Drug allergy, fixed drug eruption

[Cedarbeam]

mrbreezy wrote in on June 17th about a rash involving his genitals after using terciseptic. He also mentioned that he is allergic to penicillin and some other antibiotics. The symptoms he describes and the difficulty he was having finding a cure are very similar to the fixed drug reactions I have suffered for years from penicillin and sulfa drugs. An intense rash on my genitals and penis.

I would venture a guess that it was not the terciseptic that was causing the rash but an allergic reaction to penicillin. How is this possible when he doesn't say he took this drug? It is possible because this drug is in commercial meat and dairy products. I suffered for years because I didn't make the connection. I have been free of reactions for 6 years now by avoiding any food that might be contaminated with trace amounts of these antibiotics.

I would guess that mrbreezy is not aware of this and is frequently dosing himself with small amounts of these drugs unknowingly. In discussions I've had with USDA officials they are very aware of this problem and told me that as the population ages they are getting more reports of people suffering as the result of antibiotics in food. People become more sensitive over time and as they are exposed to more of these drugs.

Fixed drug reactions involve much more than skin. The reaction causes the body to make neurotoxins as well as histamine.  These reactions are systemic and it is difficult to turn them off once they start.

My answer to mrbreezy would be to avoid foods that might contain the drugs he is allergic to. I would also recommend a liquid diet while the reaction is going on and avoid simple carbohydrates as they seem to fuel the reaction in some way. Drink tons of water with electrolytes. Lots of antioxidants, vitamin C and bioflavonoids and natural anti-inflammatory herbs. Antihistamines and steroids should be prescribed as a last resort for those of us that have drug sensitivities.

Thank you,      

[Cedarbeam]

I read your question to Dr. Rockoff about the rash you where experiencing last summer and the fact that you are allergic to penicillin and other antibiotics. I had a similar experience and discovered that antibiotics in meat and dairy products could trigger this reaction in me. Your symptoms sound like a fixed drug reaction. If you keep exposing yourself to these drugs in the foods you eat you may continue to have these problems.

I disagree with Dr. Rockoff's advice or at least feel it left out the most important information. I now avoid foods that may contain penicillin and for six years have been free of these reactions. I hope you are doing better now. Check my journal entry under "islanddreamer" and see if this sounds at all like it may be helpful.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think your advice is quite poor.  If your assertions were true, then fixed drug eruptions to penicillin would be very common, whereas they are not.  To suggest that everyone with genital rashes and redness go on a liquid diet is just silly.  Allergic reactions don't go away unless the offending agent is stopped altogether, and people with genital rashes do get better with proper treatment, even if they are eating solid food.


Dr. Rockoff