Penicillin Allergy Testing
Do you think you are allergic to penicillin? Chances are, you are not truly allergic.
9 out of 10 patients who claim a penicillin allergy are not really allergic and can safely take penicillin and related antibiotics that may not have been previously considered.
People are mistakenly thought to be allergic to Penicillin for many reasons, the most common are:
- Symptom Confusion
A rash, originally thought to be from penicillin, may have been caused by the current illness and not the penicillin antibiotic. Many diseases cause rashes and other symptoms that are often confused with an allergy.
- Immune System Changes
Many patients outgrow allergies as their immune system develops, so even if you were once truly allergic, you may not be now.
- Side Effects from Medications
Medications can sometimes cause people to not feel well, have an upset stomach and other discomforts that may seem like an allergy when they are just side effects.
The ONLY way to know if you are truly Penicillin Allergic is to be tested. Drug allergy can be serious and it is important to know for sure. An allergy to penicillin-type drugs is the only one that can be diagnosed through an allergy skin test - which we can perform here in clinic. You will receive your results immediately following the test.
WHY DOES IT MATTER IF I AM ALLERGIC TO PENICILLIN?
For many illnesses, penicillin is the best treatment option available.
Penicillin is less expensive than other drugs and may be available at no cost at your local pharmacy
Alternatives to penicillin can contribute to the problem of drug resistance (aka Super Bugs) which may make antibiotics less effective in the future
WHAT CAN I DO IF I THINK I AM ALLERGIC?
Call us today 503-513-8693 to schedule a Penicillin Allergy Test. The test only takes 1 hour, and you will have your results immediately.