Different Symptoms of Penicillin Allergy

Penicillin is a generic class of antibiotics that are under the beta lactams. It acts as both bacteriostatic and bactericidal, inhibiting bacterial growth and reproduction and killing the bacteria through invading its cell membrane. It kills bacteria during their reproductive stage. It is indicated for pneumococcal, gonococcal ,streptococcal infections and also those that is caused by some clostridiums and spirochetes like tetanus and syphilis. It is the most common drug of choice for pediatric infections, septic shocks and many more.

Though penicillin provides therapeutic effects, one of its very dangerous adverse effect is severe allergic reaction that affects the body generally. In most cases where penicillin sodium id indicated, skin test is first practiced. 0.1 ml Penicillin is added to 0.9 ml distilled water for injection and is injected intradermally at the forearm, forming a wheal about 1-2 mm in size. When this wheal enlarges after 30 minutes, or if inflammation and itchiness is experienced, the patient should not be given intravenous doses or any form of penicillin.

About 10 % of patients in the United States report an allergic effect of penicillin or any drug with the same derivative. Though in some skin tests performed, less than 10 % of these patients exhibited true signs of penicillin allergy. Its prevalence affects any age group but occurs more often in women than in men.

Allergy to Penicillin

When a person is attacked by penicillin allergy, he or she might experience symptoms same with other kinds of allergies.  The most common symptom is rashes or hives that can be elevated or flat and are extremely itchy and irritating. Intake of oral drugs related to penicillin may take a longer time before an allergic reaction appears. Skin test is usually required in IV drugs because anaphylactic reaction may take place in a matter of minutes and may involve all organs in the body.

Persons with bronchial asthma may be very vulnerable to this form of allergy. Disorders in the immune system such as hypersensitivity are mostly due to genetics. Assessment then of possible heredofamilial disease in both parents is a must when dealing with allergy patients.

Penicillin allergy attack may also have the same symptoms as of bronchial asthma. Difficulty of breathing and chest tightness might be evident in the patient. Generalized rash is very common. Wheezing is sometimes present during exhalation due to the inflammation of the bronchial airway as an inflammatory response, generally against penicillin. Serum sickness may also be present. Anemia may also be evident in laboratory testing. Eosinophils may also be elevated in blood counts.

During penicillin allergy attack, antihistamines are usually gives. These drugs prevent the production and attachment of histamines in the cells that may provoke further inflammatory processes. Mild allergic reaction to penicillin might involve only the body’s integument. In more severe cases, it may also involve gastrointestinal and cardiopulmonary which is very fatal and may even cause death. Epinephrine, as a potent vasoconstrictor, is already indicated in extreme cases of allergic shock. It allows increased cardiac stroke volume and decreases bronchial inflammation to allow increased oxygen in the body during shock.

Allergy to penicillin may be a sign of hypersensitivity to cephalosporins too. Allergic reactions to this type of drugs may have the same symptoms as of penicillin and may also be life-threatening in cases where speedy administration is given.

When treatment is best with penicillin, some allergists allow the intake of the drug in a gradually increasing manner. The allergist may administer a small amount if drug initially, increasing as hours pass, until the highest therapeutic does safe for the patient is determined. Close monitoring is very essential when this is practiced since the patient may experience shock in a matter of minutes.