a day. Show
The patient was starting to get better, but then on the fifth day she woke up with a rash all over and her mother became concerned that her daughter was having an allergic reaction. Amoxicillin was stopped and her mother has been concerned about giving her the medication ever since. About 5 to 10 percent of children taking amoxicillin or Augmentin will develop a skin rash at some point during the course of the medication. The majority of these reactions are non-allergic, and most are caused by viruses. So, how can you tell the difference? A non-allergic rash occurring while taking amoxicillin or Augmentin will:
Warning signs it is a true allergic reaction would be sudden onset of the rash within two hours of the first dose, any breathing or swallowing difficulty or very itchy hives. Like the parent in the above scenario, even if you know it’s not an allergic reaction, it may still feel wrong to continue the medication or give it again in future. There are several reasons why it is better to continue using amoxicillin than stopping or changing to a different antibiotic:
If your child is on amoxicillin or Augmentin and develops a rash, always consult your pediatrician. If considered appropriate by your pediatrician, you can be evaluated by an allergist to assess if future avoidance is needed. If you’re interested in finding your nearest Texas Children’s Pediatrics location, click here. What are antibiotics?Antibiotics are medicines that treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria. Antibiotics damage bacteria so the body’s immune system can fight them. They do not work against viruses. Different antibiotics work against different bacteria. Penicillin is an example of an antibiotic. Sometimes, doctors choose an antibiotic based on what they believe will work. At other times, doctors will perform tests to work out which bacteria are causing the infection, and which antibiotics are likely to be effective against them. Many antibiotics are less effective than they once were due to them being used so often and bacteria becoming resistant to their effects. This is called antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics should only be used if they are needed to treat a bacterial infection. Allergic reaction to antibioticsIf you are allergic to antibiotics, you may get signs and symptoms like a rash, swelling of the face or difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, and usually occurs within an hour of taking an antibiotic. A severe allergic reaction is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. You may need to call triple zero (000) and perform first aid. The symptoms of anaphylaxis are:
Sometimes you can get less dangerous symptoms before an anaphylaxis, such as:
If you are allergic to antibiotics you may be instructed by a doctor how to avoid triggers and if severe they may instruct you how to use an adrenaline autoinjector such as EpiPen®. The doctor will record the allergy and type of reaction in your notes and electronic health records and will give you an anaphylaxis action plan. You may be advised to wear an emergency ID. Most allergies are caused by penicillin or antibiotics closely related to penicillin, or by another type of antibiotic called sulfonamides, but any antibiotic could cause an allergy. If you are allergic to one antibiotic in a class, you are likely to be allergic to all other antibiotics in that class. Feeling nauseous and vomiting after taking antibiotics is a common side-effect of the medicine, rather than an allergic reaction. Your doctor can usually diagnose allergic reactions to antibiotics by talking to you. They may refer you to an allergy specialist, who may ask for skin allergy and blood tests. If you have any other concerns about antibiotics, including possible side effects, contact your doctor. What is antibiotic resistance?Many bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Sometimes the bacteria change to protect themselves against the antibiotic. When this happens the antibiotic no longer works. This is called antibiotic resistance and is a serious global problem. The more bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the more chances they have to change and become resistant. If you use antibiotics when they’re not needed or don’t take antibiotics properly — such as missing doses or not completing the course — you give bacteria opportunities to become resistant. If an antibiotic no longer works against the resistant bacteria:
Sometimes it is possible to use another antibiotic to which bacteria aren’t resistant. However, it may not work as well, and it could have side effects. Also, bacteria may eventually become resistant to this antibiotic too. For these reasons, antibiotic resistance is a major threat to human health. There is concern that in time, there’ll be bacterial infections that just can’t be treated. What are ‘superbugs’?‘Superbugs’ are bacteria that are difficult to treat because they are resistant to several different antibiotics, and especially those that treat other resistant bacteria. Superbugs such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multi-drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are becoming more common, and can be a real problem in hospitals. How can I help prevent antibiotic resistance?Antibiotic resistance can’t be totally stopped, but it can be slowed down by sensibly using antibiotics. You can help by:
What does an antibiotic allergy look like?Look like small (less than half an inch) widespread pink spots in a symmetrical pattern or slightly raised pink bumps. Usually appear on day 5-7 from the start of the amoxicillin or Augmentin, but can occur at any time during the course of the medication.
How long would it take to have an allergic reaction to an antibiotic?A drug rash usually starts within two weeks of taking a new medication and begins as discrete red spots that spread, covering large areas of the body. Signs and symptoms of penicillin allergy often occur within an hour after taking the drug. Less commonly, reactions can occur hours, days or weeks later.
What do you do if you have an allergic reaction to antibiotics?If you or someone around you have symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 for immediate medical attention. If you're having a rash or other mild symptom after being prescribed an antibiotic, tell your doctor about it.
What is the most common antibiotic to be allergic to?Penicillin Allergy. Nearly everyone knows someone who says they are allergic to penicillin. Up to 10% of people report being allergic to this widely used class of antibiotic, making it the most commonly reported drug allergy.
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