Allergic to Amoxicillin?

Hi M.:

My son had the exact same reaction to Amoxicillin--a rash all over his torso--and it IS an allergic reaction to the drug. Actually, for my son it is the penicillin (which is in Amoxicillin) that he is allergic to. This is an important allergy to be aware of. I would get a second opinion immediately if I were you. Good luck.

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It sounds like an allergy to me. I would get a second opinion if you can, maybe Urgent Care.

I agree that it's likely to be an allergic reaction to the amoxicillin. I had a reaction when I was pregnant with my daughter. It looked like tiny red spots all over my body, more like my skin was redder all over.

My daughter also suffered from frequent ear infections, even into college, until we found a great whole food supplement that has balanced her immune system and strengthened it as well. She doesn't get colds as often or if she does, they don't progress to an ear infection.

However, that's another story. So, she used to take amoxicillin quite regularly. When she was about 2, she had a bad reaction, with hives and swelling up like a little balloon. Fortunately, she didn't have any breathing problems and my sister, who was studying nursing, recognized the drug reaction right away.

I suppose it is possible that the puffy eye is related to the ear infection. I think all of that stuff drains into a common area so the cold might be in his eye also. But this is just an educated guess. I think you would be well within your rights as a mom to ask for a different script. But watch your baby carefully for any further changes. If the rash spreads or gets worse, stop the amoxicillin immediately.

Good luck! In health, D.

My son had an allergic reaction, but it also runs in the family. He got a rash like excema from it too, and it didn't show up until the 8th or 9th day, although I did read allergic reactions will most likely show up early, not later. So it sounds like your son is either allergic or has a sensitivity to amox. Maybe see if you can try another antibiotic if it gets worse or is not going away.

This can be very dangerous. I would stop giving that med right now. If the rash goes away, then you know it was the med or the infection. I have actually never heard of someone getting a rash from an ear infection.

I am very very allergic to anything related to penicillin, which of course is amoxicillian. I was fine when I was a kid until a doctor gave me an adult prescription and then I had an overdose. For me...I get a rash all over my body that looks like a sunburn and itches very badly. My knuckles might swell up and once, I had trouble breathing because my throat was closing. Give him the dose and watch very closely....take care!

M. .. It could have been an allergic reaction to the MOTRIN!
It isnt common, but one I have been hearing through the years. When one of my children were young, there was a news story of a little girl that almost died from Motrin. She is very sensitive to light now.

Here is a link: http://forum.purseblog.com/health-and-fitness/warning-mot...

but you can google Allergy to Motrin and you will find TONS of stories. Same thing as you described. Rash and swollen eyes.

Be very careful as many doctors are recommending to not give it again until they are 4 or 5 yrs of age. I was able to use Motrin with my children, but used Tylenol with it just because I was leary.

Best of luck to you and I hope you get to the bottom of it.

I just went through most of this with my daughter last week so I'll share my stuff.

1 wk ago Sunday took in and started amoxicillin (she's been on this before)for ear infection. Sunday night through Tuesday kept spiking a fever (up to 105 a couple of times but I could always get it back down) I was in contact with Dr. Office but Tues we went back in. Ear was still red (increased the amoxicillian from 2 to 3 tsp) said he believed she had an underlying virus which was causing the fever to spike and that they had been seeing alot of kids coming thru with same thing. No fever after Tuesday afternoon... Friday she developed a rash (red dots like someone poking her with a red pen) but it went away by Saturday. They explained it as something that commonly happens when you have a virus and are taking amoxicillin... She has also had eye infections a couple times this year which was puffyness around the eye (blocked eye duct). You could possibly have a combination of stuff going on or indeed it could be a reaction to the meds. I was not told it was an allergic reaction just a reaction because of being on it and also having a virus. This was not itchy and went away before the antibiotics were finished. Anyway just giving you more food for thought....

Both of my sons are allergic to amoxicillin, they both broke out in hives all over their bodies a few days after starting the meds. I would stop the meds and bring him in, there are plenty of other antibiotics that he can take, we have used zithromax (sp?) and cephalexin. Good luck, hope your son gets better soon.

I would stop the meds immediately! Penicillin allergy is very common and they get worse with each exposure, the worst case being swelling in the throat making it impossible to breathe. I don't know what your pedi is thinking, but its not worth the risk, there are plenty of other antibiotics out there not made from penicillin that he could write for you. You don't want to end up at the ER.

