In a message dated 2/23/2002 8:34:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, writes: > My question to you all is: when have you felt it was NOT safe to > retry a child again? Was it the type of rash/reaction (which is not > always remembered correctly anyway by parents), or the length of time > that has elapsed since the original incident, or the age of the > child? > If they really had hives or wheezing, or it sounds like that from what the parents describe, I don't try it again. I may, however, refer them to an allergist for testing if it was Penicillin and they're interested. I have also had numerous parents tell me their child is allergic to penicillin, but has had no problems with amoxicillin or augmentin after the supposed reaction to penicillin. I inquire a little further into the nature of the reaction, and then inform them that their child really is not allergic to penicillin. > Anyone have any bad outcomes? Do you document in the chart that the > parent is agreeing to take this risk (along with yourself)? > No problems at all. I document that the past reaction really did not sound like an allergy. Probably should add that it was discussed and the parents are willing to try it, too. I will from now on--thanks for the suggestion. Moshe Adler, MD