Question About Antibiotic Reaction

My daughter was about that age when the same thing happened to her. Her first Penicillin based antibiotic made her break out in a rash from head to toe. Her doctor said to stop giving it to her because she is most likely allergic to Penicillin. He gave her a different prescription that is no Penicillin based and she had no problem with it. She is 6 now and I have on the record at every doctor and hospital that she is allergic to Penicillin, even though the doctor thinks that she may have grown out of it. Personally, I would not do anything that you are not comfortable with! Penicillin allergy can be very harmful and I wouldn't take any chances. I just had her tested for allergies this year to find out that she is also allergic to eggs, cow's milk, and wheat. So they may all be related as well. Good luck!

Call the Dr again and INSIST on switching the antibiotic. Also try mullein/garlic ear drops and holding warm compresses on her ears.

My daughter did that with amoxicillan. My dr took her off it immediately and started her on something else. I won't give her amoxicillan anymore. I have had her marked as allergic. The next reaction could be worse than a rash.

M.:
My daughter had the same thing at about the same age. She had big red bumps (hives). We took her back in to the pediatrician and discovered she was allergic to penicillin. If I remember correctly, there are other antibiotics that are not penicillin based, but I'm not sure. You may ask about it. Also, the doctor gave us some over the counter cortisone cream for the hives. It worked within 2 days. Hope this helps and good luck.
S.

I would think a reaction like that is an allergic reaction to the medication and she is allergic to all variations of penicillin. I am allergic to penicillin and her symptons are the same as mine. Rash starts on torso and spreads out to limbs. She could end up not be able to breathe. I would go to an urgent care if you dr says to keep her on the drug.

My son was about that age when he was first given amoxicillan. My dr. told me to stop and give him benedryl until the rash cleared up (like a day or 2). They should call her in another antibiotic. Allergies can be fatal in some people. I would call them back and tell them you are not satisfied with that to call something else in.

I have 2 children allergic to Augmentin. They both developed a rash all over their bodies. With of my sons, he developed the rash the next day after starting the medication, and I called the ER and spoke to a nurse. It was over the weekend so I couldn't call his pediatrician. She said to stop giving it to him and had another prescription called in. It is now on his record and will not be prescribed again. With my other son, he waited until he had only one more day of the prescription before he broke out and they said to give Benadryl so that he could finish the dose without having to start a new round of antibiotic, or they said would be okay to just stop the meds. That is what I did. When later I spoke to the doctor about it he said that this time was just a rash, but if given again the antibodies have already developed, and the reaction could be more severe next time, so be sure that you do not allow them to prescribe it again whether you decide this time to continue with benadryl or to get a different prescription.

It sounds like an allergic reaction, you should not give her anymore, this may lead to a worse reaction. I can not believe your DR would suggest to keep giving it to her

both of my children had similiar reaction to Amoxicillan,
they also had vomitting with those symptoms.
I listened to my own gut reaction to the symptoms and did not ever give them it again.
our pediatrician agreed and ran some test, both my kids have penicillan allergies.

I would ask for Zythromax instead

Yes, I have used Children's Benedryl on children younger than your daughter. It does help a lot. I would be more concerned about keeping her on an anti-biotic causing the reaction and request he change it to something else. There are other medications that can be used and I would make sure to get one of them instead.

Melissa,
The same thing happened to my daughter when she was 6 months old. Our doctor told us to stop giving it to her immediately and he called in a different antibiotic. Her reaction is in her file and from then on if an antibiotic is ever needed they never prescribe penicillin type antibiotics.

Many of my children are allergic to Amoxicillin/Penicillin (sp?), and had similiar reactions, some worse. The Dr should take them off that particular med, record in the child's chart that they are allergic, and prescribe a different family of antibiotics. I was shocked to read your post that your dr said to continue to give your child something that they were having a reaction to - OMGosh! If I were you, I'd get a second opinion. I would wonder how harsh/bad does a reaction have to be before your dr would determine it to be dangerous.

That seems strange that your dr. would not take her off the meds. My daughter was allergic to Omnicef, and when I called in with her symptoms, the dr. saw her and changed the medication right away. It sounds like she is allergic to it, I can't imagine why he would have you keep giving it to her! Knowing medication allergies is important health info to have throughout your life, so that you don't get put on meds you are allergic to. I would call the dr. back and insist he change the meds and/or see your daughter to make a better assessment of what's going on. Good luck!

