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Does A Penicillium Mold Allergy Mean I'm Allergic to Penicillin Antibiotics?

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Question
When I had a skin allergy test, it showed I was allergic to "Penicillium Mix". Does that mean that I should avoid Penicillin antibiotics like Amoxicillin or Augmentin?
Answer

The positive allergy test to Penicillium mold mix means that you have an allergy to a common indoor mold called Penicillium. This mold can cause allergies and asthma in some people who are more sensitive to these mold spores in the air.

Having a penicillium mold allergy does not mean that you are allergic to Penicillin antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin and Augmentin. While Penicillin was originally developed from mold, people with this specific mold allergy are not at a higher risk of developing an allergy to penicillin-based antibiotics, compared to anyone else with allergies.

Finally, modern-day Penicillin antibiotics are produced synthetically and are not contaminated with mold particles.

Categories
Allergy, Medicines, Mold Allergy
Answered by

John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

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