Which comes first: Self-reported penicillin allergy or chronic hives?
New study has shown a strong association between the two conditions.
People who have self-reported penicillin allergy may have a three times greater chance of suffering from chronic hives. And people who have chronic hives tend to self-report penicillin allergy at a three times greater rate than the general population. Coincidence? Authors of a new study think not.
The study examined medical records of 11,143 patients seen at the University of Pennsylvania Health System Allergy-Immunology Clinic. Of those, 220 were identified as having both self-reported penicillin allergy and chronic urticaria (hives).
“We wanted to know if there was a correlation between self-reported penicillin allergy and chronic urticaria,” said lead author and allergist Susanna Silverman, MD. “We found higher than expected incidence compared to the general population, and we wondered if some patients who believed they had penicillin allergy might actually have chronic urticaria.” Chronic urticaria is defined as hives – with or without swelling – that are present either continuously, or off and on, for longer than six weeks.
Many people have had an unfavorable response to penicillin – such as hives or swelling – at some point in their lives and are told they are allergic. Most have never seen an allergist and have never been tested for penicillin allergy. They are labeled “penicillin-allergic” on their medical history, and are given alternative antibiotics for infections.
“It’s important for anyone who thinks they have a penicillin allergy to be tested by an allergist,” said allergist and study author Andrea Apter, MD. “If testing finds that someone with chronic urticaria and self-reported penicillin allergy isn’t allergic to penicillin, it may be that their hives are simply due to chronic urticaria, or they may be more prone to rashes and hives throughout their lives, possibly due to increased skin sensitivity.”
Allergists are experts in diagnosing and treating hives, and are trained to look for triggers. An allergist may recommend medications to prevent the hives or reduce the severity of symptoms. Whether the treatment is available only by prescription or over the counter will depend on several factors, including how uncomfortable the hives are making you.
Reference:
“Association between chronic urticaria and self-reported penicillin allergy,” Susanna Silverman, Russell Localio, Andrea J. Apter, the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, January 09, 2016
This article originally appeared on Dr. Galland’s website, PillAdvised.