It is common to have a rash, I get hives from it, and my husband starts to swell up. Neither of us will have anything to do with it.

Drug allergies don't come from overuse...resistance does. An allergy can show up immediately or in a few days...it all depends on the child.

M.,

My youngest son is 2 years old now, but when he was about 6 months old he had an ear infection and was prescribed penicillin for it. He was fine until almost the end of the prescription and in the morning he had a bit of a rash on his neck and I took him back to the Dr.'s office for the follow-up and in just a couple of hours his entire torso was covered with a rash, lots of little red bumps. The Dr identified it as an allergy to penicillin but said a rash is a very mild reaction to it. He also told me that he could possibly outgrow it, which I found reassuring. Good luck to you and your son, I hope you can figure out what is causing this.

M.,

My oldest son was prone to ear infections. He,too was prescribed Amoxicillin. Never once, in all his many episodes, did he swell or get a rash because of the infection. However, he did get a rash due to the Amoxicillin!! Under his arms, across his belly, and full-on in the diaper area. He, oddly enough, was allergic to the red dye used for color. Polymox (same med, different flavor and color)had no reactive effect on him at all.

I would either get a second opinion, or just stop the med altogether, as I would be worried about a reaction, which is what it sounds to me like he is having.

Best of luck,
J.

Hi M.,

Both my sister and my niece are allergic to amocicillin, well all cillins for that matter. My niece found out she was allergic to it not that long ago when she was taking it for an ear infection and she broke out in a rash. She didn't swell up, but her rash was really bad and bothered her worse than her ear. So it may very well be that your son is allergic to amoxicillin, there are other medications that he can take for that. Good luck.

Do NOT give it to him again and make sure you tell your Dr.! I am HIGHLY allergic to it(along with my kids!) Same thing happened to us! When my son was on it for an ear infection-I was breastfeeding him and I broke out in hives from head to toe! I have a daycare and gave a baby some the other day and a little got on her chin and I wiped it up with my finger before it got on her outfit-my throat swelled the next morning!

A little girl I used to watch developed a rash all over her tummy and neck one day. It kept getting worse and when her Dad picked her up and took her to the doctor they found out she was allergic to the antibiotics she was on. It wasn't amoxicillin but her rash was everywhere within 24 hours. If you're worried just make an appt. and take him in, it's better to not worry!!

I think the doctor is remiss by assuming something over the phone. Swelling of the eye and a rash is a sign of an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. This could be VERY dangerous to your child. Take him to be seen as soon as possible! Maybe you need a new doctor.

My daughter is allergic to amoxicillin. All she had was a rash, no puffy eye. It did not itch her. The rash was all over her chest and stomach area, and spread to her arms. Of course I gave her another dose right before I took her to the doctor to have the rash checked. Her doc gave her another antibiotic and her ear infection and rash cleared right up. I'd watch carefully for the rash to spread- if it is an allergy it could be worse next time. Good luck!

C.

Hi M., one of my daugter's had a rash while taking meds for strep, the Dr. said it was from the infection. Another daughter got a rash while taking pennicillin, this was from the med's, alergic, she has to stay away from anything with, cillin, in the name, if Paul seams to get worse, I would take him in, let the doctor's look, and give you their oppinion, on which it is, due to infection, or reaction. I remember the rash, changing, moving from one place on the body to another, with the strep infection. It would bother me if it was close to the eye. Best of luck with your son. B. mom of 4 daughter's, grandma of 2 boy's one girl.

Sometimes, as a virus runs it course, rash like bumps or bloches on a child's very sensitive skin can occur. Your son did have a fever and his body is working hard to try and rid the infection, so it is very likely that the rash is a result of the "bug" that he is fighting. Typically, an allergic reaction to a medication is quite immediate and hard to mistake (swelling of the entire body, particularly hands, feet or face and hives or large bloches). If the rash is more like eczema or dry skin with small dots or bumps that are quite dry looking and not "active" looking like bright red bloches or hives it is unlikely an allergic reaction to the med itself. Every case can be different, so you are smart to check with your pediatrician and watch carefully. Do also listen to the level of concern from your doctor (or lack of concern) and help that guide your decision.
More likely, your son is reacting to the fever and the extra work of fighting off an infection or possibly a dye or additive within one of the meds. Hope he (and you) are feeling better soon!

