Allergic reaction to Antibiotic Keflex (Cephalexin)??

[Dreynolds]

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?

[Cupcake1102]

I actually have the almost same thing as you and am trying to figure out what it is. I have been on 30 days of antibiotics for some kind of throat infection. First had Cephalexin, didnt work, then had doxycycline, didnt work, and then had metronidazole. Still have my throat problem, going to specialist. Anyways, on my last cycle of pills on day 7 started noticing the red pimple like bumps all over my chest which weren't there ever before. Then I also started generalized itching not where the spots are.

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!

[lu415]

This sound similar to what I'm going through right now.  Here's my problem:

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.

[idesofmarch]

ditto on the pillpack,it works miracles on many things!

[idesofmarch]

Oops, I didn't read last post right.  Most people have miracules results with that 7 day pillpack. I had a allergic reaction to sulfa drugs for sinus infection. I had a full body rash for the whole summer because nothing took it away. I was lucky enough to have a smarter doctor prescribe the medodose (sp?) pillpack and all went away before the week was up.  Since then I had needed it for other infections and so has many people that I know, all with good results.  Another miracle drug is called a Z pack (I think) and it works great on infections. Just one pill a day I believe it was. It is in the sulfa family but not enough to cause me a allergic reaction.  Good Luck & happy Easter

[KathiKY1]

I was prescribed this medication post-surgery for my rotator cuff (preventative measure?). After just a few doses, I had the same reaction of hives, itching, etc. I stopped taking the medication and kept the bottle to refer to when I'm asked what I'm allergic to.

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.

[LoriG38]

My tongue is so swollen I can't speak properly, can't swallow, and can't breath well through my mouth.  It has bumps all over it and is even splitting down the center.  Tomorrow is Monday so am seeing doc. in the morning.  The doctor's exchange nurse was no help, she thought I kept saying toe and when someone else took the phone to tell her about it, she was telling a story about when she got poinson ivy...I don't itch anywhere and don't have poison ivy.  I hung up on the nurse.  Anyway, will update with what doc says tomorrow and what remedy is.

[LoriG38]

Mine is a fungal infection caused by the cephalexin and I still have a bacterial infection in my toes (which is why I was on ceph to begin with.) Anyway, I am now on Levaquin and a "Magic Mouthwash" of Benadryl, Malox, and Nystatin...mixed 1:1:1.  (equal parts.)

[annie44]

I took cephalexin for a UTI and the symptoms worsened. AFter 7 days, they put me on Nitrofurantoin -- it turns out I didn't need it because the urine culture showed no bacteria, but did the clinic bother to call and tell me that? NO! So I took a 10-day course of the latter needlessly. It's been just over a month, and I am still having weird UTI-like symptoms, but numerous cultures have shown I'm bacteria-free. I have vaginal/pelvic pain, a feeling of burning near the urethra, cramping. I'm wondering if I had an allergic reaction to one or both of those meds? If ANYONE out there has experienced something similar, please respons! Thanks

[Connie799]

Why would I have to take antibotic (antibiotic) cephalexin for such a long period of time (20 days) for sinus infection??

[avicenna582]

cephalexin may cause rash if you take it for pharyngitis caused by mono (mononucleosis, that usually presents with fatigue, pharyngitis, swollen glands).

[lau_ren]

i was taking cephalexin for a razor rash i had on my vulva, after i started to take it i began to break out in little red hives, they are on my thighs and on the flabby parts of my upper arms does cephalexin cause rashes if your allergic?

[jenn913]

I had eczema on 2 fingers. dr. gave me keflex, now i have an itchy red bumpy rash on my entire body. now im going to try Erythoromycin. for the eczema or rash? maybe both? lets hope so.

[boknip]

I took cephalexin for a skin disorder and after the second capsule my neck got swollen and sore and I couldn't swallow.  I rushed to the hospital and they diagnosed me with cellulitis and they treated me with other anti-biotics.  Has anyone else had a similar reaction?

[leegordon79]

My wife cut her foot badly about 6 months ago. She was put on cephalexin and late into her course of the antibiotics she started having the small red bumps and generalised itching all over her body. Dr gave her a cortisone shot that took it away for a couple days. Itching came back a couple days later and keeps occurring on and off every couple days. She event went through allergy testing and a full blood panel to look at thyroid etc. Now six months later family Dr says it is probably from that course of cephalexin she took 6 mos ago! He says it could last up to two years!!! How can this be possible. I can't believe any trace of that drug or its side effects could possibly stay with your body for two years!???? HELP!!!

[ereid]

I took keflex the end of aug. 2008. It has ruined my life. I have been going to many drs. It gave me vaginititis, gastritis and problems with my intestines. Now i am having nerve problems and many other problems. Drs. don't have a clue how to help me. Everyday is hard to get thru. Now to hear it will take up to two years. God help us. I i to had all those test and there are a few areas of concern but not all of those are systems are related to the keflex.I have not had any of my problems until i took the keflex. Please be careful with this drug.

