Would you give anti-biotics to your kid if you were allergic?

*** Heading should read would you give antibiotics to your kids if you were allergic ***

Both my poor little ones have ended up on anti-biotics after a cold turned into a chest infection..

The problem is I am severely allergic to penecillion which they are both on. Neither child was awake before DH left for work this morning at 6.30 so I am supposed to give it.. I have already had a reaction (sat my spoon on sink next to what I thought was a washed medicine syringe, and proceeded to make coffee).. Within a few minutes, I discovered that syringe wasn't washed cause I have a fat lip (and that was from an extremely diluted amount :o).

I have asked a friend to come by after she drops her children off to school, but just wondering what others would do.. Would you risk giving it to them on time, or waiting an extra 2 hrs and getting someone else to do it (and I know i still have to wait the full 8 hrs before administering again)?

I would wait, if a small amount has left you with a fat lip, then I wouldn't risk giving it to them and accidently getting some on yourself. Even if you have to wait 8 hours till the next dose it will still be within a decent time period. For your own safety, I would wait, 2 hours isnt going to make too dramatic impact.

There are other antibiotics that you could ask for instead of. Just say that you have an allergy and are concerned your kids may have it too.

ETA: you could also get your child to get an allergies test.

Im the same with penicillin so my dr has never given DS penicillin for that exact reason

I tried to give DD2 neurofen last night with a syringe - it ended up all over her hair, her clothes and the floor as she didn't want to take it and ended up spitting it everywhere. So, in a nutshell, NO I wouldn't try to give something that I was allergic to to my kids. They are so unpredictable with medicine that you are more than likely going to end up with some of it on you and you will end up having a reaction. Wait the extra time to be on the safe side.

Penicillin is a really common drug suitable for lots of conditions. I wouldn't automatically assume that my child is allergic but I wouldn't give it for the first time without medical supervision. It is worth getting another drug for the moment (to get rid of the chest infection) and then seeing if your doctor would give a controlled small amount of penicillin at a later date to see if your child does have an allergy.

I would get someone else to do it so that you don't risk having any more. But I wouldn't assume an allergy in your child (I presume your dr knew about your allergy). My sister has a penicillin allergy and she's the only one in our family.

Have you got some antihistamine in the house to take? It might help your lip.

For your safety - try to get someone else to give it to them due to your allergy.

As for having something else prescribed for them / allergy testing - it is not usually required at this stage and it is not the first dose (generally) that gives an allergic reaction. You can develop an allergy (or true anaphylaxis) after many exposures to something or you can have an anaphylactoid reaction (same symptoms but without the immune system being involved) after a first exposure. Penicillin is a safe medication for most people and suited to many conditions. Talk to your doctor about alternatives if you are concerned, or more importantly question with your doctor each time antibiotics are prescribed whether they are actually needed or being given JIC. Unfortunately antibiotics are given far too frequently for viral illnesses.

I am significantly allergic to penicillin but so far neither child has shown any issues with it. Having said that, I was exposed to many, many, many courses of antibiotics for tonsillitis before the age of 4 which I believe lead to my allergy to the medication.

Thank you all..

My children don't react to it (just me at moment). But I was able to have penecillian when I was younger, so I always keep a close eye on them when they have it.

My friend came by and she administered it for me.. After that small amount, I wasn't prepared to risk it..

And yep, I found some polarmine in the cupboard (but I was eyeing of the children's version in the fridge if I didn't find any in the medicine cabinet..)

Its okay to give a couple of hours late.

And definitely as for something other than a penicillin based next time, they are available and work just as effective.

I use amoxicillin or erythramycin. DH was allergic to penicillin as a baby, so I didn't risk it. All have had it at some stage, but DD1 we've now found out is allergic to erythramycin, so we steer clear of that one for her.
We were lucky though, it was just a rash with her allergy, nothing more serious.