Diagnosis

If a skin rash occurs immediately or a few days after taking an antibiotic, or if it subsides quickly after stopping the medication, the connection between the antibiotic and the rash can be quickly identified. To find out whether a real allergic reaction is behind the symptoms, a so-called prick test can be carried out. In this test, certain allergen solutions are applied to the forearm or back and the skin is lightly scratched. Certain antibodies can also be detected in the blood, making it possible to distinguish between allergic and pseudoallergic reactions.

Treatment – What to do in case of skin rash after antibiotics?

The most important measure in case of a rash after taking antibiotics is to stop taking the drug immediately. A doctor should be consulted to investigate the cause of the rash. For example, if there is a viral rather than a bacterial inflammation, discontinuing the antibiotic is sufficient.

If, however, it is still necessary to take antibiotics, it should be checked which other preparation is suitable. For this purpose, it may be useful to use diagnostic methods to find out whether it is a genuine allergic reaction to the drug or only a pseudoallergic reaction. If there is a genuine allergic reaction to certain antibiotics, this medication should not be taken in the future, just like chemically related substances, as undesired reactions are again to be expected.

In this case, it makes sense to issue an allergy passport, which should be presented by the person concerned both to the doctor and to the pharmacy. As far as household remedies are concerned, cooling the affected skin areas is particularly effective. This reduces the blood circulation and thus the accumulation of fluid in the blisters and inhibits the inflammatory processes.

Ideally, cold cloths should be used for this purpose. Ice packs are just as effective if wrapped well in cloths beforehand.Furthermore, moisturizing the affected skin with chamomile tea is described as particularly effective. It has been scientifically investigated for some time now what effect chamomile has on the body and metabolism. In addition, arnica ointments and calendula ointment in particular, but also solutions obtained by soaking oat flakes in water are recommended.