STUDY OF SKIN RASHES AFTER ANTIBIOTIC USE IN YOUNG-CHILDREN

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated drug sensitivity in children is uncomm on. However, undefined skin rash following antibiotic ingestion in you nger children is commonly observed in clinical practice. We studied 86 consecutively referred patients to our allergy clinic over a 5-year p eriod. We found that the majority of children (80%) with skin rashes w ere under 3 years of age. All the children had been treated with antib iotics for a bacterial upper respiratory infection (URI; otitis media, sinusitis, or pharyngitis), 73 (85%) had erythematous rash, 13 (15%) had urticaria occurring 3-5 days after the treatment, and 43 (50%) rep orted a repeated rash with the use of two or more different antibiotic s. There were no reports of systemic reactions or histories of accompa nying food allergy. When patients were given the suspected antibiotics while they were well, none developed rash. However, in the next bacte rial infection, 62 (72%) chose to receive dye-free suspensions of the suspected antibiotics. Only three patients (3.5%) elected for the dye- containing suspension. Of the 62 patients who received dye-free suspen sions, only eight-developed a mild skin rash, which was managed succes sfully, We conclude that a practical approach for non-IgE-mediated ski n rash needs to be evaluated. The current practice of complete avoidan ce of the suspected antibiotics without further evaluation may be unwa rranted.