To add insult to injury, my seasonal congestion turned into a sinus infection this fall – And after ten days of symptoms, I was prescribed a round of antibiotics from my local urgent care.
Since breaking out in hives while taking Amoxicillin as a kid, I grew up under the impression that I was allergic to that class of antibiotics. For years, my doctors recommended Zithromax over Penicillin without hesitation.
And I was in good company – According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, approximately 10% of Americans are labeled as having a Penicillin allergy.
But new research suggests that Penicillin allergies have been historically over-diagnosed, and the genuine rate of the allergy is closer to 1% of the U.S. population.
What has led to 9 out of every 100 American to have a false Penicillin allergy? Dr. Sandy Durrani of Cincinnati Children’s offers a few possible explanations:
- Rashes and hives are often misinterpreted as an allergic reaction to the medication, when “in reality, most commonly it is a virus” causing those symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms – A common side effect of antibiotic medications – can also be misinterpreted as an allergic reaction.
- A family history of Penicillin allergies can contribute to the misdiagnosis of this allergy.
Once “Penicillin Allergy” is added to someone’s medical chart, it is rarely challenged or reevaluated – Despite research that suggests 90% of individuals with a genuine Penicillin allergy will outgrow it within 10 years.
Healthcare professionals are hoping to raise more awareness of this public health issue because the alternative antibiotic prescriptions are often less effective, more expensive, and accompanied by worse side effects.
To determine if you have a genuine Penicillin allergy, an allergist can preform a skin prick and/or oral food challenge (OFC) to help make the proper diagnosis.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital also offers a Penicillin Allergy Decision & Mobile Empowerment (PADME) virtual risk assessment tool through their Pediatric Antibiotic Testing Service, which can provide further insight into the likelihood of an allergy.
At my allergist appointment in 2021, Chicago Family Allergy & Asthma found that I was indeed one of the 90-95% of patients who were unnecessarily avoiding Penicillin products. I have since taken two rounds of the medication without issue.
The first prescription of Amoxicillin was rightfully blocked by my pharmacy, given that “Penicillin Allergy” was still listed in my chart – But with a quick update to my medical history, I’m now treating my sinus infections with the best antibiotic on the market.
Three cheers for modern medicine!
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post is for educational purposes only, and should not be substituted for medical advice. Please consult with your doctor for more information.
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