What is a penicillin allergy?
The resulting allergy to penicillin is explained by the fact that drugs from this group have a high molecular weight and a complex structure of all molecules.
Penicillins were the very first antibiotics invented and that is why, along with their effectiveness, they also have an increased negative effect on the human body.
The probability of developing an allergy after administration or oral use of a drug from the penicillin group reaches 29%.
But you need to know that the appearance of various changes in well-being after oral or intramuscular administration of penicillins is not always explained by a specific immune reaction.
Sometimes developing symptoms of deterioration in health occur due to side effects of the drug. In these cases, such phenomena may go away on their own.
An allergy to penicillin can manifest itself as a violent or smoothed reaction of the body.
In the first case, medical assistance should be provided as early as possible.
With the gradual development of allergies, symptoms will increase if treatment with an allergenic medicine is continued.
In order to prevent a serious negative effect of penicillins on the body, it is necessary to warn your doctor about all disturbing signs that appear while taking the drug.
If you are allergic to penicillin, there is a high probability of developing intolerance to other types of antibiotics.
Cross-reaction with cephalosporins is often observed. This fact must be taken into account by the doctor when replacing one antibacterial drug with another.
Treatment of pregnant women
During pregnancy, an allergy to Amoxiclav occurs extremely rarely, since during this period women try not to be prescribed potent drugs. However, you should know what will help get rid of the symptoms of the reaction and will not harm the expectant mother and baby.
During this important time for a woman, most antihistamines are prohibited for use, and even drugs that are non-toxic to the fetus must be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor. Anti-allergenic drugs approved during pregnancy include:
- "Suprastin". It is not recommended to prescribe this remedy in the first or third trimester.
- Zyrtec. Relieves the symptoms of bronchial asthma, but is not allowed for use in the first 12 weeks.
- "Telfast", "Erius", "Diazolin", "Claritin", are allowed for use in the third trimester.
Causes of the disease
One of the main reasons for an allergic reaction to penicillin is an inadequate response of the immune system to foreign proteins.
Provoking factors can also contribute to the development of antibiotic intolerance:
- Increased sensitivity of the body to various allergens;
- Administration of penicillin against the background of an allergic reaction to other types of allergens;
- General weakened immune system.
Penicillin should be used with caution if there have previously been hypersensitivity reactions to it.
Such patients are preliminarily recommended to conduct skin tests or select other antibacterial agents.
Symptoms
An allergy to penicillin usually does not occur the first time you use this medication.
A period of sensitization is required to trigger a specific immune response.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to this type of antibiotic can be divided into systemic, that is, affecting the entire body as a whole, and local, expressed by certain changes in several organs.
The severity of all signs does not depend on the dose of the allergen; it can be minimal with a violent reaction of the body and maximum with the development of minor manifestations of hypersensitivity.
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The most common symptoms in a person with penicillin intolerance include:
- Skin symptoms. Penicillin allergy rashes of various types occur in most people.
- Jaundice, that is, a change in the color of the skin of the sclera to a yellowish color. The occurrence of this symptom is explained by the breakdown of red blood cells.
- Swelling of soft tissues and mucous membranes.
- Anaphylactic shock.
An allergy to penicillin on the skin can manifest itself in different types of rashes. Some people develop hyperemic spots, blisters, and pinpoint rashes.
Sometimes blisters form with peeling of the upper layer of the epidermis.
Skin rashes are accompanied by severe itching, which causes scratching and increases the likelihood of infection.
With intolerance to penicillin antibiotics, angioedema often develops with signs of suffocation.
A fatal outcome cannot be ruled out in the event of instantly developing anaphylactic shock and epidermal necrolysis.
Symptoms of a penicillin allergy gradually disappear after stopping the medication for a few days.
If the same antibiotic is re-prescribed, the allergy to penicillin is more likely to reappear.
Biosynthetic forms
As an example, it is worth citing several of the currently most common medications that correspond to this group. Probably the most famous of the penicillins can be considered “Bicillin-3” and “Bicillin-5”. They discovered a group of natural antibiotics and were the leaders in their category until more advanced forms of antimicrobial drugs appeared.
