How does an allergic reaction to penicillin start? UPDATE post 23 - it's chicken pox!

[lemondog]

My 6yo DD started amoxicillin on Friday due to an ear infection. She has probably only taken it 5 times in her entire life. Beginning yesterday she started breaking out in what looks like little mosquito bites that are very itchy. Today there are more of them...mainly on her front and back, but a few on her legs and arms.

I have looked up chicken pox and it's not those (not to mention she was vaccinated). I am thinking it must be an allergic reaction to the amoxicillin...but the only time I had a reaction to a med I broke out in big huge welts all over, and my brother had a reaction to amoxicillin and ended up in the hospital swollen inside and out...this seems so mild in comparison.

Does this sound like a reaction to you? I didn't give her tonight's dose, just in case, and I am taking her back to the pedi tomorrow to see what they say.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

Even though she got the shot, there is still a possibilty of it being chicken pox. I know first hand even with the shot, you can get chicken pox. It is just normally a very milder form.

 

[KariC]

It does sound like it could be! Especially if there are other family members with it....and remember, everyone's reactions might be different. My 8 month old developed an allergy to amox. this month, and his started out like your daughter's and then became raised welts.

Did you give her some benadryl? That should hekp. And just keep a watch on her breathing, just in case.

Hope she feels better!

ETA - often they'll be worse in "warmer" spots, like neck, groin, knee "pits", etc....is that the same for chicken pox, tho?

 

[goofinoff]

I had a reaction a long time ago to an anti biotic and it started as a breathing problem. I then began vomitting to no end. It was rather scarey!

 

[Pooh Crew]

I think you made the right decision to stop the medicine. You might want to give her some Benadryl, too.

My dd had taken amox. many times. Then one time on day 7 or 8, she complained of itching on her tummy and back. I pretty much blew her off because she was in a leotard going to gymnastics and thought that was the cause. By the end of gym, she had welts that looked like fingers pressing out of her skin! It was horrifying! My ped was close by so I called them and rushed her there. The dr told me we were very lucky and that she was close to having an anaphalactic (sorry for the spelling) reaction. They kept her for a while to make sure she was ok, but she's definitely allergic to all the "cillan" drugs.

 

[taylor1293]

It does sound like a reaction.

I had no problems at all with penicillin until I was 23. I was given it for a respitory infection and by the 2nd or 3rd day...and out of nowhere...I was covered in spots. Especially my back and chest area.

My DD can take penicillin. However, she had a reaction similar to what you are describing to both omnicef and duricef. Dr said it was probably an allergic reaction.

I think that not giving her anymore and seeking the ped's advice is a good idea. Also, keep a close eye on her and if you have some, you may want to give her some Benadryl.

 

[kimluvswdw]

My daughter is allergic to it also. When she had her reaction it was a blotchy, red rash. I know it was itc also. It was mainly on her front and back, but she had a little on her cheeks (both of them lol).

 

[phorsenuf]

Here's a great site with info on all meds. This link is to amoxicillan and lists possible side effects/reactions.

http://www.drugs.com/Amoxicillin_Trihydrate/index.html

 

[marybet]

I would say it is a reaction to the penicillin. Both my son and I had the same type of rash and it occured after several days.

 

[Princess89]

My DD is allergic, and that is her reaction. Not all allergic reactions are the same. I would call the doctor, bring her back in and let the Dr. look at the rash.

 

[MrsPete]

I have MILD reactions to several medicines (penacillin being one of them); the doctor considers my allergies mild because I have no breathing problems.

Anyway, my reactions have been just what you're describing: A rash that starts on my front and back, then moves to my arms and legs the next day. Small pink bumps, not too many the first day and not all that itchy, but a large increase in both number and itch-factor by the second ay. The first time this happened, I blamed it on having worn a new wool jumper the day before -- but then when the rash expanded after the dress was removed, I knew that it was the medicine.

Along with the rash, I've had a slight headache and general yucky feeling, but before the rash becomes evident, I've always explained that away, thinking that it's just the infection/sickness making me feel bad.

