You might not be allergic to penicillin anymore

[rangerrebew]

You might not be allergic to penicillin anymore

Reactions to the antibiotic can fade over time.
By Sophie Bushwick June 22, 2017
 
Have you ever gotten a skin test for a penicillin allergy?

 

"Are you allergic to any medications?" I've answered that query dozens of times since a childhood incident when penicillin, taken to treat a minor infection, instead gave me an itchy rash all over my body. So I respond automatically, and call out the common antibiotic. But I recently learned that this diagnosis could be wrong. Penicillin sensitivity can disappear over time, a fact researchers have known for years. So why hasn't my doctor told me to go get an official test? It could be because she doesn't actually know the allergy can fade.

http://www.popsci.com/penicillin-allergy-fade

[driftdiver]

Last time I almost died.  Not gonna chance it

[ConstitutionRose]

Interesting.  I developed the allergy when I was 16 and in boarding school.  The doc decided it was a good idea to give me a daily dose of chewable penicillin since I was aways coming down with something.  I am rarely ill, but if I can actually take penicillin instead of a broad spectrum antibiotic that would be great.

I love this place.  I would never have found that article on my own.

[Mom MD]

If  your allergy to penicillin was many years ago it may be that you are allergic to the vehicle it was supplied in (commonly beeswax) not the penicillin.  If the allergy was mild it is probably worth testing/rechallenging.  If severe probably not worth it.  In the case of severe penicillin allergy if penicillin is absolutely needed (which is rare) desensitization can be done.

[Applewood]

Not allergic to penicillin,  but I'm allergic to 99% of the other antibiotics.  Go figure.