09/25/2023
With coming up on Thursday, September 28th, it is important for us to take the time to recognize the facts! Penicillin is the MOST COMMON drug allergy, and a true penicillin allergy is serious- killing about 400 people A YEAR. About 10% of all US patients report having an allergic reaction to a penicillin-based antibiotic in their past, but when formally evaluated by an allergist, 9/10 of those patients are not actually allergic! 80% of patients with a penicillin allergy lose their sensitivity after 10 years, which is why many people who have an allergic reaction in childhood are not actually allergic as an adult. If you believe that you have a penicillin allergy, do not hesitate to see a board-certified allergist for testing, as avoiding penicillin and related medications may be less effective when treating infections. Testing involves a series of skin prick tests, and/or an oral challenge to completely rule out the allergy. If you do end up being allergic to penicillin, your physician will discuss an emergency plan with you, as well as what medications to take/avoid in the future!
