At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

DD has been coughing for over a week at this point - but has not had a fever at ALL. Dr # 1 (in the practice) originally said that it was a "virus" and she should be better in a few days.

After the few days her cough was worse - Dr. #1 now said that she is getting a sinus infection and it sounded like she has the beginnings of an upper respiratory infection. Put her on a prescription cough med and Augmentin which she has taken before - last time was April 2009

Yesterday after work I noticed her scratching her ankles and she said it felt like bug bites - when I looked at her ankles and legs she had hives ALL OVER THEM

Brought her back to the dr's and he (Dr #2) said that she was having an allergic reaction to the Augmentin - and she is now considered penicillin allergic. Apparently you can become allergic at any point in your life but he said it's usually when you have a hormone shift and with her being 11 years old he told me my little girl is "growing up"

He (Dr. #2) also said that he feels that the other dr's diagnosis of upper respiratory infection isn't accurate - he thinks she has a "touch of walking pneumonia" Now she's on prednisone (steroid) and azithromyicin (Z-pak but liquid) Hopefully that will get her better !! She has such a tough time doing anything these past few days - she has to sit or lay entirely still or she coughs like crazy !! She's having such a crappy week off from school !!

NOTE TO PARENTS - even though they have had penicillin, ammoxicillian, augmentin before and haven't had a reaction - they can become allergic at ANYTIME !!

Re: At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

Hope she is better soon!!

I was in 5th grade when I developed a penicillin allergy- so right around your DD's age. I broke out in the most awful hives.

Re: At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

she's in 5th !! It's kinda nice to hear that it happened to someone else that "late" too !!

Do you know if you're still allergic or have you not been tested since & just avoid it ?

Message edited 2/17/2010 11:59:03 AM.

Re: At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

I have never tried to take it again- I have taken the Z-pack and have been on a few others- I forget which ones, but they worked.

Re: At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

Dr said that if we want when she gets older (25-30) she can probably get tested to see - but he really sees no need because there are so many other antibiotics she can be on now.

I just want her to get better ! It really SUC**S when your "baby" is sick even when she's 11 years old !!!

Re: At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

I didn't become allergic until I was in my 20s. I had amoxycillin and augmentin when I was younger and never had a problem. I was given amoxycillin for a sinus infection a couple of years ago and I broke out in hives that night. I went back to the doc the next day and they said I was allergic.

Re: At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

i became allergic at 15 as well

Re: At 11 years old - my DD is now allergic to Penicillin !!! (LONG)

my dd was 5 when she had her penicillin reaction. and that was after having penicillins MANY times before. My doc told me the same thing. you can have a reaction the first time after having a medicine or the 100th time, who knew??.My ds has been having the same crappy week your dd is having. Hes on a zpac as well for bronchitis and a nebulizer. I hope your dd feels better asap. As for the rash, it should be gone ina couple of days.