Penicillin allergies are relatively rare; among the 10% of American patients who report them, fewer than 1% of that number have a true penicillin allergy.[1] A few mild symptoms of a penicillin allergy include:
- Fever
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Hives (raised, itchy red bumps on the skin)
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or extremities
Patients with severe allergies to the drug can develop anaphylaxis—a life-threatening condition causing swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, rapid pulse and loss of consciousness.
Because reactions to Penicillin can be so severe, doctors and nurses must know when their patients have a true allergy. If we diagnose you with a penicillin allergy, we’ll put in or suggest a few safeguards to ensure any future health care providers can treat you safely.
Chart Notes
All health care providers rely on chart notes to understand a patient’s medical history, including their drug allergies. Some health care providers share notes through a connected medical records system, but you should always alert your provider to the allergy on the intake paperwork.
Medical Alert Tags
Medical alert tags let healthcare providers know about any conditions or allergies a patient has. The tags are crucial if a patient has a condition that will affect treatment. You can wear a lanyard or a medical alert. Keeping a card in your wallet indicating your allergy is also a good idea.
Talk to Your Pharmacist
Ideally, your health care provider won’t prescribe a drug containing any penicillin, but it’s always best to be certain where severe allergies are concerned. Double-check with your local Ft. Wayne pharmacist that your medication doesn’t contain any penicillin.
Confirming that you have a true penicillin allergy is the best way to ensure you receive safe and effective medical care. If you were diagnosed with a penicillin allergy more than ten years ago, it’s worth taking another allergy test. Contact us at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates to schedule your test with one of our specialists.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Clinical signs. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/hcp/clinical-signs/index.html [cdc.gov]