There are many situations where you might make a guess about having an allergy. You might have felt a little itchy after petting a particularly cute husky at the Humane Fort Wayne shelter and figured that you had a pet dander allergy. Sometimes our assumptions are spot on, though it’s always best to back them up with an allergy test. Other times, our symptoms may seem like an allergy but stem from something else entirely—as is the case with many penicillin allergies.
Penicillin drugs, like amoxicillin and ampicillin, are frequently prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Because many people believe they have a penicillin allergy, they miss out on this helpful class of drugs.
Why Is It Common to Mistakenly Believe You Have a Penicillin Allergy?
Many cases of misdiagnosed penicillin allergies stem from a childhood infection. When you have an infection, you may develop symptoms such as a rash or fever, which can easily be mistaken for an allergy to the antibiotic used to treat the infection.
After being diagnosed with a penicillin allergy, that diagnosis will be listed on your medical records. Unless you undergo an allergy test to challenge that diagnosis, medical staff will continue treating your infections with non-penicillin drugs.
Can Allergies Change?
Allergies can absolutely change. Even if you had a true penicillin allergy as a kid, it’s common to lose it by the time you’re an adult. Research shows that many patients who previously tested positive for a penicillin allergy can expect a 10% decrease in sensitivity each year. That means approximately 80% to 100% of patients with a penicillin allergy will test negative for the allergy 10 years after the initial positive test.
When To Schedule an Allergy Test
Many penicillin allergy diagnoses are based on symptoms that were not truly caused by the medication, and true sensitivities may fade over time. Confirming whether an allergy still exists can expand your treatment options and help ensure you receive care that is both safe and effective.
If you were diagnosed with a penicillin allergy as a child, or if you recently experienced a reaction to a medication that may indicate an allergy, it’s time to schedule a test. Contact Ear, Nose and Throat Associates to schedule your test today.