Rash after antibiotics
General
Unwanted reactions and side effects of antibiotics often show up on the skin. In most cases, the skin rashes are harmless and go away on their own when the drug is no longer taken. In very rare cases, more severe complications from the effects of antibiotics can occur. In older people in particular, skin changes often occur after taking antibiotics, as the liver and kidney functions are weakened and the antibiotics can therefore be broken down and excreted more slowly. In addition, taking multiple drugs at the same time increases the risk of side effects such as a rash from antibiotics, as is common in the elderly. Then there can be interactions between the various substances and the risk of skin reactions increases.
Symptoms
Unwanted Side effects on antibiotics can in principle occur in all organs, for example, the liver can be seriously damaged. But the skin reacts most often on substances in pharmaceuticals.
A rash caused by an antibiotic can look very different. The variations range from small spots resembling rubella up to large-spotted, slightly raised pustules like measles. Blisters filled with liquid, so-called blisters, can also form Wheals and the rash can spread all over the body. More rarely, other forms can occur - the rash can reticulated look small Skin bleeding show or extended Redness. The rash does not have to cause any discomfort, sometimes itching occurs.
In most cases, the rash is only about to appear two to five days after you start taking the antibiotic but allergic reactions can also occur immediately after ingestion. The greatest danger then is what is known as anaphylactic shock, an allergic reaction that leads to shortness of breath.
Please also read our article on this Antibiotic side effects
itching
Itching is a common one Accompanying symptom of drug eruptions. The exact mechanism of itching is not fully understood.
However, it is assumed that it is not mediated via pain receptors, but rather free nerve endings. Fabrics like histamine, which is released by white blood cells as part of pseudo-allergic reactions such as drug eruptions, stimulate these nerve endings. Obviously, however, the sensation can be overlaid by other stimuli such as cold or heat. For this reason, this often helps Cool the itchy skin. Also warm water can prevent itching. That being said, severe itching can cause a Antihistamine be prescribed.
causes
The antibiotics that are most likely to cause unwanted skin rashes are the so-called beta-lactam antibiotics. About 3% - 10% of all people who receive such an antibiotic will react with a rash. Only about a third of those affected have a real allergic reaction to the drug. In most people, the reaction on the skin is mediated by pseudo-allergic reactions, the exact mechanism behind this has not yet been conclusively clarified.
Pfeiffer's glandular fever is another common cause of a rash after taking antibiotics. Pfeiffer's glandular fever is an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), against which no antibiotic can help, as antibiotics only work against bacteria. The diagnosis of the disease is not easy, however, and a bacterial infection is often suspected. If someone with glandular fever is mistakenly given the antibiotic amoxicillin, a skin rash will almost always develop, which is caused by the interaction of the virus and the antibiotic.
In addition, in rare cases, a serious immune reaction can occur and a so-called Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Lyell syndrome, in which the skin becomes detached and painful blisters and mucous membrane ulcerations occur. The group of sulfonamide antibiotics are particularly known for this.
For further information please also read our page Penicillin rash.
Illustration rash after taking antibiotics
skin rash
after taking antibiotics
Symptoms:
- Small the rubella
similar spots - Large-spotted pustules
(vesicles filled with pus) - Wheals (bumps
the skin with fluid
are filled)
Risk factor:
A - in the elderly
(Liver and kidney function
is weakened)
B - several drugs
(taken at the same time)
C - sunlight, solarium
(Influence of UV light)
D - during pregnancy
(medical clarification,
Benefit-harm-risk!)
E - with baby or Klenkind
(See doctor)
Treatment:
F - drug discontinuation
and see a doctor
G - cooling the affected
Skin areas (cold cloths)
H - moistening
with chamomile tea
J - arnica ointments
and marigold ointment
K - oatmeal with warm
Apply mixed water as a pack
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is a very common antibiotic that is related to penicillins, but has a wider range of effects compared to them. This makes it a suitable drug for respiratory infections and otitis media. At this point it is important to know that Antibiotics exclusively against bacteria and in a few cases are effective against parasites and fungi, but not against viruses. It is not uncommon, however, to prescribe an antibiotic for viral infections if the symptoms are suspected to be bacterial. Not only is this often useless, but it can also have serious side effects. In the case of amoxicillin in particular, pseudoallergies are the result if this is prescribed if streptococcal angina is suspected but a virus infection is actually present.
Classic kick Drug eruption by amoxicillin especially when the patient has what is known as infectious Mononucleosis, also known as Pfeiffer's glandular fever. This disease is the result of infection with the Epstein-Barr Viruswhose symptoms may well resemble those of angina.
It is still not known why the combination of virus and amoxicillin causes the sometimes severe rashes. However, as soon as the ingestion of the antibiotic is recognized as the cause of the rash, this sets in Discontinuation of the drug the most important measures.
As with other drug eruptions, applying a cortisone ointment Create relief. Apart from that, a procedure including a possible test for the Epstein-Barr virus should be discussed with the attending physician.
Rash after antibiotics and sun exposure
A large number of different drugs are now known to be used in combination with UV light phototoxic reactions can trigger. This means that under the influence of UV light substances can be formed that have a damaging or toxic influence on the tissue. This process can be done by sunlight, but even stronger through im solarium used light can be triggered.
