A penicillin allergy recorded in childhood can follow someone for decades. But research suggests up to nine in 10 people with a reported allergy are not allergic when properly assessed.
Australians who have been told they are allergic to penicillin are being encouraged to speak with their GP about whether their allergy needs reassessing.
The National Allergy Council is highlighting how an old allergy record can limit treatment choices, even when the original reaction may have had another cause.
Professor Michaela Lucas, clinical immunology and allergy specialist and co-chair of the council’s Drug Allergy Working Group, said a rash experienced during a childhood illness could sometimes be mistaken for an allergic reaction to antibiotics.
“For many people, a penicillin allergy recorded after symptoms experienced during a childhood illness has followed them throughout their lives,” Professor Lucas said.
A rash may have been caused by the illness itself or another factor. However, that does not mean anyone should ignore a suspected allergy or try taking penicillin without medical advice.
Why an accurate allergy record matters
Penicillin antibiotics are often the preferred treatment for bacterial infections. When an allergy is listed in someone’s medical record, doctors may need to prescribe an alternative.
Knowing whether a person is truly allergic helps doctors choose the most appropriate treatment.
Reported antibiotic allergies are also associated with longer hospital stays, higher readmission rates and greater use of alternative antibiotics. Unnecessary use of these alternatives can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making infections harder to treat.
Start with a conversation with your GP
Your GP can review what happened during the original reaction, including the symptoms and how long ago it occurred, before recommending the next step.
New guidelines from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, developed with the National Allergy Centre of Excellence, support health professionals in assessing reported penicillin allergies.
Some people assessed as having a low risk of a serious reaction may be suitable for a supervised oral penicillin challenge in an appropriately equipped medical setting. This involves taking the antibiotic while trained health professionals monitor for a reaction.
Others may need referral to a specialist allergy service for further assessment.
Do not test a suspected allergy yourself. Only take antibiotics prescribed for you, and continue to tell health professionals about your recorded allergy until it has been formally reviewed.
For more information, visit penicillin.nationalallergycouncil.org.au.