is this an allergy to antibiotics.?

Question

whilst taking my second course of antibiotics, i came out in what looks like hives. The information leaflet said this was one of the side affects., but i finished the course four days ago and im still suffering with this. I havent changed soap, washing powder of anything else. Does anyone know how long this will last

Answer 1

This is probably an allergy to the antibiotics (was it penicillin?) and you should not treat it lightly - you must report this to your GP who will decide if it is indeed an allergy. It is important that this be logged as, if you were to be prescribed this again, it could result in an anaphylactic shock which is very serious indeed. So please call your GP for an appointment to have the hives looked at.

Answer 2

Yes, hives are considered to indicate a sensitivity to an antibiotic. When they appeared you should have called the doctor, and he would have changed your antibiotics. That aside, you can take an antihistamine like Benadryl, which are normally used for allergies. They will likely make you slightly drowsy, but they will help settle the immune response and the hives should fade over a day or so. If they don't start to fade, you will need to revisit the doctor for a jab of Benadryl in a higher dosage. In the future, do not take that medication again. The hives were a mild allergic reaction, and the next time you may not be so fortunate. Tell the doctor that it caused hives, and have it documented on your medical record as a drug allergy. Drug allergies and sensitivities can be critical matters to your health and well being, so don't just brush it aside.

Answer 3

Yes! I always get hives on certain antibiotics, and it usually starts the last day I take them, well into 5 days after. Definitely tell your doctor and never take that antibiotic again. I repeated a course of an antibiotic that I was allergic to and I had a severe allergic reaction so be careful!

Answer 4

Your story illustrates one very good reason why people should NOT be prescribed antibiotics for a cold. Colds are viral, so antibiotics do NOTHING. Your doctor needs to be slapped. Colds resolve on their own. You experienced a potentially life threatening reaction to a medication that did nothing to help you. Find a new doctor. Don't ever take antibiotics for a cold. All you are doing is exposing yourself to risk, and contributing to the public health problem of selecting for resistant bacteria.

Answer 5

Most likely an allergy but get your GP to confirm this asap.

Your GP may be able to prescribe an anti-histamine topical cream to reduce the effects.

I was found to be allergic to one strain of penicillin when I was in my early teens and I've been taking -cyclines ever since.

About ten years ago, my GP re-prescribed penicillin, stating that I was probably only allergic to one strain.

I've been tested on several occasions with different strains and it seems I am allergic to quite a wide range of penicillin.

Apart from the visual effect of this antibiotic, you must be feeling a bit itchy and that cannot be pleasant.

Besides, if your body is fighting the effects of the AB by pushing histamine into your system, it cannot have much left to continue fighting whatever you had in the first place.

Either you were given the wrong antibiotic (i.e. you're allergic) or you were prescribed too strong a dose.

Answer 6

It may well be an antibiotic allergy. Another important question is why on earth have you been put on 2 consecutive course of antibiotics. This is seldom the correct management. Discuss with your GP.

Answer 7

Definetly a reaction,but it doesn't sound like a serious one. As said before you should probably go to your GP, but if that is not something you want to do and you have no other symptoms such as swelling (mouth, neck,or tongue) you could go to a chemist and ask for advice. They will probably offer you something like Piriton which is an antihistamine. This is probably what your Gp will prescribe anyway. You do need to let your Gp know that you had a reaction to this drug though as it will need to be noted on your records.

Answer 8

Sounds like it to me, had a similar thing happen on Cephradine, it itched like crazy. Try taking an anti-histamine it should help with the irritation also tell your Doctor, you may need to avoid that particular antibiotic from now on.

Answer 9

Just in case, you should report it to your doc, because if you are prescribed antibiotics again, the reaction could be MUCH worse, this could be just the start.
Of course it could be nothing to do with it, but better safe than sorry, etc

Answer 10

I have Acute Anaphylaxis multiple drugs allergies, antibiotics being one of them. Do see your G P as he or she needs to know. Best to be safe allergies can be life threatning, i go into shock with them so i carry EpiPens auto-injector every where with me. Dont mean to be an alarmist,but you need to check it out in case you need antibiotics again.