The reactions represent one Special shape of the Drug eruption and can occur both with external application and ingestion of the medication.
Besides certain Painkillers, Neuroleptics, Vitamin A supplements for acne therapy and even herbal supplements Johannis herbs, valerian and arnica Antibiotics in particular are known to have a strong phototoxic effect. The top priority here is the antibiotic Doxycycline. This is followed by other substances from the group of tetracycline antibiotics, but also so-called gyrase inhibitors.
In order to clarify whether there is actually a photosensitization for a drug, a test with UV-A and UV-B light in increasing intensity can be carried out. However, the suspected drug must not be discontinued beforehand.
diagnosis
If a rash occurs immediately or a few days after taking an antibiotic, or if it goes away quickly after stopping the drug, the connection between the antibiotic and the rash can be quickly identified. To find out whether a real allergic reaction is behind the symptoms, a so-called prick test can be carried out. There are certain Allergen solutions given on the forearm or back and the Skin slightly scratched. Certain can also be found in the blood antibody be proven that the Differentiation between allergic and pseudoallergic reactions enables.
Treatment - What to do with rash after antibiotics
The most important thing to do with a rash after taking antibiotics is this immediate discontinuation of the drug. It should definitely be a Consulted a doctor to investigate the cause of the rash. For example, if there is a viral instead of one bacterial inflammation stopping the antibiotic is sufficient. However, if it is still necessary to take antibiotics, it should be checked which other preparation is possible. For this, it may be useful to use diagnostic methods to find out whether it is a real allergic reaction to the drug or just a pseudo-allergic reaction. Is there a real allergic reaction on certain antibiotics, this drug and chemically related substances should no longer be taken in the future, as undesirable reactions can again be expected. Here is the exhibition one Allergy pass sensible, which should be presented by the person concerned to both the doctor and the pharmacy.
Home remedies for a rash after antibiotics
As far as home remedies are concerned, cooling the affected areas of the skin is particularly effective. This reduces the blood flow and thus the accumulation of fluid in the vesicles and inhibits the inflammatory processes. Ideally, cold cloths are used for this. Ice packs are just as helpful if wrapped in towels beforehand.
Furthermore, moistening the affected skin with chamomile tea is described as particularly effective. For some time now, scientists have been researching the effects of chamomile on the body and metabolism. In addition, arnica ointments and marigold ointments are particularly recommended, as are solutions obtained by soaking oat flakes in water.
Read more about this under Home remedies for a rash
Do I have to stop taking the antibiotic?
As soon as it is suspected that a drug is responsible for a rash, it should be used be dropped off; be discontinued; be deducted; be dismissedto enable or accelerate the healing of the exanthema.
This can be particularly problematic if several drugs are taken at the same time and it is therefore not clear which drug caused the rash.
It may also be important to keep taking an antibiotic if an adequate replacement cannot be found or if it is being used to treat a serious infection. In this case, drug therapy is carried out Glucocorticoids and possibly Antihistamines expanded.
Prognosis - How long will the symptoms last?
Intolerance reactions on antibiotics often express themselves after taking antibiotics within minutes or hours. Rarely, the rash occurs a few days after you start taking it. How long the rash lasts varies widely and depends on the type and severity of the reaction. In the case of slight intolerance reactions, the rash will subside on its own after a few hours or days as soon as the antibiotic is no longer taken.In the case of allergic reactions, and especially if the rash does not appear until a few days later, it can take a little longer for the rash to completely resolve. Basically, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the exact causes of the rash. If the rash stops lmore than a few days on, is possibly any cause other than an intolerance reaction on the antibiotic and appropriate treatment may be necessary.
Rash in pregnancy
You can of course also during pregnancy Drug eruption occur as a result of taking an antibiotic or other medication. The problem here, however, is that different skin diseases cause similar skin symptoms.
In fact, there are even a number of so-called pregnancy dermatoses, that is Skin disorders, which during pregnancy (Skin diseases during pregnancy) occur. This includes, for example, the polymorphic rash of pregnancy, which leads to a skin rash and may be very similar to a drug eruption.
Changes in the body should be given a lot of attention, especially during pregnancy. Even if neither drug eruptions nor pregnancy dermatoses are acutely threatening for mother or child, one should in any case medical evaluation of the complaints.
Rash after antibiotics in the baby or toddler
In small children and babies, drug intolerance can occur for various reasons. Often, for example, there are overdoses or interactions when several drugs are administered at the same time. The toddler is usually given an antibiotic for the first time in his life, which is why allergies are not yet known. Fortunately, however, real penicillin allergies, which are accompanied by a rash, shortness of breath and circulatory shock (anaphylactic reaction), are very rare in children.
In children or babies, the rash on the antibiotic amoxicillin is the most common cause of drug-related rashes. Amoxicillin is a very effective broad-spectrum antibiotic, which is why it is used very often. In some cases, the skin rashes appear impressive and itchy all over the body, but it is harmless and will go away after you stop taking the drug. If a baby or toddler develops a rash related to antibiotic use, a doctor should be seen to determine the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.
Read more on this topic at: Rash on baby
You might also be interested in: Streptococcal rash
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