Penecillin allergy

[Green-Moo]

My dentist has told me that I'm likely to have a penecillin allergy, based on increasingly serious symptoms I've displayed over the years when I've taken doctor prescribed antibiotics. I've mentioned to the doctor and he now takes pains to offer me medicines which don't make me ill, but he's not suggested any tests to prove or disprove the allergy theory. I'm a bit concerned that I ought to find out one way or the other though.

[Calypso]

If you have symptoms when you take penicillin, it's safe to assume you have an allergy, or at the very least a sensitivity, to the medication. Better to avoid it altogether. There are so many good antibiotics on the market today that not being able to take penicillin is nowhere near the disadvantage it once was.

[Green-Moo]

Thanks for that reply Calypso. I think my concern is really that if I was involved in an emergency of some sort they might pump me full of something penecillin based. I'm told that reactions can get worse over time, and last time I had breathing difficulties.

On a day to day basis it doesn't cause a problem as I just avoid anything penecillin based. The synthetic versions also make me ill, so normally I just avoid antibiotics full stop.

Is there a chance that an allergy / sensitivity like this be hereditory?

Thanks.

[tater03]

Yes, years ago I broke out in a mile case of hives when taking penicillin and no doctor will now let me even get near it. The only thing I hate is it seems that other antibiotics seem to cost more.

[riskey58]

I am allergic to penicillin. Found this out when I was a kid. So when I do always tell them this, and they make sure that they give me something else.

[mollyL]

If you look online, you can find necklaces that state "Allergic to Penicillin" on them. Any emergency and the medical folk will see it and take note. You can find necklaces for just about any allergy. It's a really good idea for anyone with an allergy problem to wear them.

[Green-Moo]

Yes, my dentist advised that I get an allergy bracelet for in case of emergencies.

I suppose I am just annoyed that my doctor doesn't seem in the slightest bit concerned.

[mollyL]

The way it is supposed to be done, in clinics, is that the nurse is supposed to ask you if you are allergic to any meds. If you say you are, she is supposed to get a big bright red or orange sticker that says ALLERGY, and put it on the front of your chart so anybody can see you are allergic to penicillin. Your doctor sounds a bit too casual about a really important thing, in my opinion.