It sounds like a reaction to the amoxicillin to me. My daughter was fine with amoxicillin for awhile, but on one occasion when she was around 2 she ended up with hives over her entire body after a few days on it. Our family doctor told us to stop using it, and gave us a different antibiotic. Doctor's since then have said it is possible kids can grow out of amoxicillin responses like that, but I've been very hesitant to allow it for either child.

Hope your son gets better soon.

- H.

Yes, my daughter is allergic to amoxicillin. She developed a rash over tummy and maybe more areas. This was several years ago so I can't remember. We now just say she is allergic to amoxicillin and the doctor has that on file, so they prescribe a different antibiotic, if needed.

My daughter got a rash like that when she took amox...my doctor switched her meds...since antibiotics gradually increase in your system with doses...he didnt' want her reation to get worse...the rash is an allergic reaction definitely..
my doctor switched her to zithromax...she did get an upset tummy with that...but no allergic reaction

Both my kids had reactions to Amox. on about the 4th day. I looked it up on webmd and a few other medical sites and found that it is no big deal. Some kids just get a reaction to the meds. The worst of it was the 2nd or 3rd day (I think. can't remember) and then it clears up. Try searching for amox reaction on google.

My son was taking amoxicillin for an ear infection and it made him sick. He couldn't keep anything down and was so dehydrated I almost took him to the ER. After yet another trip to the doctor we decided he was allergic to the medication. He didn't have a rash or anything else but I kept giving him medicine I thought was supposed to be helping him. He started on Zithromycin which is really strong but it cleared up his ear infection and he's fine now. I heard they are finding out that kids are becoming more immune to amoxicillin these days. Trust your gut. If you notice a pattern with the amoxicillin, stop giving it to him and tell his doctor to try something else. Good luck! I hope the little guy feels better!

M.,
I don't recall ever getting a puffy eye but I do know that I would spike a temp. and get hives on my back, and chest. Be careful about the number of times he is put on this family of antibiotics. I am now allergic to all -cillin's. It is due to over useage. The dr. gave them to me everytime I got an ear infection.
I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but that is my experience. Hope this helps a littlt anyway.
M

my daughter also broke out in a rash on her torso from amoxicillian.. they were not sure it was the amoxicillian.. as she had a fever and ear infection and pneumonia..

the rash most likely wont get wors but take him back tot he dr tomorrow and have him looked at.. there might be a better antibiotic for him..

I'm allergic to amoxicillin and my reaction to it was hives. It's a generic of penicillin which is a common allergy.

I would either get another dr advice or go with your gut. You can tell the dr you don't feel comfortable continuing that script & want something else. There are tons of scripts for ear infections.

And, it seems odd that a rash would be caused by the ear infection. Now maybe if it was scarlett fever that he had. I have three kids and have never had that happen with any of them.

My 3rd child, a boy, had an allergic reaction to amoxicillian. It started out as a small red rash and then progressed to welts. I took him to the pediatrician, who stated the allergic reaction had progressed to hives and if I had continued to give him the amoxicillian the hives could have advanced to a skin burn degree, which would have been quite serious. We switched meds. My son is also allergic to Ceclor, and several laundry detergents. He's 22 now, almost 23, and still allergic to laundry detergents and as far as I know the amoxicillian and Ceclor. I would suggest taking him to the peds and getting a new med. Good luck.
V.

that is strange my oldest had been given amoxicillin many times and one time he got a rash on the 2nd day and i was told to stop giving it to him and get another RX. you may want to get another opinion.

hello!
when my daughter was 2 she had a severe allergic reaction to amoxicillin. her knees swelled, her eyes and hands...we had to take her to ER. I would take him in just to be sure. I know that would ease your mind as well!

Many times we had to give antibiotics for ear infections and luckily our son didn't have any reactions. However, I do. I had a rash develop. I was told to stop the meds and they put me on another.

However, I have also heard that by the time the meds begin to work, the infection may already be at it's worst in running it's course (depending on what is going on?). It always takes at least 48 Hours for these to begin working in the body, not 24 like many think.

If I were you, I would stop the antibiotic or get a second opinion with another doctor... Allergies can become worse and I never heard of a rash or swelling developing with just an ear infection... A cold and respiratory issues, yes... but not the other.

