Had an allergic reaction to penicillin long back, severe chest pain now. Am I still allergic, can I be desensitized ?
Patient: Hi Dr, I had an allergic reaction to penicillin..a suspension mixed with water when i was 14 some 43 years ago..I got large 1-2 inch diameter lumps like boils all over my mucous mebranes  my eylids mouth throat etc and all over my body...causing me to have great difficulty to breath...I had a severe chest infection to start with!How do I find out if I am stil lallergic and can i be desensitised if i am. Doctor: hello there..welcome to healthcaremagic.. well after going through your query its quite clear that you have had a severe allergic reaction to  penicillin in the past.. and i want to make you clear that once if a person is diagnosed of having penicillin allergy wil be allergic to penicillin for the rest of his life..so there is no need to find if u r still allergic..there is no way to get it desensitized.. infact if u consume penicillin once more there may be chances of life threatening anaphylaxis reaction.. and there is no need to rely much on only penicillins as there are many new antibiotics are released which are very effective.. so there are alternatives to penicillin which are safe and very effective thatswhy there is no need to worry about it.. just dont forget to tell your doctor that your are allergic to penicillin then they prescribe u an equally effective medicines.. i hope this solves ur query.. thanks and take care.. wish a healthy life ahead...