Hello M.,

My son was about 3 months old when he also had an ear infection and was put on amoxicillin. He also developed a rash and hives but was near the end of his medicine. The doctor told me to stop giving him the medicine. But since he's had other antibiotics and has developed rashes/hives and each time he has to take Benadryl too. I'm like you and don't like to give him so much medicine but I know he's miserable without the Benadryl to counter act the reaction of the antibiotic. So far there's been one antibiotic he's not had an allergic reaction to. I would ask your doctor if perhaps you can try a different antibiotic. Not sure if this helped, but best of luck.

Katrina

My daughter is allergic to Amox and omnicef (the abx they tried after the Amox). We absolutely gave her benadryl each time she developed hives as an allergic reaction. She now takes azithromyacin for ear infections.

Hi M.,
Yikes...it sounds like she's having an allergic reaction to the amoxycillin. I went through the same thing with my daughter. However, she was taken off of the amox. and put on a different antibiotic. The Benadryl would help with the reaction, but I can't imagine why your doctor would tell you to continue with the antibiotic. My daughter now has it marked in her records that she's allergic to it and receives an alternate antibiotic whenever there's a need. Hope this helps. I'd talk with my doc. about it. Good luck and hope she feels better soon!

Hi M.! That is actually called an amoxacillin rash. It's a common thing. I am surprised that he didn't prescribe her something else. Don't panic, but I would ask for another antibiotic. Just tell him that you're not comfortable giving her two medications. I don't blame you for a minute... she's only 11 months old! The same thing happened to one of my sons, so the pediatrician gave us something else. Call and talk to another doctor if your pediatrician doesn't seem willing to help you out and care about your concerns. You may even want to give her some Motrin for the pain if she seems really cranky. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope your daughter is feeling better real soon!

The same thing happened to my daughter and our doctor filled a prescription for the rash. Can't remember what it was, but she ended up getting better. We thought it was bizarre since she got the rash the second time she had an ear infection and used Amoxicilin to treat it. It was around Halloween last year, so about 11 months old as well. Doc gave her Azithromycin instead of Amoxicilin. Haven't ever used Benedryl, so won't be any help on that. I'd say as long as she gets better using the Benedryl it will be fine, but if she gets worse, she could be allergic to that as well. Good luck.

My daughter had a rash with that drug as well when she was 8 or 9 months. When we called the doc, she said to stop the drug and we tried a different one. We've not tried the drug since, the doc always prescribes something else. Go with your gut. If you're unsure about giving something, share that with your doc and ask for something else, or go see someone else.

Hi M.,
My daughter, who is now 19yrs, had the same problems. Since an infant we discovered that she was allergic to all penicillins and ceclor medications. Yes, we gave the benadryl to clear up the symtoms...our doctor never had us continue to keep her on the antibiotic that she was reacting to. We went thru alot of meds over the years. Thank God she doesn't get sick that often to require antibiotics anymore.
If you want to talk...give me a call. I can also give some
advise on how to build up her immune system.

Good Luck!
A.
###-###-####
www.HopeShared.com

I would be afraid that she may be allergic to penicillin, so your doctor better be paying attention.

Benadryl is an antihistamine that helps as an antidote to the allergen--whatever is causing the rash. I am sort of surprised the doc said to keep giving the Benadryl. Had she had Amoxicillin before? our oldest DD had 13 ear infections in a six month period and then got tubes and it was great after that. They have to rotate the antibiotics because they lose their effectiveness if they give the same one right after finishing a course. Does she still turn red when you give her the Amoxicillin? Did the rash recur? I wouldn't be afraid of Benadryl-- it SAVES LIVES when people have severe allergic reactions...

You can ask for Floxin Otic eardrops instead of the antibiotic. Much easier and safer. I would also get Culturelle (a probiotic) and give it your daughter everyday (you can open the capsule and mix it in baby food or applesauce) this will help rebalance her body with good bacteria since the antiobiotic will wipe that out.

One of my twins broke out horribly with hives as a reaction to Zithromax. My doc told me to stop the medicine ASAP and give him Benadryl. I don't really understand why he would tell you to keep giving her the medicine if he knows it is causing a reaction? As long as you follow the doc's dosage, your baby will be fine with Benadryl (I was worried about the same thing). He waited until the hives were completely gone before he would prescribe a different antibiotic. He said we needed to treat the reaction first. He had me give him infant Tylenol for any pain he was having due to the ear infection. Good luck. Hope she feels better soon!

