For my birthday last month, my mother bought me a bracelet with ‘penicillin allergy’ prominently printed in the middle. I travel a lot to other countries for work, and my mom worries that something may happen to me and I won’t be able to tell doctors that I am allergic. Penicillin is the only thing in the world that I am allergic to. I had lots of ear infections as a kid, and I broke out in hives for the first (and only) time when I was 13. The doctors said it was the penicillin. I avoided penicillin for 34 years after that with no problem, and am frankly of the impression that it isn’t used that much anymore. Just for the heck of it I went to an allergist last year, and they did confirm that I am allergic to the original penicillin, but not to any of its derivative antibiotics.
So how valid is my mother’s concern? How likely is it that I will be completely incapacitated and unable to speak for myself, and whatever caused it required penicillin immediately? I know it sounds silly, but I think I would look like a bit of a dork walking around with this bracelet on my arm for the whole world to see. I guess on the bright side, at least I’m already married and don’t need to impress girls with my coolness anymore… :smack:
Any thoughts?
PS Can’t wait to see my birthday gifts next year. Pocket protector and headgear?
Agreed. But I was hoping for an idea of what sort of situations that might include. I know that penicillin is used for ear infections, strep, and syphilis, but I can’t imagine any of them putting me in an instant coma…
I’m also allergic to penicillin. The story goes that as an infant or toddler they gave it to me and I almost died as a result, so I’ve been dutifully listing that as an allergy on medical forms my entire life, even though I have no recollection of the reaction.
I had a nasty ear infection a few years ago and my PCP / GP thought that maybe I wasn’t really all that allergic, and prescribed something in the penicillin family. The first day taking it I noticed I was, without even thinking about, starting to scratch at my arms. It was obvious I was having a histamine reaction, so the doctor prescribed a different antibiotic.
I found out the hard way I’m also allergic to the sulfa antibiotics. I had a nasty sinus infection and they prescribed one of the sulfa drugs. I didn’t know what was happening until many days into taking it, when I was complaining to someone that the sinus infection had taken a nasty turn of closing my throat making it hard to breath, and that I also had a horrible rash and it itched like nothing else. I had never experienced a bad allergic reaction before, and didn’t know the signs. I’m lucky they realized what was going on and told me to immediately stop taking the antibiotic.
I haven’t looked into it, but it’s interesting that mbh is also allergic to both penicillin and sulfa drugs. Are the two linked? (Off to Google).
Since both experiences would have taken days to kill me, and I would hope that medical staff would see the signs even if I wasn’t able to communicate, I’ve never thought of getting a medic alert device. Maybe I should. I would definitely opt for a necklace rather than a bracelet, though.
The usual hypothetical is a car wreck that leaves you unconscious. If there is a worry about infection, they might want to give you an antibiotic as a precaution. And penicillin is the most commonly-used antibiotic.
No, but when they want to give you antibiotics, penicillin is their first choice. If you are allergic to that, they try sulfa. If you are allergic to that, they try various forms of mycin.
Assuming they did a real skin test then you are one of the fewwith a reported history of allergy to penicillin who is actually allergic to it. Getting tested was a smart thing to do.
Of the 10% of the population who report a penicillin allergy only one in ten actually are. Of those who are 80% outgrow it over 10 years.
The needless avoidance of penicillin products based on erroneous allergy labels causes significant problems. People end up using other medicines that are not the most appropriate and end up with more problems as a result, and of course more cost.
Good to know. I guess we both lost the genetic lottery in that regard.
I’m not willing to go the tattoo route, but it seems I should probably get a medic alert of some sort. I don’t trust they’ll go through my wallet, so the necklace is probably the best option. Do you have any tips about vendors or options?
That’s basically what my doctor said when he prescribed me something in the penicillin family. At least it’s now confirmed that I’m a 1%er in that regard.
The doctor did make the comment that he wished he’d also told me to take an antihistamine as well, to see if maybe it was just a mild allergy. After my sulfa experience, though, I would rather not risk it.
I’m one of these. In fifth grade I got a rash that was coincident with my taking penicillin for and ear infection. I went for 35 years telling all my doctors that I was allergic and needed something different. Then just last year when I needed a preventative anitbiotic for an accidental cat bite he suggested that since I only had a mild reaction once a long time ago we try putting me on penicillin and see what happens. I took it with no side effects what so ever, and now I can leave it off my medical history.
Can any medical-types here confirm that this is common practice – injecting penicillin as a first-line antibiotic in the case of trauma where infection is a concern? And given that penicillin allergy is not that uncommon, aren’t there any precautions they would take, i.e. prick testing, antihistamines, etc?
sorry to hijack my own thread, but I just thought of something kinda related.
I hate to throw away old food, and have been known to continue eating moldy bread after just cutting off the fuzzy parts (I know this is not a proper solution).
Since penicillin comes from (some) bread molds, could this trigger a reaction in someone who is allergic?
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