 

[NikiM20]

I wasnt allergic to pennicillan until I was 18, I had been on it for a few days then I started getting hives and my throat started swelling

I would put a call in to the pedi's office or the pharmacy

 

[Becky2005]

I haven't read through everything but I would definitely think it could be an allergic reaction.

That is exactly what happened to me when I found out I was allergic to Penicillian...I itched *forever*....it was awful, you were just itchy all the time and it was constant, all over itch.

I had never been allergic to it before, I'm sure I had it as a kid. I took some when pregnant with my oldest DS. I actually didn't have the reaction until I FINISHED the amoxicillian and then I broke out and itched & itched. The doctor thought it was kind of weird due to the timing but I think I lived on Benadryl for a month after that. Since it didn't happen until after the dose was finished we weren't 100% sure if it was an allergy.

About a year later or so, got another infection for something -- different doctor, told them about the "not 100% sure..." so we thought we we would try it, since it was after the full regimin last time and I was pregnant, so could have been some weird thing. Literally 1 dose and within minutes it seemed broke out and had the horrible itching again. THAT definitely confirmed it was an allergic reaction.

 

[ckret01]

That sounds exactly like what happened to me many years ago. My doctor prescribed 500mg of amoxicillin when I was sick and after a day of taking it I started getting these mosquito bites looking things on my arms and shoulders. I didn't know what it was and continued taking the medicine. Well within 24 hour later my entire body was covered in bumps that were so itchy I was tearing my skin. I called my doctor and he said I was allergic to penicillin and to stop taking the amoxicillin. So I did and had to take benadryl to stop the itch and just wait it out for the amoxicillin to leave my body and for the hives to go away.

 

[TrixieBel]

Just adding another YES to the general concensus that the rash is a reaction to the amoxycillan. When I was 17yrs old I had the exact same reaction that everyone else is reporting on here.

Haven't had pennicillan ever again, and I'm almost paranoid about handling it when my kids have had it. My daughter once had some antibiotic ointment that I put on her and I didn't realise that I had some under my fingernail after washing my hands. Well, about 1/2 hr later I got this really itchy patch on my neck and finally worked out that I'd scratched myself there and that the antibiotic had caused the reaction! Now I'm even more paranoid about handling this stuff.

Regards
Jennifer

 

[Claire L]

I agree it sounds like hives from an allergic reaction and you should seek medical advice so that is future a different antibiotic can be given. I developed an allergy at age 29! It runs in my family so no great surprise but it was scary when it happened and I ended up in ER being given antihistamine by iv.

Claire

 

[Disney Ron]

My DS took Amoxicillin in February for the first time. He got no reaction while taking it, but as soon as he took his last dose ...he started waking up with hives. At first we thought he got bit by a spider or something. It continued so I took him to the Dr. and was told this is a very common allergic reaction.
He got good size hives on legs, arms, torso, and a couple on face always after sleeping. Dr. tolds us give him about a week to get the Amoxicillin out of his system and run it's course.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[mla973]

When I had penicillin for the first time as a child, I broke out in hives. And the second time. My doctor than diagnosed my with an "allergy" to it, and I've been listing it on medical forms ever since.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just a suggestion for anyone something like this happens to again since I don't think anyone mentioned it.
Your doctor should have a way to contact someone after hours. A situation like this would be a good reason to call that 'after hours' phone number and actually speak to someone. Depending on the doctor's office/clinic, you may actually get the doctor calling you back or you may get a triage nurse. But, at any rate, you will get some medical input, some further signs to watch for and what signs would be immediate 'go to the ER' signs.
Hope the OP's DD is better today.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Just a suggestion for anyone something like this happens to again since I don't think anyone mentioned it.
Your doctor should have a way to contact someone after hours. A situation like this would be a good reason to call that 'after hours' phone number and actually speak to someone. Depending on the doctor's office/clinic, you may actually get the doctor calling you back or you may get a triage nurse. But, at any rate, you will get some medical input, some further signs to watch for and what signs would be immediate 'go to the ER' signs.
Hope the OP's DD is better today.

Sue, I couldn't agree more. Allergic reactions are nothing to take lightly, since they can be severe with little or no warning.