Amoxicillin Rash

By Editorial Team on July 22, 2017 in Diseases and Conditions

Amoxicillin has been in high use since its availability in the market. Doctors prescribe it a lot and have shown immense trust in its effect to cure various bacterial infections.

Mainly it is used to cure typical ear infections. However, it is also extensively in use for treating sore throat, gonorrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia, several infections related to the skin and urinary tract infections as well. Generally swallowed with water, it is sometimes also used in injections. However, being a common and highly used drug – it has its own disadvantages and allergies which can at times be very risky for the patient. Therefore, it is highly advisable to consult a doctor before intake of any of its doses. Some of the common types of allergies that result in rash have been discussed below.

Amoxicillin Rash Causes

It is recommended to check the expiry date before purchasing the medicine for avoiding other kinds of effects. This particular kind of penicillin antibiotic can turn out to be allergic or have rashes on the skin. Doctors are not very certain as to what exactly causes such rash. But many children get the rashes on their skin due to its intake. One common cause can be amoxicillin being a penicillin drug. However, this does not at all indicate that the child would be allergic to other penicillin drugs as well. Hives can also be the part of this allergic reaction. If your child is showing any type of breathing problems, wheezing or swelling of lips then consult the doctor right away. In the case of maculopapular rash, the doctors can’t know the cause of the rash. Many people get rash on the skin after taking amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin Rash Symptoms

When the allergy is caused by a reaction to penicillin, the symptoms appear after a few doses of amoxicillin. There is a hive-like structure which is itchy, reddish and often bumpy. Some later rash reactions include paler along with red patches on the skin which are generally smaller in size. These appear within 3 – 10 days of the drug intake. Some other symptoms are nausea, regurgitation, dizziness and sometimes fever or diarrhea. Don’t worry this type of rash in non-contagious.

Amoxicillin Rash Risk Factors

Amoxicillin rash is one of the side effects of this drug besides others such as bloating, nose bleeding, chest pain, blood in the urine and many others. The rashes are visible on the skin as hives or red patches all over the hands, neck, back. The rashes can sometimes get very itchy and cause discomfort in which case Benadryl or any other drug might be given for its cure. Although rare, but at times the rashes can actually be a threat to your life. A person detected with non-allergic amoxicillin rash would refer that there is the presence of infectious mononucleosis. Whereas, it has been diagnosed that people with Epstein – Barr virus infection can have a non-allergic reaction to it. Girls suffer more from boys in amoxicillin. Some leukemia patients also suffer from this rash after taking the medicine.

Types of Rashes

There are several types of rash varying on the grounds which caused the allergy as well as the person’s immunization power. Generally, the rashes disappear within a period of about 1 – 6 days. The common types are as follows:

Exfoliative Rash – The most common type of rash affecting a particular part of the body. This kind of rash causes severe discomfort but does not spread throughout the body. The most serious type amongst all others.
Purulent – This is the painful type where there are painful bumps over the body which has pus-filled in them. They are caused due to infected and swollen hair follicles.
Anaphylaxis – This one is the worst because it is life-threatening and one needs to consult the doctor as soon as the symptoms start showing. Symptoms include wheezing and frequent breathlessness. Such a condition is mainly caused due to a strong adverse reaction to the drug.
Erythematosus – In this type, the rashes get very itchy, cause inflammation and turn red. Hard itching on the skin can result in blisters or bruises.

Amoxicillin Rash Treatment

The rashes disappear by themselves and there’s no need for a doctor unless that causes breathlessness. Oatmeal can be added to warm bath water for relief. Commonly used the drug to cure this is Benadryl. For preliminary give Benadryl and stop using the medicine and talk to the doctor as soon as possible so that he/she can prescribe other medicine to cure the disease. Don’t ignore if the person has an anaphylactic reaction. For home, remedies take a cup of oatmeal and all in the water of the bath, keep the water warm it will help to sooth the itchiness. Drink a lot of water as it will help to flush out the toxins from your body.