Unverified penicillin allergy is recognized as a significant public health problem. Up to 10 percent of the population report being allergic to penicillin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  However, most of those may actually be able to safely use penicillin, either because they never were truly allergic or because they have lost sensitivity over time.

For those who think they are allergic to penicillin, it is important to either confirm the allergy or correctly identify if you can safely take this drug. 9 out of 10 patients reporting penicillin allergy are not truly allergic when assessed by skin testing. Unnecessarily avoiding penicillin leads to higher drug costs for patients and healthcare systems, limited and possibly inferior medical treatments, and possible antibiotic resistance.

What you need to know:

-True penicillin allergy is serious, even life-threatening. Someone with a confirmed penicillin allergy should avoid the entire medication group which includes 15 chemically related drugs.  Ask your physician if you should be prescribed injectable epinephrine, the only treatment that will stop anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially fatal, allergic reaction. 

–A reaction to penicillin as a child does not automatically mean you will react as an adult.  Penicillin allergy is not necessarily a life-long condition.  It is best to get tested to confirm.

–Symptoms of penicillin allergy may include hives, swelling of the mouth or throat, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.  Hives are often confused with skin rashes that are non-allergy related. Since it may be difficult to tell the difference, and you can’t always get to a doctor right away, take a photograph of the rash to help with the diagnosis.

–Alternative antibiotics to penicillin may be less effective in treating your infection, may cause unwanted side effects, or maybe more expensive. Don’t limit your treatment options if it isn’t necessary.

–Penicillin allergy testing is safe and reliable. The patient undergoes a series of skin prick tests, with gradually increased amounts of penicillin. A raised bump, or wheal, at the site of the prick, indicates an allergy. If the tests are negative, the next step is an oral challenge to confirm the patient can safely take this drug. These tests should always be conducted by a board-certified allergist trained to recognize and treat potential allergic reactions.

Penicillin allergy testing is available at all AllergySA locations. To schedule an appointment, call 210-616-0882.

Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases

Are you feeling a slight sniffle, cough or headache? This winter brings an extra layer of worry for mountain cedar sufferers as they try to decipher the difference between mountain cedar allergies and COVID-19.

The CDC has shared this helpful Venn diagram showing the differences and similarities of seasonal allergies to COVID-19. The biggest difference is that COVID-19 may cause: fever, chills, body aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea while seasonal allergies will not.

If you are experiencing a mixture of these symptoms it could be possible that you have contracted the COVID-19 virus while also being affected by mountain cedar pollen in the air. The only way to know for sure is by getting a COVID-19 test.

Taking extra precaution to wear a mask and social distance this winter is advised. If you believe that you may have COVID-19, be sure to get tested and quarantine to avoid spreading the virus to others. If you are having trouble breathing, or other emergency warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

AllergySA is not a current testing site for COVID-19. For a list of testing locations please visit: https://covid19.sanantonio.gov/What-YOU-Can-Do/Testing#TestingLocation

A COVID-19 Vaccine is days away from approval. For up to date information on the vaccination, visit our COVID-19 Information page at: https://allergysa.com/covid19/#COVID-Vaccination

San Antonio has been ranked the #5 most challenging U.S. city to live in with pollen allergies, according to the Spring Allergy Capitals Report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

The city jumped from the 22^nd spot in 2016 to the 5^th spot in 2018 because of the report’s findings on the following factors:

• Pollen and mold counts
• Allergy medication usage
• Availability of board-certified allergists

San Antonio is not the only South Texas city to make the top of the list. McAllen, Texas came in at #1 followed by: #2: Louisville, Kentucky, #3: Jackson, Mississippi, and #4: Memphis, Tennessee. See the full 2018 Spring Allergy Capitals report here.

According to Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA, the report, “helps people in these areas be more aware of what may contribute to their allergy symptoms, so they can work with their health care providers to get relief.”

The board-certified allergists and medical professionals of AllergySA are committed to caring for adult and pediatric patients with asthma, allergy and immunology issues in San Antonio and South Texas. With the right treatment plan, seasonal allergies can be managed for better quality of life.

If you have never been tested for seasonal allergies, contact AllergySA at (210) 616-0882 to set up a new patient appointment today.