This test is ideal if you've experienced allergic reactions to penicillin or related antibiotics and need confirmation of your sensitivity. It's especially useful when skin testing isn't appropriate for you, such as if you have severe skin conditions, take certain medications, or have had dangerous allergic reactions in the past. Many people use this test to safely determine if they can take penicillin-based antibiotics before medical procedures or treatments.
How should I prepare for this test?
If you're taking calcineurin inhibitors (immunosuppressant medications like tacrolimus or cyclosporine), you'll need to stop these medications 72 hours before your blood draw. This is important because these drugs can affect how your immune cells respond during the test, potentially leading to inaccurate results. Always consult with your prescribing doctor before stopping any medication to ensure it's safe for you.
What's included in this test?
This test measures BasoFunction™ HRT Penicillin (Minor Det), which evaluates how your white blood cells respond when exposed to penicillin in a controlled lab environment. It's an in vitro challenge test that measures histamine release as a marker of allergic cell stimulation, helping confirm whether you have a true allergic sensitivity to penicillin. This test is particularly valuable when traditional skin testing cannot be safely performed or when you need objective confirmation of an allergy.
What happens after I get my results?
You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your test results mean for your antibiotic options and medication safety. These notes include personalized recommendations like which antibiotics to avoid, what information to share with healthcare providers, and whether additional allergy testing may be helpful. You'll also get the standard lab report and can keep these results in your medical records for future reference whenever you need antibiotics.
Who should consider getting this test?
This test is valuable for anyone with a suspected or documented penicillin allergy who cannot undergo skin testing due to severe skin conditions, recent anaphylaxis, or current use of medications that interfere with skin tests. It's also helpful for people who need clarity about their allergy status before surgeries or treatments where penicillin-based antibiotics are preferred. Additionally, it's useful if you've been avoiding penicillin based on childhood reactions but want to confirm whether you still have the allergy.
What symptoms indicate I may need this test?
You may need this test if you've previously experienced hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or severe rashes after taking penicillin or related antibiotics. Other concerning symptoms include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, gastrointestinal distress, or any reaction that required medical attention after antibiotic use. Even if your reaction was mild, confirming your allergy status helps ensure safe medication choices in the future.
What does a positive result mean?
A positive result indicates that your blood cells showed an allergic response to penicillin in the laboratory setting, confirming you have a sensitivity to this antibiotic. This means you should avoid penicillin and related antibiotics and inform all your healthcare providers about this allergy. Your doctor can recommend alternative antibiotics that are safe for you, and you should consider wearing a medical alert bracelet.
What does a negative result mean?
A negative result suggests that your blood cells did not show an allergic response to penicillin in this test, which may indicate you don't have a true penicillin allergy. However, this test is just one piece of the puzzle, and results should be interpreted by your doctor along with your medical history. In some cases, your doctor may recommend additional testing or a supervised penicillin challenge to fully confirm you can safely take the medication.
Can I outgrow a penicillin allergy?
Yes, many people who had penicillin allergies as children no longer have them as adults. Studies show that up to 80% of people with documented penicillin allergies lose their sensitivity after 10 years. This is why retesting is valuable if you've been avoiding penicillin based on old information, as confirming your current allergy status expands your antibiotic options and can lead to more effective treatments.
What are safe antibiotic alternatives if I'm allergic to penicillin?
If you have a confirmed penicillin allergy, your doctor can prescribe alternative antibiotics like azithromycin, fluoroquinolones (such as levofloxacin), or certain cephalosporins depending on the severity of your allergy and the infection being treated. Some people with penicillin allergies can safely take certain cephalosporin antibiotics, but this should only be determined by your healthcare provider. Always inform every doctor, dentist, and pharmacist about your penicillin allergy to ensure safe medication choices.
How often should I retest for penicillin allergy?
If you test positive for penicillin allergy, there's generally no need for routine retesting unless your doctor recommends it due to changing medical needs or if many years have passed and you want to confirm your current status. However, if you test negative but have a strong history of reactions, your doctor may recommend follow-up testing or supervised challenge in the future. Allergies can change over time, so discussing retesting with your allergist or doctor is worthwhile if your medical situation changes.
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Demo results
BasoFunction™ HRT PenicillinNegative
Demo results
NegativePositive
Negative
What this means
Your test came back negative, meaning your blood cells did not show an allergic response to penicillin in this controlled test. This suggests you may not have a true penicillin allergy, though your doctor will interpret this result along with your medical history and symptoms.
Recommended actions
Discuss these results with your doctor to determine if penicillin antibiotics are safe for you
Keep a record of this test result in your medical files for future reference
Your doctor may recommend a supervised penicillin challenge to fully confirm safety
Continue to inform healthcare providers about your allergy history until fully cleared
* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More complex tests, such as hormone panels, may take up to 10–15 business days due to their complexity.
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Penicillin Allergy Test - Blood Test for Antibiotic Sensitivity
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