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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Hives On Body After Starting Penicillin Dose

I am a 28 year old Caucasian female. 5 8 165 lbs. I was diagnosed with Strep Throat on 5/9/15 and prescribed Penicillin 500mg every 6 hours, which I started that evening. I experienced no side effects (aside from softer stool) until 5/18/15, when I started to get hives (on scalp). I immediately stopped taking the Penicillin, assuming that it was an allergic reaction to the medication. The following day, 5/19/15, hives worsened (on arms) and my hand started to swell. I began taking Benadryl, but hives and swelling continued. By that evening, my feet were also swollen. I continued taking Benadryl, which only seemed to alleviate itching, but hives and swelling remained. By 5/22/15, hives had moved from my arms to my legs, but remained on scalp and hand remained swollen. I went to Urgent Care and got a shot of Bendaryl. The following morning hives remained and my lip was swollen. That night, 5/22/15, I had moderate muscle aches that kept me from continuing normal activity. I stopped taking Benadryl, because I wanted everything out of my system and was unsure if I was having a reaction to Benadryl. Today is 5/26/15 and I continue having hives come and go. Last night, my entire midsection was covered in hives and today they are on my scalp and my palms are itchy and sensitive as well as the bottoms of my feet. The Urgent Care provider also prescribed Pepcid but I have not yet picked up the prescription. Should I see a doctor again or wait out the symptoms? Will the Pepcid relieve itchiness and rashes?
Mon, 8 Feb 2021
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,

Your problem seems to be a reaction to penicillin. You are advised to take anti-allergic like Cetirizine or Loratadine etc., once or twice a day depending on your symptoms. If it does not work, then a short course of oral steroids may be taken. Local application of some anti-allergic or steroid ointment may be required. Withdrawal of the drug should be in a gradual tapering manner. Try to reduce the dose of steroids first and then, once you are completely off the steroids, the reduction of other anti-allergic may be done.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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Suggest Remedy For Hives On Body After Starting Penicillin Dose

Hi, Your problem seems to be a reaction to penicillin. You are advised to take anti-allergic like Cetirizine or Loratadine etc., once or twice a day depending on your symptoms. If it does not work, then a short course of oral steroids may be taken. Local application of some anti-allergic or steroid ointment may be required. Withdrawal of the drug should be in a gradual tapering manner. Try to reduce the dose of steroids first and then, once you are completely off the steroids, the reduction of other anti-allergic may be done. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician