Antibiotic allergy: causes, symptoms and how to treat them

Definition

What is an antibiotic allergy?

Antibiotics are drugs to treat bacterial diseases. Unfortunately, some classes of antibiotic drugs can actually trigger an allergic reaction for its users. Allergies occur when the immune system reacts against antibiotics that are considered dangerous.

About 1 in 15 people are allergic to antibiotics, especially those from the penicillin and cephalosporins. Another class of antibiotics with properties similar to penicillin and cephalosporins also has the potential to cause this reaction.

Allergy sufferers usually show symptoms in the form of a rash and swelling on the face shortly after taking the medication. There is also a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis which is characterized by shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness.

Antibiotic drug allergy is fairly common, but keep in mind that this may be related to the use of antibiotics. Therefore, people who experience allergy symptoms need to be diagnosed accurately so that treatment is also appropriate.

If you have proven allergies, there are various treatment options to relieve symptoms. Medication is also useful for preventing recurrence of allergies at a later date.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of an antibiotic allergy?

Drug allergy symptoms can vary from person to person, both in the form and time of appearance. The reaction usually occurs one hour after taking the drug, but there are also rare cases when the reaction occurs after several hours, days, and weeks.

A person who experiences allergies generally shows characteristics such as:

• skin redness and itching (hives),
• swelling of the face, lips, and / or eyes,
• runny nose,
• itchy and watery eyes,
• fever, as well
• breath sounds short or loud (wheezing).

Some people may experience mild symptoms such as itchy skin and red eyes so they don't even realize that this is an allergic reaction. On the other hand, there are also those who experience more severe symptoms such as swelling, shortness of breath, stomach pain, and vomiting.

One of the most characteristic features experienced by sufferers is a rash. These symptoms mainly appear after a person takes amoxicillin, which is a type of antibiotic that is in the same family as penicillin.

The rash caused by amoxicillin can vary depending on the severity. This condition can be experienced by any drug allergy sufferer, but children experience it most often.

Amoxicillin rash is actually harmless and can heal with treatment. However, the amoxicillin rash in children may get worse over time, especially if the condition is not noticed and given proper treatment.

When do you need to see a doctor?

In rare cases, this allergic reaction can progress to anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that affects various body systems and can lead to death if not treated promptly.

Immediately visit the nearest clinic or hospital if you experience the following symptoms after taking antibiotics.

• Swelling of the tongue and throat.
• Sudden hoarseness or difficulty speaking.
• Coughing or loud breathing.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Dizziness or fainting.

You also need to visit your doctor if you often experience certain symptoms after taking antibiotics and you don't know the cause. Follow-up tests can help manage symptoms and prevent the allergy from getting worse.

Cause

What causes antibiotic allergy?

Antibiotic allergy occurs when the immune system reacts against substances contained in antibiotics. The immune system mistakenly recognizes antibiotics as dangerous substances and sends antibodies and various chemicals to eliminate them.

In fact, a normal immune system should only react to germs and foreign substances that are detrimental to health. The immune system should not pay attention to other substances that benefit the body, including antibiotics.

Allergic reactions generally occur when you are taking antibiotics for the first time. Even so, it is possible for this reaction to appear in people who have repeatedly taken the drug without experiencing problems.

Antibiotic drugs that can trigger allergies

Not all antibiotics trigger allergic reactions. Among all the types, beta-lactam class antibiotics such as the penicillin class were reported to cause the most frequent reactions.

In general, here is a list of antibiotics that can trigger an allergic reaction.

• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
• Dicloxacillin
• Nafcillin
• Oxacillin
• Penicillin G
• Penicillin V
• Piperacillin
• Ticarcillin

Some people who are allergic to penicillin are also allergic to other antibiotics that contain similar ingredients. Examples such as the following cephalosporins.

• Cefaclor
• Cefadroxil
• Cefazolin
• Cefdinir
• Cefotetan
• Cefprozil

Who is at risk of having an antibiotic allergy?

Anyone can develop a drug allergy, including to antibiotics. The exact cause is unknown, but there are several factors that can increase the risk, namely:

• Genetic. If a close family member has an antibiotic allergy, you are at risk of developing the same condition.
• Have had drug hypersensitivity. This condition can increase your risk of having an allergy to other drugs, including antibiotics.
• Have experienced drug interactions. If you have experienced interactions with other drugs, you may also be allergic to antibiotics.

Medicine and medication

How do you diagnose a drug allergy?

Many people do not know that they are allergic to antibiotics even though they already have a series of symptoms. The best way to be sure is to see a doctor.

The doctor will first carry out a physical examination and ask questions about symptoms, the types of drugs being taken, and the habits of taking medication. These questions are important clues to help the doctor make a diagnosis.

After that, usually the doctor will recommend a further allergy test in the form of a skin prick test (skin prick test) and blood tests. An allergy test is an accurate way to find out if you have an allergy to antibiotics or not.

Treatment options available

The main treatment for antibiotic allergy is to immediately stop taking the drug. Meanwhile, to treat the symptoms that appear, you can apply the following methods:

1. Take allergy medication

Doctors generally recommend taking allergy medications to relieve recurrent symptoms. The earliest recommended allergy medication is probably an antihistamine in the form of diphenhydramine or cetirizine.

In addition, doctors can also prescribe corticosteroid drugs by mouth or by injection to treat inflammation due to allergic reactions. Unlike the antihistamines that can be purchased, the use of corticosteroids must be based on doctor's advice and supervision.

2. Epinephrine injection

Epinephrine injections are first aid for a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This drug works by restoring the body's systems due to the effects of histamine. Histamine is a chemical that plays a role in allergic reactions.

Keep in mind that epinephrine injections only treat anaphylaxis and prevent it from getting worse. The reaction can still appear hours later, so allergy sufferers should still get medical help.

3. Desensitization

Desensitization is not a way to relieve allergies, but rather a therapy that aims to suppress the immune system's response to allergens. So, your body no longer overreacts when taking antibiotics.

You will be asked to take a small dose of antibiotics every 15-30 minutes for several hours or days. If at a certain dose there is no allergic reaction, the dose is considered a safe limit if you want to take antibiotics.

Antibiotic allergy is a form of drug allergy. Like other types of allergies, this condition causes a number of symptoms that can get worse if not treated quickly.

Don't hesitate to ask your doctor if you think you experience any symptoms after taking antibiotics. The reason is, proper examination and diagnosis will guide you towards appropriate treatment.