Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum, penicillin-like antibiotic that's effective against many of the bacteria that infect the sinuses, throat, skin, bladder, ears and stomach. While it does a good job of eradicating infections caused by many staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria, amoxicillin can cause a variety of rashes in children, says Drugs.com.
Identification
Amoxicillin can cause several types of erythematous rashes, which are rashes that cause reddening of the skin. An exfoliative rash from amoxicillin causes skin scaling, while a purulent rash creates painful, pus-filled skin lesions. Amoxicillin can cause a rare but severe hypersensitivity reaction known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which causes the skin to slough off in sheets. Similar to other penicillin-like drugs, amoxicillin can trigger a life-threatening allergy called anaphylaxis that begins with intense itching and hives, according to RxList.
Features
Amoxicillin-related erythematous rashes may be raised, reddened areas, or they may be flat, discolored surfaces, according to MedlinePlus. The itching patches of exfoliative rashes can spread quickly across the body and trigger massive skin scaling, notes MedlinePlus. Stevens-Johnson creates a distinctive, blistering, bright red rash that kills the top layer of skin, causing it to slough off, states MayoClinic.com. Although hives may be one of the first signs of anaphylaxis, parents and caregivers should be vigilant, as patients can deteriorate rapidly and go into respiratory and cardiac collapse.
Prognosis
Amoxicillin-related rashes often signal serious or even life-threatening adverse effects of the medication. Children with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, for example, need hospital care, usually in an intensive care or burn unit. Anaphylaxis, left untreated, can be fatal to infants or children within minutes or hours.
Prevention
Youngsters who have already had an allergic reaction to penicillin or other penicillin-like antibiotics should not take amoxicillin, states RxList. These antibiotics include ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, carbenicillin and combination products like clavulanate. Children with a history of allergic response to cephalosporin antibiotics like cephalexin, cefdinir and cefprozil are also at greater risk for an amoxicillin allergy. Parents should share their children's drug allergy histories with health care providers before giving their youngsters any new antibiotics.
Tips
It's important for parents to contact a health care provider immediately if their child develops a rash after taking amoxicillin, says PubMed Health. In the meantime, parents should stop the drug and watch the child closely for any shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing.