I don't like giving mediation just to rectify another one either:( There are other types they can try or they can give her a shot.

The other thing you can do is skip antibiotics and use garlic oil drops in her ears instead. Any heath food store will sell garlic oil.

If you stick with the antis, also get some probiotics. You can get them in powder form and mix it with a small amount of yogurt or with water in a sippy cup (or breastmilk or formula in a bottle). You shouldn't give probiotics with a full meal. Also, keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't get thrush and if you are breastfeeding, watch your nipples for it as well.
Look in the vitamin section of a place like Whole Foods for a refrigerator case, refrigerated probiotics are the best form.

Good Luck:)

the reason some moms are recommending probiotics is because antibiotics wipe out not only the infection but also all the good bacteria in the digestive tract that help digest food and fight yeast and thrush. probiotics help to restore the balance of good bacteria, which is really important. so i highly recommend that! yogurt contains probiotics (acidophilus, lactobillus...) you can just use that-- just be sure to get a good brand that says "live cultures" on it. (yo baby, danon activia, or stoneyfield are all good brands) or you can get a probiotic in the refridgerator at any health food store that you can mix in with baby food or a bottle.

we have used garlic or mullien oil successfully for many ear infections... you might try that as well if you're not into medicating.

My son actually just broke out in hives all over his body that was apparently an allergic reaction to amoxycillin as well. It was the second time on the medication and they said typically an allergic reaction will show up on the 2nd or 3rd dose. When I first called, they said to give him Benadryl as well and apply Cortaid to his skin. These did not help and the hives worsened overnight. We had to take him to urgent care to find he was allergic where they prescribed a steroid and stronger antihistimin and they cleared up in a few days. If the rash gets worse or doesn't go away, I would take her in just to be safe. Has she eaten anything different since she has been taking the amoxycillin?

My son had a similar reaction to amoxicillian but the rash covered his entire body. I don't know why they continue to give that to infants and toddlers is seems to be a common med for children to have problems with. Anyway, I'm not big on drug my child either but you must give her the benedryl to make her comfortable. Currently, I have a rash my legs and benedryl has been a life saver for me as well as it made my son feel a lot better when he had his rash. It is your job to make sure your baby is not uncomfortable which I'm sure she is if she has a rash everywhere. The drug doesn't make you feel any different but does help with the discomfort.

M.,

Stop giving her the antibiotic, and get a second opinion (from a different doctor) right away. Many people are allergic to the penicillin family of drugs, and often the reaction to allergies becomes increasingly worse with each exposure. It makes no sense whatsoever to continue administering a drug that is causing allergic reactions, and also giving an antihistimine.

Best wishes,
K.

We had an issue with an allergic reaction when our son was 6 months old. Benadryl is safe as long as you're using the appropriate dose for your baby's age and weight.
Benadryl has been on the market a long time and is an often used antihistamine for minor allergies. If you don't feel safe with the pediatrician's advice, consult the American Academy of Pediatrics for their guidelines.
In the end, you're far better having the Benadryl in your child's system than subjecting them to more severe ear infections.
Physicians have many different approaches to medicine. Call your pharmacist to see what they recommend as well.
You are limited in options because very few drugs are actually tested on Pediatric subjects for FDA approval.

Any time your doctor prescribes something that doesn't make sense to you, it is ok to ask questions and explain why you are concerned. With this, it sounds like her cheeks got red the very first time she received amoxicillin. For a true allergic reaction, your body has to have been exposed to the allergen once in order to develop antibodies to the allergen, and then have the allergic reaction the next time you are exposed to the allergen. A reaction that occurs with the very first exposure to an allergen is generally an idiosyncratic reaction, and not a true allergic reaction. It is purely a guess that this is what your doc was thinking, and benadryl could be an appropriate response to the reaction. I don't know that this is true. It does seem like there are a lot of entry-level antibiotics, so your ped could have changed anti's. I work in a NICU, and I do know we had a baby that had a red rash occur the first time given an anti and we continued to give the anti, and gave benadryl for the reaction. That baby wasn't considered to be allergic to that anti.
R.