- Millions may falsely claim penicillin allergy.
- Confusion between allergies and side effects.
- Misdiagnosis affects antibiotic treatment.
Millions of people may mistakenly believe they have a penicillin allergy, which could slow down their recovery from infections, warn chemists.
Around four million people in the United Kingdom have a recorded drug allergy on their medical records, but research suggests that 90% of them are not actually allergic.
According to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, many individuals confuse adverse effects of antibiotics with allergic reactions. Common allergic symptoms include skin itching, a raised rash, and edema. Other symptoms can involve nausea, shortness of breath, coughing, diarrhea, and runny nose.
However, antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections can lead to nausea or diarrhea, and the underlying infection itself can cause a rash. This confusion often leads people to mistakenly believe they are allergic to penicillin, even though penicillin is present in many effective and commonly used antibiotics.
Penicillin allergy misdiagnosis can result in individuals receiving alternative, less effective antibiotics.
“In the year following the administration of a non-penicillin antibiotic to treat an infection, six additional fatalities per thousand patients have been documented.”
Tase Oputu, from the RPS, stated, “Many individuals are at a low or very low risk of having a genuine penicillin allergy, and after careful investigation, we often find that they can take penicillin safely.” She urged anyone in this situation to inquire about their allergy label the next time they visited their physician. A childhood allergy or one reported years ago can also subside and become irrelevant.
Mild to moderate allergic reactions are typically treatable with antihistamines, whereas severe allergic reactions can be fatal.
Examples of allergic reactions include:
- A raised and itchy rash (urticaria, or hives)
- Coughing
- Wheezing and laryngeal constriction, which can cause breathing difficulties. If someone is struggling to breathe, call 999 and administer rescue breathing.
Typical adverse effects of antibiotics include:
- Stomach ache
- Constipation and heartburn
- Diarrhea
Ms. Oputu urged anyone who has had a strong penicillin reaction to get allergy testing and never take it again.
The charity Allergy UK said that many people carry a penicillin allergy label from early childhood without ever being investigated, and there is now a national effort to address this issue and determine the best approach.
Please note that there are often lengthy wait times to see an allergist for a conclusive test. According to experts, the primary method for removing a penicillin allergy label is to accumulate a detailed symptom history, which can be provided to a healthcare professional during a consultation.
