Symptoms of an Antibiotic Allergy

Antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor to treat bacterial infections that you already have or given to you before surgery to prevent you from getting a new infection. Although antibiotics are generally regarded as safe when properly used, you may develop an allergic reaction to them. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, symptoms of an allergy to antibiotics include skin changes and difficulty breathing.

Difficulty Breathing

• Antibiotic allergies may cause you to experience difficulty breathing, including wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing.

Hives

• Hives, which are also called wheals, are symptom of antibiotic allergies that can quickly form on your skin and look like red or pink swellings that are firm to the touch.

Itching

• You may develop intense itching all over your skin--as well as inside of your mouth and throat--as a result of an antibiotic allergy.

Rash

• You may notice a red rash on your skin or redness in your mouth, which may be itchy or tender to the touch and is a symptom of antibiotic allergies.

Swelling

• Symptoms of antibiotic allergies that may become life-threatening include swelling of your mouth, tongue, throat, lips, or face.

Shock

• Anaphylactic shock is a medical emergency that results if you have a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics, and it can develop quickly after taking even just one dose of medication.