Penicillin Allergy Testing safe?
Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 8:17 pm
This will possibly sound like a paranoid question, but I fully admit to my PTSD and obsessive fear of C Diff post recovery!, so here goes...
I had C Diff 4 times, and ended up with a successful first time FMT in March 2017. I have been OK since except some IBS.
I developed it after I was prescribed Clindamycin for a gum infection by my dentist because I can't take Penicillin antibiotics because I am "supposedly" Penicillin allergic.
So, Clindamycin is the drug dentists seem to always prescribe as the alternative in Penicillin allergic patients.
When I was 11 years old I went through allergy testing due to seasonal allergies to trees/grass/etc, and the doctor did a penicillin test. He said based on the size of my reaction to the skin test I was allergic. I had taken Penicillin/Ampicillin throughout my entire childhood multiple times with no reaction. However, from that point forward my parents and then me in adulthood have told all doctors and dentists I am allergic.
I have read recently that even for people who have had a Penicillin reaction, that after 10 years they may be OK to take it.
I NEED to know if that family of antibiotics is an option for me since I am at risk for C Diff. I have lots of dental problems, have had 2 root canals, 5 crowns, etc, and am only 46. My greatest fear is needing an antibiotic for a dental problem, not other medical problem.
So, my question is - will a Penicillin skin test by an allergist expose me to enough antibiotic to damage my gut flora or risk C Diff recurrence?
I am assuming some is injected transdermally to do the skin test. But don't know much more than that. I know you guys don't give direct medical advice, but does anyone know anything about this or has anyone ever heard if this could be a risk for someone with my C Diff history? My PCP has told me I SHOULD do the test, and the nurse at my GI doc's office said I should go with the assumption I am allergic and didn't know if it would be risk for me or not. Thanks! - Melanie
I had C Diff 4 times, and ended up with a successful first time FMT in March 2017. I have been OK since except some IBS.
I developed it after I was prescribed Clindamycin for a gum infection by my dentist because I can't take Penicillin antibiotics because I am "supposedly" Penicillin allergic.
So, Clindamycin is the drug dentists seem to always prescribe as the alternative in Penicillin allergic patients.
When I was 11 years old I went through allergy testing due to seasonal allergies to trees/grass/etc, and the doctor did a penicillin test. He said based on the size of my reaction to the skin test I was allergic. I had taken Penicillin/Ampicillin throughout my entire childhood multiple times with no reaction. However, from that point forward my parents and then me in adulthood have told all doctors and dentists I am allergic.
I have read recently that even for people who have had a Penicillin reaction, that after 10 years they may be OK to take it.
I NEED to know if that family of antibiotics is an option for me since I am at risk for C Diff. I have lots of dental problems, have had 2 root canals, 5 crowns, etc, and am only 46. My greatest fear is needing an antibiotic for a dental problem, not other medical problem.
So, my question is - will a Penicillin skin test by an allergist expose me to enough antibiotic to damage my gut flora or risk C Diff recurrence?
I am assuming some is injected transdermally to do the skin test. But don't know much more than that. I know you guys don't give direct medical advice, but does anyone know anything about this or has anyone ever heard if this could be a risk for someone with my C Diff history? My PCP has told me I SHOULD do the test, and the nurse at my GI doc's office said I should go with the assumption I am allergic and didn't know if it would be risk for me or not. Thanks! - Melanie