Is It Normal For A Rash To Last Quite Long While Stopping An Antibiotic?

Posted on Thu, 11 Feb 2021

Question: Last Tuesday I went to the doctor what they thought to be strep throat. I had white patches and a high fever. I was prescribed 875 Amoxicillin twice a day. On Thursday I discovered what seemed to be a rash on my legs. I went back to the doctor on Friday. The doctor tested me for the flu which I was positive for. Since I didn%E2%80%99t need the antibiotics I stopped them. They tested my CBC which came back normal and did a throat culture which came back normal. It is now 5 days later and from the flu I feel better. No fever. 98.5-99.5 for the past week. I have trouble sleeping due to cough that comes at night. My big concern is my rash is still present and doesn%E2%80%99t seem to be subsiding even though I stopped the antibiotics last Friday. Here is are some pictures. The next opening my doctor has is Friday afternoon. Is it normal for a rash to last this long when stopping an antibiotic? Do I need to go to an urgent center?

to cough that comes at night. My big concern is my rash is still present and doesn%E2%80%99t seem to be subsiding even though I stopped the antibiotics last Friday. Here is are some pictures. The next opening my doctor has is Friday afternoon. Is it normal for a rash to last this long when stopping an antibiotic? Do I need to go to an urgent center?

Is it normal for a rash to last this long when stopping an antibiotic? Do I need to go to an urgent center?

Answered by Dr. Malik (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Consult with your doctor to take antihistamines (Benadryl)

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Amoxicillin is known to cause side effects such as skin rash. It is not necessarily an allergic reaction. A skin rash developed after the initial doses of the antibiotics and accompanied by itchiness, breathing difficulty, face or lip swelling are considered an allergic reaction. But if just a skin rash develops after few days the start of amoxicillin it is an immune reaction to the antibiotic.

In both cases the antibiotic should be stopped. Amoxicillin may cause skin rash any time during the treatment. The risk of skin rash increases if patients with viral infections (Infectious mononucleosis, upper respiratory viral infections) get treatment with the antibiotic.

Your normal CBC and negative strep throat test exclude bacterial infections. Also, the skin rash does not seem to be an allergic reaction. It is highly likely an immune reaction to amoxicillin. You do not need treatment for the rash. Please, do not worry, after stopping the antibiotic the rash will subside eventually.

Usually, the rash lasts for about a week (maybe longer). You do not need emergency visit now. You should visit if you develop difficulty breathing, facial or lip or swelling, wheezing. But you may consult with your doctor to take antihistamines (Benadryl) which may help you to speed up the recovery.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Malik (6 hours later)

Do I need to consult a doctor before I take the Benadryl?
Since I tested positive for flu last week and my symptoms are gone is it normal for cough at night so much? Anything to do to lessen it? That is really the only thing still bothering me from last week.
Thank you for your help.

Answered by Dr. Malik (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Benadryl relieves your night-time cough

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome and thank you for the follow-up question.

Benadryl may help in both of the conditions: it provides symptomatic relief for a nighttime cough and helps speed up the resolution of rash after amoxicillin. It is better to inform your doctor that you are taking Benadryl.

Take Benadryl at night before going to sleep. It can relieve your cough and help better night sleep. Also try to elevate your head while you are on bed and use humidifier at night (dry air makes cough worse).
If above measures do not relief the cough and it is persistent for more than 2 weeks you may need additional medical investigation for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or asthma.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee