Amoxicillin Rash – Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, Precautions and Treatment

What is Amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is a drug used for treatment of bacterial infections. It is readily available in many forms such as tablets, capsules, oral suspensions, etc.

What is an Amoxicillin Rash?

Picture 1 – Amoxicillin Rash
Source – buzzle

Amoxicillin rash is a side effect reaction of the drug and can occur five days after use. Although amoxicillin rash may appear scary for most parents, there is no specific treatment for amoxicillin rashes. The only amoxicillin rash treatment would be to continue using antibiotics.  The amoxicillin rash duration is generally 3 days although it can extend to 6 days.

Is AmoxicillinRash dangerous?

Amoxicillin rash mostly affects children; amoxicillin rash in adult is also reported. The condition is only dangerous when it is accompanied by specific symptoms.

Mono Amoxicillin Rash

Non allergic Amoxicillin rashes are common in patients with infectious mononucleosis.

More about Amoxicillin drug

Amoxicillin drugs belong to the penicillin group of drugs. Being administered orally, they are absorbed faster than other antibiotics such as lactic antibiotics. This makes it very popular as compared to other antibiotics.

Some of the bacterial infections that are treated using amoxicillin include:

• auricle infections
• Sinuses infections
• tummy infections
• throat infections
• vesica infections
• certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Side effects of Amoxicillin drug

Although it treats these infections, amoxicillin leaves its own side effects. The skin may redden leading to allergic amoxicillin rashes. Amoxicillin being an antibiotic has its own consequences. Although most of these side effects are not life threatening, it is necessary to seek medical help for some of the side effects. Read more on Amoxicillin Side Effects ..

When to seek medical treatment for Amoxicillin Rash?

Rash from amoxicillin is one of the many side effects that are not life threatening. However, you should seek treatment for allergy to amoxicillin if it continues itching for up to 6 days.

A medical research carried out by the University of Michigan indicates that about half of all youngsters that use amoxicillin as a cure for bacterial infections develop amoxicillin rash.

Types of Amoxicillin allergy Rashes

There are numerous types of amoxicillin allergy rashes that are caused by use of amoxicillin. These include:

• Erythematous rashes: These are rashes that cause the skin to redden. In addition, the affected area may be raised and discolored.
• Exfoliative rashes: These are rashes that leads to skin itching that can easily spread to other areas.
• Purulent rashes: They are rashes that lead to painful and pus filled skin spots.

In addition to these and several other rashes, amoxicillin, like other penicillin drugs can cause anaphylaxis which is a life threatening condition. Anaphylaxis is characterized by respiratory problems. It can also cause a highly sensitive reaction known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This condition is characterized with severe blistering and reddened rashes that cause the top layer of the skin to slough off.

Causes of Amoxicillin Rash

Hives is one symptom that appears as a result of an allergic reaction. Hives consists of flat and red spots that are just side effects of using amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin rash may also occur in adults using other forms of penicillin e.g. ampicillin.

An insensitive amoxicillin rash may be a result of an infection like mononucleosis infection.

Amoxicillin Rash in babies and children

Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly used drugs in treatment of bacterial infections in children. Small children are given fewer doses than their older counterparts. However, the drug has several side effects.

Hyper allergic reactions can appear in children using amoxicillin medication. The most common side effect is amoxicillin rashes in children. Baby amoxicillin rash first leaves a reddened skin that later turn to become rashes or irritation. You can choose to stop using the drug in case of severe symptoms. However, in most times, amoxicillin side effects rash in children will disappear with time (not more than 6 days). Note that not all rashes are caused by allergic reaction from the use of amoxicillin. It is important to consult a physician before making conclusions on the cause of any rash.

If the kid is allergic to amoxicillin, it means that he/she cannot use amoxicillin or other forms of penicillin at least for some time.

Even months-old babies can get amoxicillin rash. Amoxicillin rash scares many children and their parents. It is mostly a side effect of using amoxicillin to treat bacterial infections.

It is of utmost importance that parents contact health care providers as soon as they spot rashes in baby after administering antibiotics.

Amoxicillin Rash in adults

Like children, adults can get amoxicillin rash. The amoxicillin rash signs may not be diagnosed early because amoxicillin rash may affect the adults long after you have stopped using the drugs. If someone is allergic to certain other substances or food and gets exposed to those items, it can be greatly misleading.

