Has anyone ever had a very very bad rash after taking a penicillin based antibiotic?

A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with Autoimmune hepatitis. She is on prednisolone and a calcium supplement. Before she was discharged home from the hospital she was given flucloxacillin; despite the fact that she has previously told them she was allergic to penicillin. It was given for cellulitis infection to the Iv site in her arm aquired in hospital. Now she is covered head to toe in a thick red rash that has swollen her legs and arms. It started at her head then is workin down her body now its on her torso and legs. It looks almost like she has a bad burn. Also on her face she has around her mouth a peeling kind of rash that is bloody and her lips are swollen and uncomfortable. It doesn't seem to affect her breathing, she has had this rash for over a week. Any ideas of the cause or has anyone had anything similiar in reaction to any of the drugs I listed. The antihistamine she is using is Zirtek. I would appreciate some help..

She has been to her GP when it began and she was sent home with an antihistamine. She is no longer on any antibiotic. Can reactions to those drugs carry out over a week or is likely that it is a different skin related illness... Her immune system is very low. Makes me wonder if its MRSA.

I am also allergic to penicillin and have the same rash if given by mistake. Your friend needs to go back, clearly this is not right and the Zirtek is not working. It can be life threatening so it's urgent, especially with the state she is in.

Penicillin allergic reactions can be dangerous, she needs a substitute for it quickly.

I am presuming your friend has been back to the GP and let him seen rash. If not i think they should get medical attention immediately.

My mum was given penicillin before they knew she was allergic and she nearly died. It started with a rash as her blood was being poisoned and although i was only 5 i can remember her lips going black through the day and she was rushed to hospital that night and was in there for 2 weeks.

You must seek medical attention immediately if you have not already as the burn type rash and peeling skin shows blood poisoning is happening

EDIT - by immediately i do mean NOW!

I use to be a nursing tech, and it sounds as if she has a very bad allergic reaction to the penicillin. She needs to consult her doctor as soon as possible or get a second opinion. She needs to do this as soon as possible since some allergic reactions can be life threating.

Yes an allergic reaction like this is quite common the most important thing is she stops the tablets and tel her doctor ASAP.

This is a pretty significant adverse reaction to the medication and your friend needs to contact her physician right away. I am confused as to why she was given the medication when she informed the hospital staff that she was allergic to penicillin.

Flucloxacillin is a penicillin - i have had amoxicillin and flucloxacillin for infections and been ok but last year i was given penicillin - I turned bright red from head to toe and had only had 2 tablets!! We have a family allergy to penicillin but this is the first time I have suffered.

I would suggest like all others for your friend to seek emergency attention asap and stop the flucloxacillin there are other antibiotics they can take - good luck

A serious reaction like this can take some time to get out of the system mine took three days after only 2 tabs

Have your friend go to the ER immediately. This sounds like more than an allergy. Some meds (like some antibiotics) can have a rare life-threatening side effect called Stevens Johnson Syndrome. It appears like an allergy but then then skin looks like it has severe burns. It can be life threatening so please have her go to the emergency room NOW and tell them exactly what has been happening

Unlikely that an allergic reaction would persist for a
week after exposure ceases.
This should be pursued vigorously, at first hand,
by her physician.

Non fooling around! Go to the Doctor or ER immediately. PCN allergy is common and yes, life threatening. Go!

The frist time I took penicillin and I got a rash from it.