[Myke577]

On 3 separate occasions I have experienced a mysterious itchy rash, starting as red bumps (mostly on my side torso but also on my legs and arms).  On all 3 occasions the rash started around a week or more after finishing a course of cephalexin.  The rash stayed for several weeks (to several months in one case) and full bloods were taken and I was allergy tested for everything obvious.  The only link between the rashes was the cephalexin.  The rash responded to oral steroid medication but came back as soon as the steroids were stopped.

[queenB33]

I hope all of you taking antibiotics are taking a quality pro-biotic (good bacteria) for months after finishing your course. Your stomach and intestines have just been stripped. Your intestines are 85% of your immune system and your idiot doctors have just killed your immune system. Research it and start now with your pro-biotic. I can guarantee your rashes will go away once your system is back in balance. Everyone should be on a daily pro-biotic for three months and at least 2 days a week after that for the rest of your life. My kids have NEVER had a stomach virus in school or been on Antibiotics because of this. Shoot we don't even need a Dr. Please research it.

[jodiechristine]

omg i cut my foot and needed stitches the doc put me on keflex cephalexin 500mg around the 11 day of taking 3 a day along with inner heath plus i noticed my hands feet and ears came really really itch like itchy and pins and needles at the same time it feels really bad and uncomptable, would anyone know how long this will take to go away, it happens to me about twice a day!

please somebody help!

[loubell]

I had a allergic reaction to grapefruit 7mo ago while pregnant w my daughter  who is 5mo old now. It scared me to death now im scared to take any meds or try anything new!! I have bad infec in my throat an my dr gave me cephlalexin(liquid cause i cant swallow pills) yesterday but im scared. What are the chnces of my throat swelling up w this????

[Shoover]

So in late June I started with this weird throat infection and I have been on 5 rounds of antibiotics, though the cultures and blood came back normal and they have no idea what it is. On top of that, I have had a staph UTI since August that I have taken 4 rounds of antibiotics for and it won't go away! I went to the doctor's last week and got on Bactrim, but after I took it I started feeling pins and needles in my face and my whole body itched a little bit. It was very uncomfortable and it lasted for two days even after I stopped the medication. Now I don't know what to do. All of the antibiotics I have been on have been different, but none of them are working and my stomach is so messed up. Luckily I haven't had throat symptoms in 2 weeks, but I'm still scared to say I'm better and my kidneys hurt really bad from this UTI. I'm calling the doctor tomorrow so she can put me on yet another antibiotic, but I have serious doubts that it will work. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do next or has anyone been through something similar. I just want to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks.

[tante1937]

I went on cephalexin one week ago for infection in stitches in my foot after bunion/hammertoe surgery.
All was well until Sunday evening when I began itching.  I've itched uncontrollably for the past two days, even though I stopped the medication Sunday evening.  Last night it was very bad at 11:30pm.  I went online and found that taking a Benadryl (antihistamine) could help.  I did and it did!  It is bearable today.
However the medication has messed up my stomach so I can hardly stand the smell of food, caused heartburn and made me pee bright orange.  That I can tolerate, but I'm also turning orange.
Surely this will wear off within a day or so, won't it?  
This is one more medication I will have to put on my "allergic to" list!  

[LS11192]

about a week and a half ago i got impetigo on my chin.  this is typically caused by a strep infection, so i also had a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and some cold-like symptoms.  my doctor prescribed me with cephalexin/keflex (500mg, 4x a day) to get rid of the step bacteria and an ointment to get rid of the impetigo.  the ointment got rid of the impetigo fairly quickly, but i still wasn't feel very well and i had a continuous cough.  i have been on this antibiotic for exactly a week.  last night, i started to notice red spots up and down my arms and a little bit on my thighs.  i woke up around 6 this morning completely covered in this rash, which had gotten a ton worse over night, and it itches terribly.  i went to the doctor's at 10am and he told me it wasn't an allergic reaction, because those look more like hives and they would've appeared right when i started taking the antibiotic.  he gave me claritin to help get rid of the itching.  he said it is probably a viral infection, but he sent me to get a blood test for mono down at the hospital just in case, because this is how mono reacts to antibiotics.  my blood test results still haven't come back, but my rash has gotten worse and more itchy.  my face is even all red and a little swollen, and i can't imagine going out in public anytime soon.  i stopped taking the antibiotic after last night and haven't taken it at all today.
it scares me when i read that other people who have taken cephalexin have gotten a rash about a week after they started taking it, especially the ones who say it lasted weeks or months.  i cannot imagine dealing with this for more than a day or two.