- "Extencillin." The instructions for use state that it is a long-acting beta-lactam antibiotic. Indications for its use are exacerbations of rheumatic disease and diseases caused by treponemes (syphilis, yaws and pinta). Available in powders. "Extencillin" instructions for use do not recommend combining it with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as a competitive interaction is possible. This may negatively affect the effectiveness of treatment.
- "Penicillin-V" belongs to the group of phenoxymethylpenicillins. It is used to treat infectious diseases of the ENT organs, skin and mucous membranes, gonorrhea, syphilis, tetanus. It is used as a preventive measure after surgery, to maintain remission in rheumatism, chorea minor, and bacterial endocarditis.
- The antibiotic "Ospen" is an analogue of the previous drug. It is available in the form of tablets or granules. It is not recommended to combine with NSAIDs and oral contraceptives. Often used in the treatment of childhood diseases.
How to treat
Identification of an allergy to penicillin requires immediate discontinuation of the drug.
Further treatment tactics depend on the manifestations of the intolerance reaction.
- In mild forms of an allergic reaction, Tavegil and Suprastin can be administered intramuscularly. The disease is treated orally with Loratadine, Fexofenadine.
- For Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock, rapid administration of Epinephrine is indicated. If this drug is not available, then Prednisolone or Dexamethasone is administered.
- Skin rashes are eliminated with ointments. For mild forms, ointments with anti-inflammatory and antihistamine components will be sufficient. In case of severe, increasing skin reactions, it is necessary to use ointments with glucocorticosteroids for a short course.
Due to the possibility of developing severe allergic reactions to the administration of penicillin, intravenous and intramuscular injections of drugs from this series are recommended only in medical institutions.
After the injection, you must be under staff supervision for at least 30 minutes.
If any changes in well-being occur during treatment with penicillins at home, you need to pay attention to this and, if they increase, immediately call an ambulance.
Prevention
The only 100% method of prevention is not to take the drug. To do this, you should follow some recommendations from experts:
- Tell your healthcare professional if you are allergic to penicillin. If he doesn’t ask, be sure to say so, or better yet, make sure that there is a corresponding entry in the medical records.
- Special bracelet. It is advisable to have such an accessory with you. It displays basic information about human health, including allergic reactions.
- Buy an adrenaline auto-injector. This is especially true if the allergy occurs in a severe stage and can lead to dire consequences. The injector is usually recommended by your doctor. He must teach you how to use it.
How to replace penicillin
If it is impossible to use penicillin, antibiotics from other groups are selected. But remember that allergies to antibiotics are not uncommon and can occur to many types of drugs. It can appear suddenly and lead to irreversible consequences.
Aminoglycosides, macrolides and sulfonamides are safer. But these drugs must also be selected together with a doctor.
The likelihood of allergic reactions to antibiotics can be reduced by the correct use of these medications.
Antibacterial therapy is not indicated in all cases; only a doctor can determine the advisability of its use.
People without special education sometimes independently choose antibiotics without the need to use them, and thereby greatly increase the risk of developing all kinds of unwanted reactions and complications.
Possible complications
When antibiotics are prescribed, an allergy to penicillin is quite common. Despite the fact that it can occur in every third person, there are some factors that can significantly increase the likelihood of its occurrence:
- allergies to other drugs;
- frequent use of penicillin or high doses;
- allergies to food and other types;
- high sensitivity to drugs in relatives;
- the presence of certain types of diseases.
Allergy to penicillin in a child
In children, an allergy to penicillin manifests itself with almost the same symptoms as in adults. But in babies, the body’s reaction can be very violent and rapidly developing.
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When a doctor prescribes penicillin antibiotics to treat a child, you must always observe their dosage, frequency of administration or oral administration.
At the slightest sign of hypersensitivity of the body, it is necessary to discontinue the drug, further action is necessary according to the circumstances.
If allergy symptoms are difficult to tolerate and increase, then give an antihistamine in an age-appropriate dosage and immediately call an ambulance.
If a minor rash appears after taking the drug, you should notify your doctor and get recommendations about replacing penicillin with another antibacterial drug.
When to see a doctor
As soon as a person notices unusual changes in his body or a deterioration in his health after taking an antibiotic, experts recommend not to hesitate and immediately go to the hospital. If you are allergic to penicillin, the consequences can be very different, even death.
There is no need to risk your own health and hope that everything will go away on its own. Only a specialist can correctly assess the situation and make the right decision.