Symptoms of Amoxicillin Rash

Allergy to amoxicillin produces side effects to the users such as diarrhea, fever, skin rash, nausea and vomiting. Appearance of these side effects calls for immediate medical attention.

Symptoms such as change in normal functioning of mind, fever and intense itching also calls for immediate medical solution.

Other symptoms of amoxicillin rash include:

• Itching: is a skin irritation or sensation that prompts a desire to scratch the affected region.
• Maculo-papular rash is characterized by red small swelling on the skin.
• Hives: hives are itchy swellings that appear after taking 1 or 2 doses of amoxicillin.

Prognosis of Amoxicillin Rash

Children affected by Stevens-Johnson syndrome require close hospital monitoring usually in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) since the condition is life-threatening.

Anaphylaxis is also fatal if medical help is not sought immediately.

Prevention of Amoxicillin Rash

Children who have already experienced allergies to all types of penicillin should avoid antibiotics and amoxicillin. Antibiotics such as oxacillin, ampicillin and others should also not be used.

Youngsters who have medical records showing that they are allergic to antibiotics should also not be allowed to use them because they have a high chance of developing allergic reactions. Parents are supposed to provide health care providers with medical allergy records of their children to avoid administration of new antibiotics. In addition, it is important to tell the doctor how the child developed the problem. Provide your doctor with detailed information about all the symptoms that your child experienced with the amoxicillin rashes.

Treatment of Amoxicillin Rash

There is only basic treatment for amoxicillin rash. In many instances of mild rashes, treatment is not required. You’ll find that if amoxicillin rash is not accompanied by other complications, the rashes disappear by themselves within a few days.

For mild amoxicillin rashes, you can use an oatmeal bath to create a soothing effect. You can also choose to use an anti-itch pill to relieve the itching effect.

The patient can also drink plenty of water to aid in removal of infectious toxins. If your body is allergic to certain drugs, it is important to obey the instructions of the doctor to avoid developing allergic reactions. The doctor will also be able to prescribe different medications.

In some cases, the amoxicillin rashes disappear by themselves, so you can still continue taking the medications. However, if the symptoms are severe like intense itching, you can discuss with your health care provider and he may ask you to stop using the drugs.

How to help heal the skin after Amoxicillin Rash

Amoxicillin rash does not have to occur immediately you start using the drugs. In some instances the rash appears several days after you cease using the medication. In other instances, if the patient recovers it may be necessary to continue using the drugs.

To help your skin heal after a spell of an amoxicillin rash is vital. You can take an oatmeal bath to soothe the affected areas. Drinking plenty of water also helps to clean the system.

Precautions of Amoxicillin Rash

Breastfeeding mothers should consult a qualified medical professional because amoxicillin can be passed to the baby through breast milk. The doctor should also be aware if you are experiencing kidney problems.

Birth control pills are rendered ineffective if used simultaneously with amoxicillin.

In case your child experiences bloods in stool or watery diarrhea, it is necessary to seek medical help immediately. If amoxicillin rash is accompanied by breathing problems it is appropriate to visit a doctor. Another instance that medical help is necessary is when rashes graduate into hives. If your child is allergic to amoxicillin it means that even other types of penicillin drugs can result in allergic reactions. It is also necessary to consult the doctor. The doctor should be able to prescribe the best medicine for the condition.

Amoxicillin rash that extends beyond one week may be a sign of an additional infection. It is necessary to consult your doctor immediately. Another reason to consult your doctor, in case of amoxicillin rash, is breathing problems.

Pictures of Amoxicillin Rash

Check out some of the Amoxicillin Rash pictures to know more about the condition.

Picture 2 – Amoxicillin Rash Image
Source – wikimedia

Picture 3 – Amoxicillin Rash Photo
Source – wikimedia

In conclusion, it is important to take to take amoxicillin rash seriously especially where it is accompanied by severe symptoms like breathing problems and intense itching. This guide is very valuable in helping you to cope and deal with amoxicillin rash. Warning signs should be handled with care; only then you can rest assured that you can manage amoxicillin rash and its symptoms. Another point to remember is that in most instances, rashes disappear by themselves. If amoxicillin rash symptoms persist for more than a week, rush to your doctor for amoxicillin rash treatment.

Reference:

http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/Amoxicillin.htm

http://evans.amedd.army.mil/peds/pdf/amoxrash.pdf