{"id":61179,"date":"2023-11-06T09:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T14:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61179"},"modified":"2026-07-22T14:14:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T18:14:06","slug":"amoxicillin-rash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/amoxicillin-rash\/","title":{"rendered":"How to identify and treat an amoxicillin rash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amoxicillin<\/a> is one of the most commonly used antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Known for its ability to stop the growth of bacteria, amoxicillin is also one of the most tolerable drugs for children and is prescribed by pediatric healthcare providers over others in the penicillin family, such as ampicillin or oxacillin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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As a parent or patient, you may be concerned about reactions to a new medication, especially if they point toward an unknown drug allergy. Amoxicillin is known for causing rashes in certain patients, but the good news is that most don\u2019t indicate an allergy. Many people assume if they get a rash after taking amoxicillin that they are allergic to penicillin. In reality, while 10% of the population reports a penicillin allergy only 1% of people are truly allergic to it.<\/p>\n

There is a slim chance that a rash could indicate a true allergic reaction to amoxicillin, so it\u2019s important to know how to identify the type of rash and what to do for each kind. Here\u2019s what to do if you or your child experiences a skin reaction after starting this popular antibiotic.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Can you get a rash from amoxicillin?<\/h2>\n

Yes, you can get a rash from amoxicillin. There are two types of amoxicillin rashes: non-allergic and allergic reactions.<\/p>\n

Non-allergic rashes<\/b> typically appear three to seven days after starting amoxicillin but may occur at any time throughout the course of treatment. Although it may seem concerning, children who experience these rashes don\u2019t report itching or hives. Many times, people who have viral infections will have a viral rash and the timing with amoxicillin is coincidental. For example, for persons with Epstein Barr virus<\/a> (mononucleosis), amoxicillin exposure produces a sensitivity response that is a rash.<\/p>\n

Allergic reactions<\/b> start within hours of taking the first dose of amoxicillin. Contact a healthcare provider immediately for instructions on what to do next. Allergic reactions are serious and require immediate attention.<\/p>\n

In most cases, amoxicillin rashes are a side effect of the medication (especially for mononucleosis) and not allergic reactions. About 5%-10% of children develop a rash from amoxicillin, but only a small number of those are due to allergic reactions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How long does an amoxicillin rash last?<\/h3>\n

Non-allergenic amoxicillin rashes last one to six days, with most going away after just three. But allergic rashes can take a few weeks to clear up completely.<\/p>\n

Do not stop taking amoxicillin unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional. Just because you stop taking amoxicillin doesn\u2019t mean the rash will go away faster\u2014and you run the risk of the original infection coming back and making you feel worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What does an amoxicillin rash look like?<\/h2>\n

Amoxicillin rashes vary in appearance. Some patients experience flat, red patches, while others encounter raised hives, says Kelvin Fernandez, MD<\/a>, a resident physician at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey. \u201cThe key to identifying an amoxicillin rash lies in its timing,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Common, non-allergic rashes<\/b> often manifest as tiny pink or red bumps called a maculopapular rash, or a delayed skin rash, given that it takes a few days to appear. You\u2019ll see it on the chest, around the abdomen, and back, but it may also spread to the face, arms, and legs. Although it\u2019s not a usual sign of an allergic reaction, it should be reported to a healthcare provider if you experience difficulty breathing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Allergic rashes<\/b> will appear within an hour<\/a> of starting a medication. Hives<\/a>, which are a warning sign of an allergic reaction, look like raised welts that change location and cause significant itchiness. Unlike maculopapular rashes, hives are blotchy, swollen, and move around the body. Though hives are commonly a reddish pink, they will also blanch<\/a>, meaning it will turn white after pressing down on it. Hives often resemble mosquito bites. In addition to hives,<\/a> you may experience facial swelling, wheezing, shortness of breath, anaphylaxis and trouble swallowing. If this happens, see a healthcare provider immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Maculopapular rashes and hives are different types of rashes. Rashes are more the sign of irritation, whereas hives point toward a possible amoxicillin allergy. Hives are raised, and rashes are flush. Most hives are sealed and do not break open, while with rashes, you may experience blistering.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How to treat an amoxicillin rash<\/h2>\n

There are a few ways to treat an amoxicillin rash. It involves first, treating the current rash symptoms and then treating the allergy (for allergic rashes).<\/p>\n

To treat non-allergic or allergic rash symptoms<\/b>, your healthcare provider may suggest stopping the amoxicillin and prescribe an additional medication, such as over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl<\/a> (diphenhydramine) can help reduce rashes and relieve itching. You can also try home remedies including:<\/p>\n