Allergy Relief and Treatment Website

Penicillin is a type of antibiotic that’s derived from the Penicillum fungi.  Its beneficial uses have been around for awhile and for many people, they have proven to save life and health from such conditions as staphylococcus or other bacterial infections.  For others, however Penicillin can prove to be more dangerous than the conditions it’s used to treat. People with penicillin allergy can find themselves in a very uncomfortable or even life-threatening state because of this antibiotic.

People who suffer from penicillin allergy have symptoms including:

•    Rashes
•    Hives
•    Itchy or water eyes
•    Swollen tongue or lips
•    Swelling of the face, hands or feet

Another more severe reaction to penicillin allergy is called anaphylactic shock. Symptoms of anaphylaxis are:
•    Difficulty breathing
•    Vomiting
•    Dizziness
•    Swelling of the lips or tongue
•    Rapid or weak pulse
•    Sudden drop in blood pressure
•    Skin taking on bluish hue
•    Loss of consciousness

In the case of this type of rare reaction to penicillin allergy the sufferer must have medical treatment as soon as possible since anaphylactic reaction can result in death without prompt care. The treatment for this severe reaction is usually an injection of epinephrine.

While anaphylactic reaction isn’t common many milder forms of penicillin allergy are fairly routine.  People who have penicillin allergy often also react to other related antibiotics as well.  Anyone who’s had a reaction to penicillin should avoid these other types of antibiotic as well. These medicines include:
•    Cephalexin
•    Cepfprozil
•    Cefuroxime

Care should be taken and, even if the sufferer had only a mild reaction it’s important that any treating medical profession always be informed of this allergy.
Mild symptoms of penicillin allergy such as rashes, hives, itchy nose or skin, or swelling can be treated with over-the-counter medications, which contain an antihistamine.  Of course, any reaction no matter how mild should be immediately discussed with a doctor and most often a different drug will be prescribed.  Avoiding penicillin or any drugs in the same family of antibiotics is best when dealing with a penicillin allergy.