When parent claim their child had 'hives’ they are often wrong. We suggest that if you did not review pictures of the rash, you instead review these photos and questions below to determine if these were truly hives, or a macular papular rash (which is far more common).
The vast majority of urticaria, angioedema, and maculopapular rashes that children experience while on antibiotics are NOT caused by antibiotics, but instead by the underlying infection that antibiotics were prescribed for and the immune response to it.
Drop the label is a multidisciplinary group of allergists, pediatricians, pharmacists, family physicians, and other healthcare providers based out of British Columbia. We promote education and tools to support prescribers serving people with potential antibiotic allergies.
