09/29/2025
Today is National Penicillin Allergy Awareness Day!
Penicillin allergies are often misdiagnosed and that label stays with patients often the rest of their life. This leads to unnecessary avoidance of a very useful antibiotic class, increased cost of care, and higher chance of side effects, and worse outcomes. 95% of these cases we see are not due to any type of allergy and we can simply give again when indicated. This history also does not increase risk for anaphylaxis with future exposure.
Many people are told they're allergic based upon family history, past side effects, or other confusion about risk factors - these are also not reasons to avoid.
At the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center we perform Penicillin testing and challenges on average twice a year! It’s very important for any patient with a history of a reaction to come and be evaluated! Please share with family and friends, so many patients are being mislabeled!