If you keep him on the antibiotic, you may want to consider giving a probotic to counter the killing of 'good' bacteria in his digestive system. They have many to choose from for all ages and it really helps (it's a good idea to take them anyway~).

I am thankful as I use alternative medicine for our needs~ it works great and I never have side-effects.

Good Luck and I hope he recovers!

We found out that my daughter was allergic to amoxicillin with a rash also. She had taken it once before with and ear infection with no problems. The second time she took it she broke out in a rash on her tummy, which spread to her arms and legs. I stopped giving it to her and took her to the pediatrician, they determined it was a slight allergic reaction to the medicine. I would stop the medicine and take your son into the pediatrician.

M.,

My son (now 21) was on ammoxicillin all the time when he was younger due to infections. He never reacted the way your son is -- he just eventually built up a high tolerence for it, so it eventually got to the point where it wouldn't do it's job for him and get rid of the infections...
I would take him back to the doctors and have him checked out. It shouldn't matter if he is reacting to the ear infection or the medication or possibly something else? -- He needs to be checked out - It may be no big deal but I would personally rather have him checked out now then to have more serious issues later
I have developed some very serious allergies that started in my teens and due to those I can't take any over the counter meds; if I hadn't had this checked it could have cost me my life just for taking something that most people take for granted
I can't have cold medicines, cough medicines, pain killer (any type), and the list goes on of what I can't have...
I have to be very careful around meds to the point where I can't even touch the packaging it comes in... I just think that he should be checked just to make sure so that if he does have a serious allergy to something you can find out now and keep him safe. (with most of my allergies I've taken something only to find out that I can't take that product, so there has been some close calls; I would hate for anyone else to go through what I have, least of all a child)
Please let me know if I can explain it better to you or if you have questions, or if I can help in any way

I don't know what kind of insurance you have but if you want a second opinion call ###-###-#### and ask to speak to a Dr. Berry. If he's with patients he won't call till almost 8 tonight but at least you could tell your story and he will tell you what would be the right thing to do. I trust this pediatrician as if he was my husband. Which my husband which he is not but my husband that I have is my life and bestfirend. So I highly recomend him for a 2nd opinion. My son was diagnosed with laringomalacia as a baby and he was the first out of 3 dr.'s who caught it before my son lost all his oxygen. He is a very good pediatrician Dr. Berry. I would also ask him if you could give him benadryl to subside the reaction. Good luck!!

My daughter is allergic to amoxicillin. She was given a 10 day dose for an ear infection. After taking it for 7 days she turned red from head to toe and broke out in a rash that was red and looked like little spider bites (I'm told it was hives). I called the pharmacy and was told this is a common allergic reaction to amox. It happened within 5 minutes of taking the medication. My ped had me wait a day and then give her another dose and bring her into the office so that they could see the reaction.

I was told, both by the Dr. and Pharm that it generally takes 7-10 days for enough of the drug to build up in a child to have a reaction. My guess is that the reaction is part of the virus, not the amox. If he didn't react almost immediately after being given more, I think you are ok.

Is this the first time he has had amoxicillin? If so I would be little worried. The first time my son was given it he got only a small rash on his neck and face and his ped. told me to stop giving it to him and has never given it to him since. Allergic ractions can come on slow or very fast and can get worse with each time he is exposed to the cause. Even though he did not have a strong reaction I state that he is allergic to Amoxicillin on all medical paper work and school forms I would rather be safe then sorry.

My daughter is 3 and has taken Amoxicillin several times since she was about 6-8 months old for ear infections. She is now allergic to Amoxicillin (penicillin). My daughter broke out in hives all over her body, and when I called the on-call pediatrician, they told me to immediately stop use. I am not the doctor, but I would be a bit concerned that he may be allergic to the medication. It does not matter if this is first time he has taken it or 10 times later, you can develop an allergy at any time. My pediatrician said that many times kids become allergic after repeated use of the medication. If I were the mother, and the rash and swollen eye is not going away, I would stop use, call the pediatrican and take my lil one in and discuss your concerns.

My son was allergic to this too. He broke out in a rash and my doctor put him on a different medication right away. He did not, however, get a puffy eye. I would definitely ask your doctor to put him on something else for his ear infection and make sure you keep track of what he is allergic to. At least that way you could see if the puffy eye is a reaction to the medication or something entirely different.