Question: Hi,

Would it be advisable for my wife to get an under-skin test done or a patch test for allergies done? Please read the transcript of my XXXXXXX below to get a context.

Thanks and regards,
XXXXX

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Hi,

My wife is severely allergic to most popular anti-biotics or the chemicals in them. The allergic reactions are choking. She stops breathing and we have to rush to the emergency room whenever this happens. Please suggest a test which can tell us clearly which antibiotics and painkillers (also any general allopathic medicine) she is severely allergic to and which ones she can take.



Thanks and regards,

XXXXX

Asked by Me , 4 days ago
Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
There is no such tests available to detect drug allergy.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your wife's situation and problem.
Diagnosis of drug allergy is only clinical.
Means no laboratory tests are available to detect drug allergy. Doctor has to determine drug allergy on the basis of symptoms only.
Common drugs which give rise to allergy are penicillin group, cephalosporin group, sulfa group, painkillers like aspirin, nimesulide, ibuprofen, anti epileptic drugs like phenytoin, phenobarbital etc.
This determine only when patient has allergic symptoms after taking particular drug.
Common allergic symptoms are skin rashes, itching, redness, edema of lips, choking etc.. So whenever patient comes with sudden onset of any of these symptoms, drug allergy is suspected. Checklist of drugs taken is made and amongst them if patient has taken above mentioned drug than he /she is declared as allergic to that group of drug.
This is how drug allergy diagnosed.
So you should tell everytime you consult doctor, so that suspected drugs can be avoided.
Now a days, doctors have option to choose from newer, non allergic drugs. So no need to worry much for this. But you should always alert about doctor 's prescription. Inform them immediately when they write prescription, so that such drugs can be avoided.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your wife. Thanks.
Replied by Dr. XXXXXXX Bhavsar , 3 days ago
Disclaimer: The Expert's advice is provided for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, as a complete assessment of an individual has not taken place. Please consult your nearest physician before acting on it. The advice is not valid for medico-legal purposes also.
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX Bhavsar, for the answer.

However, my wife's problem remains and is highlighted when we visit a doctor are are prescribed anto-biotics. We cannot take any without knowing which ones she is allergic to, for sure. As I said earlier, her allergic reaction is choking and that forces us to go to the emergency room. I would like to avoid this at all costs and definitely I don't want to take any risks when the reaction is this severe. We were looking for specific list of anti-biotics that she can take and not take.

There have always been times when doctors simply throw up their hands and say they don't know what to do and don't prescribe any antibiotics. So, it will be really helpful if you can suggest the names of the newer, non - allergic drugs.
Asked by Me , 3 days ago
Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
Here is the list of safe antibiotics.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your wife's situation and problem.
Here are few newer antibiotics which are having less incidence of allergic reaction.
1. Flouroquinolone group of antibiotics like levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gerenoxacin.
2. Newer macrolide group of antibiotics like azithromycin, clarithromycin.
3. Linezolide.
4. In painkillers, paracetamol, tramadol, etoricoxib etc.
So you can ask for these drugs whenever she is ill and need antibiotics.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wishing good health to your wife. Thanks.
Replied by Dr. XXXXXXX Bhavsar , 3 days ago

Hi Dr. Shanthi,

Could you suggest any hospital / diagnostic lab where we can get these tests done, please? Also, what is the specific name of the tests that we should be looking for?

Thanks and regards,
XXXXX