Penicillin allergy...

Question

I'm 20 and I've been severely allergic to Penicillin since I was a kid. Lately my mom has been on my back saying that I need to be wearing a medical alert bracelet with my penicillin allergy listed on it...I've been allergic for 16 years and have never worn one. Do I really need to or is she paranoid?

Answer 1

no she is just trippin  ... ok i mean its not like your blood type or nothing what emergeny does penicillain treat?

Answer 2

Yes, get the bracelet.

If you were to be inadvertently given penicillin by someone who did not know your condition, it could result in analphylactic shock, which can be fatal, if not treated immediately.

Answer 3

She's not paranoid; a severe allergic reaction can kill you.  If you're conscious, any doctor would ask about drug allergies before administering any antibiotic.  But you might not always be conscious in a medical situation, and I would not bet my life on every doctor remembering to check.

Penicillins are the drugs most likely to cause fatal allergic reactions.

Answer 4

Paranoid? No, concerned parent, yes. She is right. If for some reason you are in receiving medical care and are not able to speak for yourself this would come in handy and could save your life

Answer 5

I think you would be fine as long as all your doctors know of this allergy. but if you want to be safe maybe the alert bracelet is a good idea. Penicillin is a comman medicine if you went somewhere and something happened and none of the doctors had your record they could give you penicillin in an attempt to try and save your life. I don't think your mom is paranoid she just wants to keep you safe.

Answer 6

erm,.. well somethimes those reactions can be nasty like,.. life threatning,.. so emm,.. i would say yes except penicillin is used to treat bacterial infections so,.. i dont think it would be used to treat like in the case of an absolute emergency (like on that you couldnt just tell them)

altho it can't hurt,....

Answer 7

she paranoid.

im allergic to it too, but im 12.

i dont have one

&& i was born allergic

Answer 8

I woke up in a hospital to a male nurse trying to force me to take it, and I am severly allergic

Answer 9

Peneiillin is a VERY common medication.

If something should happen to you, and you should pass out, someone MIGHT give you penicillin, which would cause you all kinds of problems.

Your mom is not being paranoid.  Get a bracelet.

Answer 10

im allergic to it. and i dont need one. she's just paranoid. make sure you just dont take any. cause that would suck.

Answer 11

If you are really severely allergic (like throat swelling up) I'd say maybe get one or get one of the cards to put in your wallet.  If you get in an accident and aren't conscious to tell doctors it may help.  But, they might not use penicillin without knowing your medical history, just because it's an antibiotic people are frequently allergic to.  If it we something like bee stings or peanuts, I'd say definitely get a bracelet.  But, since it's an antibiotic that you won't be exposed to frequently, it might not be as important to wear on a daily basis.  Maybe get the card for the wallet because it's less obvious and might make your mom happy.  

Answer 12

lol....i'm allergic to ampicillin lol and i never wear that tag....i figure if i'm not conscious to tell the i'm allergic to ampicillin it's okay because those are used if you are just sick....but if i was allergic to something else like morphine, saline, ect i would wear it XD

Answer 13

im allergic too and no you don't need a bracelet.

Answer 14

I'm 23 and have the same allergy.  While I don't wear one,  it wouldn't be a bad idea.  I've never had any problems, but if anything ever happens to you and they use it there may be problems.  It really depends on how severe your allergy to it is.