LA’s Soapbox

Less than 2 weeks ago my daughter developed tonsilitis along with an ear infection. Off to the clinic she went where the dr prescribed drops for the ear and penicillin. She promptly told him that I was highly allergic to penicillin (almost died from it 16 years ago) where upon he told her it was not hereditary and there were no worries. Fast forward a week later and the poor kid starts to develop red blotches on her face. She returned to the clinic, (same dr was on call), he gave her a prescription for 3 days worth of Benadryl and sent her home.

The great trooper that she is, off to her summer job she goes for 8am Monday. By the time she got to work the red blotches were spreading to her neck, torso and arms and now her face was starting to swell. By 10am she called home and I told her to get home asap. She hopped in a taxi and by the time she got home I could barely recognise her due to the facial swelling. I rushed her to the CLSC (local health center ie: mini hospital) because I knew from personal experience that she was having a severe reaction to the penicillin. The dr confirmed it and prescribed cortisone (yuck).. he too said that heredity has nothing to do with it (pffft! I thought). Pharmacist also said the same thing! hmmm

It got a lot worse before it got better. She was covered from head to toe with the red blotches and hives for 4 to 5 days and the itch, boy howdy! Baking soda baths and Benadryl helped but it was really bad. She was such a tropper (sic) (see comments ;Þ) considering how severe the reaction was. She’s a lot better today

As for the hereditary issue, I, of course was not convinced and had to do some reseach on the net. Lo and behold doesn’t the Mayo Clinic (they are kinda well known, don’tcha think? :Þ) website say “…certain people seem to be at greater risk of developing a penicillin allergy than others are. Heredity may play a role.” I rest my case!

This entry was posted on Friday, June 16th, 2006 at 12:16 and is filed under General, Family Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.