Penicillin allergy: Things to know

Penicillin allergy is an over-reaction of the immune system to penicillin antibiotics and other related types. It is the most common type of drug allergy, which can cause a wide range of symptoms from rashes to anaphylactic shock, which are life-threatening.

1. General overview

Penicillin allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to penicillin antibiotics. Penicillin is often prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Common signs and symptoms of penicillin allergy include urticaria, rash and itching. If the reaction is severe can lead to anaphylactic shock – a condition that affects many systems of the body and is life-threatening.

Research has explained that penicillin allergy is often susceptible to incorrect diagnosis. This confusion will cause patients to use alternative treatments with less suitable and expensive antibiotics. Therefore, if penicillin allergy is suspected, an accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure the best treatment for patients in the future.

Other antibiotics, especially those with similar chemical properties to penicillin, are also capable of causing allergic reactions.

2. symptom

Signs and symptoms of penicillin allergy usually appear within 1 hour after taking the drug. There are also cases where reactions will occur several hours, days or even weeks later, but this phenomenon is less common.

Penicillin allergy signs and symptoms include:

  • Rash;
  • Urticaria;
  • Itching;
  • Fever;
  • Swelling;
  • Shortness of breath;
  • Wheezing;
  • Runny nose;
  • Itchy eyes, tearing;
  • Anaphylactic shock.

Is penicillin allergy dangerous?

Penicillin allergy affects the body and human life

2.1. Anaphylactic shock

Anaphylactic shock is a rare allergic reaction that is life-threatening and causes widespread dysfunction throughout the body system. Signs and symptoms of anaphylalactic shock include:

  • Spasms of the respiratory tract and throat, causing shortness of breath;
  • Nausea or abdominal cramps;
  • Vomiting or diarrhea;
  • Dizziness or fainting;
  • The veins weaken, the pulse beats rapidly;
  • Hypotension;
  • Menopause;
  • Loss of consciousness.

2.2. Delayed penicillin allergic reactions

Although less common, penicillin allergic reactions can still occur a few days or weeks after exposure to the drug, which will sometimes continue for a while as soon as you have stopped taking the drug. Other diseases from Penicillin allergies at risk include:

  • Serum diseases: Causes fever, joint pain, rash, swelling and nausea;
  • Drug anemia: Reduces red blood cells, makes the body tired, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath as well as other signs and symptoms;
  • Drug response to acidosis and general symptoms (DRESS): Leads to a rash, increases the number of leukocytosis, swelling of the whole body or lymph nodes and a recurrence of infectious hepatitis;
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome (Acute abocrotitis) and toxic epidermal necrolysis: Commonly referred to as SJS/TEN, associated with severe blistering and peeling of the skin;
  • Renal inflammation: May cause fever, hematoma, swelling, consciousness disorders and other symptoms

2.3 Differentiate side effects from penicillin allergy

Similar to other drugs, penicillin can also cause side effects that are not allergic reactions to the drug. Depending on the type of penicillin, the manifestations will also be different, but in general common side effects that users often experience include:

  • Nausea;
  • Mild diarrhea;
  • Headache;
  • Vaginal itching.

In addition, the manifestations of the infection that you are treating, or other uns related symptoms, are also often confused as penicillin drug allergic reactions.

3. cause

Penicillin allergy occurs when your immune system becomes hypersensitive to the drug. This is the phenomenon in which the body mistakenly believes the drug to be a harmful substance, then reacts against them as for viral or bacterial infections.

Before the immune system becomes sensitive to penicillin, you must come into contact with the drug at least once. If the immune system mistakenly determines penicillin as a harmful substance, antibodies against this drug will be developed. However, this does not mean that you must have ever taken penicillin, some evidence that the small amount of penicillin in foods is enough for the immune system to produce antibodies.

In the next time the drug is used or exposed to penicillin indirectly, specific antibodies will mark and let the immune system attack penicillin directly . This mechanism of action releases chemicals – the cause of which are symptoms associated with an allergic reaction.

Risk factors

Although anyone is likely to experience an allergic reaction to penicillin, a few factors will increase the risk such as:

  • Have a history of allergies, such as food allergies or allergic rhinitis (hay fever);
  • Have had an allergic reaction to another drug;
  • Family members also suffer from drug allergies;
  • Exposure to high-dose penicillin, repeated or prolonged use;
  • There are a number of diseases associated with drug allergic reactions, such as HIV infection or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

4. Penicillin and related drugs

Penicillin belongs to the class of antibacterial drugs known in general as beta-lactam antibiotics. Although the mechanisms of each drug are different, they are generally resistant to infection by attacking bacterial cell walles. In addition to penicillin, cephalosporins – a group of other beta-lactams, are also often associated with allergic reactions.

If you have had an allergic reaction to a type of penicillin, you are most likely also allergic to other penicillins or to some cephalosporins.

Penicillin includes:

  • Amoxicillin;
  • Ampicillin;
  • Dicloxacillin;
  • Nafcillin;
  • Oxacillin;
  • Penicillin G;
  • Penicillin V;
  • Piperacillin;
  • Ticarcillin.

Cephalosporins include:

  • Cefaclor;
  • Cefadroxil;
  • Cefazolin;
  • Cefdinir;
  • Cefepime (Maxipime);
  • Cefotetan;
  • Cefprozil;
  • Cefuroxim;
  • Cephalexin (Keflex).

5. prevent

If you have penicillin allergy, the simplest prevention is to avoid taking the drug. You should also consider following these steps to protect yourself:

  • Always notify healthcare workers, including dentists, of penicillin allergy or any other drug allergy;
  • Wear medical warning bracelets that identify drug allergies to ensure appropriate treatment in an emergency.

If you experience signs or symptoms of penicillin allergy, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible for a visit, as well as explain the allergic reactions and typical side effects. In case of signs of severe reactions or suspected anaphylactic shock after taking penicillin, an emergency number should be called or the patient should be taken to the nearest medical facility immediately.

To schedule a baby examination and vaccination at Share99 International Health Hub, you can contact HERE.

Article reference source: Mayoclinic.org

SEE MORE:

  • Treatment with anaphylactic shock
  • What is affinity leukocyukocyity? Is it dangerous?
  • Stevens-johnson syndrome: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
SEE MORE:

  • What is affinity leukocyukocyity? Is it dangerous?
  • Hematoma: Diagnosis and treatment
  • Causes of the appearance of leukocyphils in the ere

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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