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Dermatology Community
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Allergic reaction to Antibiotic Keflex (Cephalexin)??
by Dreynolds, Mar 30, 2007 12:00AM
A few weeks back I had a cold that ultimately led to a sinus infection. I went to the doc and they indeed confirmed the infection, and prescribed me a 7 day dosage of Cephalexin. After 7 days, there were still some lingering symptoms of the infection, so they prescribed me another 7 day course. I am at the end of that course and the sinusitis is gone.
However, just yesterday, I started itching all over and today I've noticed small, faint red bumps scattered all over my body essentially. These are, undoubtedly, the cause of the itching (though the itching is not incredibly bad). I have had an allergic reaction before to an antibiotic (don't remember what kind it was, but I was taking it for acne when I was a teenager) except that was full blown, head to toe hives that itched AWFULLY. This, so far, is just very small bumps that itch kinda like it feels when your skin gets dry.
Is it unusual to have a reaction that far into an antibiotic? That is the only thing I can think of that could be causing it? Could it be something I ate or drank with it? Anyone have a similar experience w/ an antibiotic at the end of the course?
However, just yesterday, I started itching all over and today I've noticed small, faint red bumps scattered all over my body essentially. These are, undoubtedly, the cause of the itching (though the itching is not incredibly bad). I have had an allergic reaction before to an antibiotic (don't remember what kind it was, but I was taking it for acne when I was a teenager) except that was full blown, head to toe hives that itched AWFULLY. This, so far, is just very small bumps that itch kinda like it feels when your skin gets dry.
Is it unusual to have a reaction that far into an antibiotic? That is the only thing I can think of that could be causing it? Could it be something I ate or drank with it? Anyone have a similar experience w/ an antibiotic at the end of the course?
Also wondering if this has anything to do with the long antibiotic use? I have been on antibiotics before just for a week and nothing happened but wondering if a longer period is perhaps what is making a reaction to them.
Hope we can figure out what is wrong!
I had tonsillitis so my Dr. proscribed the antibiotic Cipro (Ciprofloxacin HCL 500mg). I took it for 7 days around day 5 or 6 I noticed I was getting small red pimply bumps on my chest and neck. I waited hoping they would go away but they just got worse so I called my the Dr. He prescribed Methylprednisolone 4 mg, a low dose steroid that I had to take for 7 days. This caused my rash or hive or whatever to go way. Although 2 days after my 7 day dose was up they came back again. I called the Dr. again, who again prescribe another 7 days of Methylprednisolone (by the way this drug makes me feel crazy, I hate it). Again it worked the rash/hives were gone and 2 days after stopping they were back yet again!!!
So now it's 3 weeks after I stopped taking Cipro but I still have this rash.
I just went to a different Dr. who prescribed Lidex which is a cream. Hopefully this works. I'll keep you posted and I hope you get an answer to your problem as well.
Here's the weird part though... I take Duracef regularly for my skin condition, and Duracef is in the same drug family. I'd like to know if there could be some other ingredient in Cephalexin that is causing this mild allergic breakout.