Posted on July 30, 2007 in Latest News
Penicillin is a medicine commonly prescribed to treat throat infections. It belongs to a family of drugs called beta lactam. It helps to stop the growth of bacteria in the respiratory tract. Some other drugs belonging to the penicillin family include amoxicillin, ampicillin and dicloxacillin. However some individuals are allergic to penicillin and taking this drug can affect them adversely.
Symptoms of penicillin allergy
A mild case of allergy results in a rash, itching, watery eyes and stuffy nose. Other signs include wheezing dizziness; weak pulse, diarrhea, nausea and lips may turn blue. In case of an adverse reaction the person may have anaphylaxis which is life -threatening. He may experience swelling in the tongue, lips or face, breathlessness and tightness in the chest. At such a time, immediately rush the person to hospital to save his life.
Mechanism of penicillin allergy
In case you have a penicillin allergy or sense the signs of a reaction, immediately stop taking the medicine and consult your doctor for alternatives.
Causes
A penicillin allergy develops only upon exposure to the drug. The body produces antibodies called IgE that stimulate histamine production upon receiving penicillin. So when the person takes penicillin the next time around, he develops an allergic reaction.
Detecting a penicillin allergy
Some people have a genetic tendency towards penicillin allergy. To accurately detect penicillin allergy you must undergo a skin patch test. You will get a small amount of penicillin introduced in to your skin. If you develop a red rash or bump in that area, it means you are allergic to penicillin.
Treatment of penicillin allergy
It is advisable to avoid taking penicillin if there is a known allergy to the drug. Your doctor will recommend some other medicine not belonging to the penicillin family. Sometimes distantly related antibiotics can be safely taken without a reaction. In the worst case, if you must take only penicillin for some illness, then the doctor will tell you to undergo desensitization for penicillin. You must undergo desensitization in a hospital under the strict supervision of a doctor. Under this the doctor will give you very small doses of penicillin, orally or in the form of an injection. He will then observe your reaction and monitor the dose accordingly. This desensitization takes one or two days and may not work for all people allergic to penicillin. Once you stop taking penicillin the desensitization stops.
Steps to avoid penicillin allergy
Inform your doctor and dentist beforehand about your allergy so that he can prescribe another medicine for your illness. When you take any medicine always be on the lookout for signs of an allergic response so that you can stop taking that medicine and save your life. To be on the safe side wear a medical alert bracelet that informs health care personnel about your allergy. Alternately write about your allergy on a piece of paper and carry it in your wallet at all times.
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