Penicillin Testing

Dr. Brauer offers penicillin skin testing for children and adults. It’s easy and safe, and it takes only one hour to complete. Make an appointment today if:

It has been more than 5 years since your last reaction to penicillin
You grew up thinking you were allergic to penicillin
You have a history of mild or unknown reactions to penicillin

How It Works

The penicillin test occurs in three stages:

Prick/Puncture Testing: Dr. Brauer will apply penicillin to your arm to see if a reaction occurs.
Intradermal Testing: If you test negative after the first step, Dr. Brauer will perform intradermal testing by injecting your arm just under the skin’s surface.
Oral Challenge: Dr. Brauer will give you a dose of penicillin and monitor for a period of time to gauge your reaction to it.

The Importance of Penicillin Testing

One out of every 10 Americans believes they are allergic to penicillin. However, 90% of people who report having a penicillin allergy are not actually allergic. Of the people who are allergic, the majority will out-grow their allergy within 5 years.

Why do people believe they are allergic to penicillin? Often, side effects are confused with allergies. The rash you experience after taking penicillin might not be an allergy—it could be your body’s natural response to the medicine, or it could be caused by your illness.

Alternatives to penicillin are more expensive and more toxic, and they contribute to the growing prevalence of drug-resistant illnesses. Penicillin-allergic patients pay up to 60% more for treatments than those without the allergy.

Make an Appointment With Dr. Brauer Today

At Bluegrass Family Allergy, we provide personalized treatments for children and adults with allergies. If you or your child has a perceived penicillin allergy, call us today at (270) 228-2811 to make an appointment.

To speed-up your check-in process, visit our patient information page to read and download the forms you’ll need on your first visit.