Penicillin rashes or allergies to penicillin are a reaction certain individuals have when they take this antibiotic and others in it's family. Once you know if you have an allergic reaction , be sure to add this to you records when you see any specialist, dentist or physician's assistant. When you go to a walk-in clinic this is also important information to provide.

A reaction to penicillin may not lead to an immediate rash but can occur a few days into taking the medication. Immediately call your doctor or your child's pediatrician to discuss this. Because there is probably an infection in your system, you'll need to take some medication to treat it. There are other classes of antibiotics that your doctor will discuss with you that will be more appropriate and still treat the underlying condition. However, in the future you won't be able to take this medication and it often is one of the first ones prescribed for various bacterial problems. For instance, amoxicillin and ampicillin are in the same class of antibiotics.

Though a rash can be one symptom, you need to also be alert to whether there are any breathing complications that are also

present. This can be serious and may need immediate attention from a doctor or by heading to the emergency room. Tightness

in the chest or the closing of the airways should not be ignored. Anaphylactic shock is not something to take lightly.

The rash itself to penicillin can have swelling accompanying it. You can have certain immunoglobulin antibodies that are the issue in your system.It can be very itchy and may look like hives or red patches. It is also possible that the rash is due to mixing it with another medication which causes a conflict. The rash symptoms can go down with antihistamines as well as cortisone creams if it's mild. Drug rashes may not leave your system immediately so don't be alarmed if it continues past the duration of the illness itself.

Remember that having strep throat or an infection that warrants a medication means that you shouldn't just stop taking your antibiotic and think the infection will heal on it's own. You'll be able to get a substitute medication to fight your infection. If you suffer from a severe penicillin rash or allergy, be sure to keep a piece of paper next to your insurance card in your wallet. This way if you ever have to go to the hospital or emergency room, family members and hospital staff will be aware of the allergy and not prescribe this class of drugs.