Q: how long does it take a rash due to a penicillin allergy to clear?

< 7 - 10 days: Antibiotics like penicillin can cause different types of rashes that can vary in how long they persist. The classical true penicillin allergic rash is hives and once the penicillin is stopped usually resolves in less than 7-10 days. Occasionally this can trigger more prolonged hives. Other rashes from penicillin not due to true allergy would include small red bumps that usually lasts < 1-2 wks.

Q: how long does a penicillin allergy rash take to clear?

Up to 30 days: Drug allergies can resolve in a few days and may persist for several weeks until the residual penicillin by products are cleared from body.

Q: is rash normal for a penicillin allergy?

Yes: It's typical for any drug allergy.

Q: how can i treat a penicillin allergy rash?

Stop medication: You will need to stop the medication, take an allergy pill and or steriod depending on how severe the allergic reaction is

Q: is there a particular type of rash associated with penicillin allergy?

Measles-like: Most rashes with penicillin are "morbilliform" or measles-like. More serious penicillin allergy may result in hives (itchy, patchy swellings in the skin) or angioedema (swelling of the lips, eyelids, hands or feet). There are other kinds of rashes that can occur, some of which are serious, and some of which are not. Your personal doctor or an allergist can help you decide.

Q: how do i know when will my penicillin allergy rash go away?

Yes: Most drug allergic reactions including penicillin will begin to subside about 24-48 hours after stopping the medication. It may take several days to a week for complete resolution, but quicker if medications are used like steroids.

Q: i have a penicillin allergy (rash, angioedema) but am i able to eat blue cheese? am i at risk for steven johnson syndrome?

Allergy: allergic reaction to penicillin which is usually Ig E mediated is different from the drug reaction that may progress to erythrma multifirnae major

Q: can you take cefaclor if you have a penicillin allergy?

See below: Depends on your pcn allergy 2-3 % cross allergy usually ok be careful if you have a bad reaction to pcn.

Q: what do you take for mvp prophylaxis if you have a penicillin allergy?

Depends: Some people use Cephalexin - recommendations change often, so you should see your doctor and get their suggestions.

Q: can someone with a penicillin allergy who needs to take it be desensitized to it?

Yes: Most of the cases of childhood penicillin allergy are not true allergy and patients can tolerate penicillin if getting tested and challenged properly by an allergist. In case you have real penicillin allergy and this medication or its family is really needed, it can be given in the ICU with closed one to one medical attention under a desensitization protocol.

Question 1

how long does it take a rash due to a penicillin allergy to clear?

Accepted Answer

< 7 - 10 days: Antibiotics like penicillin can cause different types of rashes that can vary in how long they persist.  The classical true penicillin allergic rash is hives and once the penicillin is stopped usually resolves in less than 7-10 days.  Occasionally this can trigger more prolonged hives.  Other rashes from penicillin not due to true allergy would include small red bumps that usually lasts < 1-2 wks.

Question 2

how long does a penicillin allergy rash take to clear?

Accepted Answer

Up to 30 days: Drug allergies can resolve in a few days and may persist for several weeks until the residual penicillin by products are cleared from body.

Question 3

is rash normal for a penicillin allergy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It's typical for any drug allergy.

Question 4

how can i treat a penicillin allergy rash?

Accepted Answer

Stop medication: You will need to stop the medication, take an allergy pill and or steriod depending on how severe the allergic reaction is

Question 5

is there a particular type of rash associated with penicillin allergy?

Accepted Answer

Measles-like: Most rashes with penicillin are "morbilliform" or measles-like. More serious penicillin allergy may result in hives (itchy, patchy swellings in the skin) or angioedema (swelling of the lips, eyelids, hands or feet). There are other kinds of rashes that can occur, some of which are serious, and some of which are not. Your personal doctor or an allergist can help you decide.

Question 6

how do i know when will my penicillin allergy rash go away?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Most drug allergic reactions including penicillin will begin to subside about 24-48 hours after stopping the medication.  It may take several days to a week for complete resolution, but quicker if medications are used like steroids.

Question 7

i have a penicillin allergy (rash, angioedema) but am i able to eat blue cheese? am i at risk for steven johnson syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Allergy: allergic reaction to penicillin which is usually Ig E mediated is different from the drug reaction that may progress to erythrma multifirnae major

Question 8

can you take cefaclor if you have a penicillin allergy?

Accepted Answer

See below: Depends on your pcn allergy
2-3 % cross allergy
usually ok
be careful if you have a bad reaction to pcn.

Question 9

what do you take for mvp prophylaxis if you have a penicillin allergy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Some people use Cephalexin - recommendations change often, so you should see your doctor and get their suggestions.

Question 10

can someone with a penicillin allergy who needs to take it be desensitized to it?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Most of the cases of childhood penicillin allergy are not true allergy and patients can tolerate penicillin if getting tested and challenged properly by an allergist. In case you have real penicillin allergy and this medication or its family is really needed, it can be given in the ICU with closed one to one medical attention under a desensitization protocol.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How long does it take a rash due to a penicillin allergy to clear

A member asked:

How long does it take a rash due to a penicillin allergy to clear?

A member asked:

How long does a penicillin allergy rash take to clear?

A member asked:

Is rash normal for a penicillin allergy?

A member asked:

How can i treat a penicillin allergy rash?

A member asked:

Is there a particular type of rash associated with penicillin allergy?

A member asked:

How do i know when will my penicillin allergy rash go away?

A member asked:

I have a penicillin allergy (rash, angioedema) but am i able to eat blue cheese? am i at risk for steven johnson syndrome?

A member asked:

Can you take cefaclor if you have a penicillin allergy?

A member asked:

What do you take for mvp prophylaxis if you have a penicillin allergy?

A member asked:

Can someone with a penicillin allergy who needs to take it be desensitized to it?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?