Ninety-three years ago, the medical landscape underwent a seismic shift with the invention of penicillin. In the years since, these antibacterial medications have treated infections with great success and saved the lives of countless millions.

Approximately 10% of patients have a reported allergy to penicillin. But studies have shown that the vast majority of these patients – as many as 90% - have been misdiagnosed with a true penicillin allergy. In fact, unbeknownst to many patients, these allergies commonly disappear over time.

Why is this potentially harmful? Because a mislabeled penicillin allergy can unnecessarily limit a patient’s options and lead them to rely on much stronger antibiotics as a result. This can have an impact on society at large as these powerful antibiotic substitutes can produce drug-resistant bacterial spreads.

To combat the misdiagnosis of penicillin allergies, it’s important that you consult a highly trained allergist/immunologist.

Watson Clinic’s board-certified Allergy & Immunology physicians Dr. G. Weyman Price and Dr. Lionel Bonini specialize in the proper diagnosis of penicillin allergies. During your visit, they will conduct a comprehensive review of your medical history, and perform a simple, highly sensitive and accurate series of tests to determine if you have a true allergic reaction to these antibiotics.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 863-647-4045 for Dr. Price at our Watson Clinic South location, 863-680-7486 for Dr. Bonini at our Watson Clinic Main facility, or visit WatsonClinic.com/Allergy.