Millions of people falsely believe they are allergic to penicillin, causing delays in recovering from infections, according to pharmacists. Research suggests that 90% of the approximately four million people with a penicillin allergy listed on their medical record are not actually allergic. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society explains that many people mistake side-effects of antibiotics for an allergic reaction, such as nausea, breathlessness, coughing, diarrhea, and a runny nose. Antibiotics themselves can cause these symptoms, and the underlying infection can also lead to a rash, leading people to mistakenly believe they are allergic to penicillin. This can be problematic as people labeled as allergic are then given less effective second-choice antibiotics. Previous research has shown that there were six additional deaths per 1,000 patients after receiving a non-penicillin antibiotic to treat an infection. Tase Oputu from the RPS urges those who believe they have a penicillin allergy to ask questions about their label from their pharmacist during their GP visit. Childhood allergies or those reported many years ago can often settle down and no longer be an issue. Mild to moderate allergic reactions can generally be treated with antihistamines. Common side-effects of antibiotics include nausea, bloating, indigestion, and diarrhea. Individuals who have experienced severe reactions in the past may need allergy testing and may be advised to avoid penicillin altogether. Allergy UK notes that many people carry a penicillin allergy label from childhood without ever being investigated. Efforts are now being made to address this issue and find the best approach to removing the label. While there may be long waiting times to see a specialist allergist for definitive testing, a detailed history of symptoms can be compiled and presented to a healthcare specialist during a consultation as an alternative method of removing the penicillin allergy label.
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