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All You Need to Know about PCN Testing

Writer's picture: Mysaaller GistMysaaller Gist


Penicillin and associated antibiotics are some of the oldest and most popularly used antibiotics accessible. They are very active against a wide variety of contaminations, are low-cost, and are usually well tolerated. Unfortunately, there are many people who think they are allergic to penicillin, up to 10% of the people reporting an allergy symptom for penicillin. Studies show that however when people who report being allergic to penicillin are tested for the allergy, approximately 90% are not allergic. PCN testing at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center plays a significant role in eliminating such confusion.

This testing is available, is a fairly simple procedure, and most often leads an individual who thought they were allergic to the penicillin to find out that they are not really allergic to the antibiotic, or are no longer allergic. Most allergists have the capability to make penicillin allergy testing.


Evading Penicillin Can Lead to Other Complications


Most people with a penicillin allergy avoid taking penicillin and associated antibiotics, as there is a wide assortment of other antibiotics to take should an infection happen. But is this the right method to take? Numerous studies show that when an individual is labeled as penicillin-allergic, several complications may rise as a result of being given other antibiotics.

First, the price of taking non-penicillin antibiotics goes up vividly. Studies show that the normal cost of antibiotics in a patient with a penicillin allergy is about 60 times greater than in those without a penicillin allergy. Secondly, the use of non-penicillin antibiotics, particularly in a hospital setting, upsurges the risk for the growth of infections by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, like vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. Finally, the use of non-penicillin antibiotics also put an individual at higher risk of developing Clostridium difficile colitis, a perilous infection of the bowels caused by the use of strong antibiotics. So, you should not avoid taking penicillin. If you are worried about taking penicillin, make sure you conduct an allergy testing San Antonio.


How PCN Testing Is Performed


Usually, skin prick testing is performed first that is able to recognize the most sensitive penicillin-allergic people. If skin hole testing is positive, the person then is considered to be allergic to penicillin, and no added testing is done. If skin prick testing is negative, then intradermal skin testing is executed with the same materials. Intradermal skin testing recognizes more people with penicillin allergy but is possibly dangerous in the most sensitive people. This is the cause why skin prick testing is performed first. All these procedures are safely done at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center. Our board-certified allergist San Antonio can perform all these testing with high efficiency.

If you are confused about penicillin allergy, then you must perform a PCN testing at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center. We spend a substantial amount of time explaining your diagnosis, accessible testing, and treatment plan. Cosmetic and aesthetic treatments plans are also provided by us. Contact us for a safe allergy treatment.

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About 50 million Americans suffer from asthma, hay fever, or other allergic conditions.

 

You can see them across the room - handkerchiefs in hand, sneezing, sniffing, blowing nose, watering and rubbing their eyes. This is a common presentation for millions of children and adults who suffer from the misery of allergies. If you're lucky, these symptoms are just a minor inconvenience, but if they're severe they can significantly affect your quality of life. Allergist in San Antonio involving the nose (rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis) are almost always caused by the contact of a harmful "allergen" with the mucous membranes of the nose or eyes. Constant exposure to the allergic person can cause daily symptoms, resulting in what the doctor would diagnose as persistent, chronic, or perennial allergic rhinitis. Common allergens responsible for these chronic symptoms can include dust mites, mold spores, indoor pets, cockroach or feather allergens.

 

You may want to consider visiting an allergist at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Center if the following symptoms are present daily or seasonally:

 

• Itchy, swollen, red and watery eyes

• Itchy nose, ears, eyes or throat

• A runny nose

• To sneeze

• Stuffy nose

• Persistent post-nasal drip

 

Allergic rhinitis is actually one of the easiest diagnoses your doctor can make. If medical history suggests allergic rhinitis, an allergist will likely perform allergy tests to confirm the diagnosis, identify the offending allergens, and determine the severity of the allergy. The testing method for food allergy immunotherapy preferred by most allergists is the skin test. Multiple allergens can be tested simultaneously with this method, with results available immediately. Alternatively, similar results can be obtained from a blood test called RAST or ImmunoCap.

 

Once the relevant allergens have been identified, an allergist will recommend a comprehensive immunotherapy for food allergies. This plan may include any or all of the following:

 

• Environmental Control - Minimize exposure to allergens you are sensitive to

• Pharmacotherapy: medications, including antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

• Immunotherapy or desensitization – Extracts of allergens (pollen, dust, mold, etc.) are introduced into the body to trigger an immunological response, ultimately reducing or eliminating the allergic response. 

 

Historically, this form of treatment by allergist in San Antonio was only available by injection. Thanks to recent advances, the desensitization process can now be administered to select patients by taking drops under the tongue, a process called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

 

Allergy sufferers are also asthma specialists. Allergists at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Center are often consulted by primary care physicians to help manage asthma symptoms in children and adults. Tools such as lung function tests or botox injections are widely used by allergists to monitor a person's lung function and response to therapy. Additionally, an allergist will take a detailed medical history to try to identify asthma triggers and create a treatment plan based on what is causing or worsening asthma symptoms.

 

At least half of all asthma patients have a significant allergic component that needs to be identified and treated. An allergist at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Center will perform the necessary tests and create a treatment plan based on your allergies and sensitivities.


The allergist in San Antonio is a crucial player in a team wellness approach. Working closely with the GP, patient and family can maximize the likelihood of good health and excellent control of allergy and asthma symptoms.

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