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Update: pictures of her rash taken April 27th.

Well, here we go again. Tru has erythema multiforme again. For background on last time, see here, here, here, then here, and see here for pictures. We went to the doctor Friday, April 18th because she had a fever, and she tested positive for strep throat that day. They prescribed Omnicef, a mild cephalosporin antibiotic which she’s had several times with no reaction. She got better but then developed a fever again by the next Friday (yesterday). We took her back in, and she had bad ear infections in both ears. They prescribed Ceftin, a stronger cephalosporin antibiotic, and told us to stop with the Omnicef. It tasted horrible, so we were only able to get her to take a half dose that night and another half dose or less this morning. We probably wasted 3 doses attempting to get that small amount into her! Since we were so unsuccessful administering the antibiotics, we called the doctor this morning and asked if they could do it in the form of a shot, which we knew would be much more effective and convenient. They agreed and we went in. Between the time we spoke on the phone and the time we got to the doctor’s office, Tru had developed a bright red, splotchy rash on her legs, arms, and face. They told us that it may be an allergic reaction to Ceftin, so they didn’t want to give her the shot, which would also be a strong cephalosporin. They sent us home with a prescription for Zithromax, which is not as effective on ear infections but is the only other option since Tru is also allergic to penicillins. By the time she woke up from her nap around 5, her rash had developed hives and become very itchy. We were positive by this time that she was developing erythema multiforme again. We took her to the emergency room because the doctor’s office had closed, so that she could be prescribed steroids. We’re back at home now, and she has steroids in her system. Last time, it took 48 hours or more from the onset of the rash to get steroids into her. This time, it took only 12 hours, so we are hoping and praying that the reaction is less severe since we caught it early.

As I understand right now, penicillins and cephalosporins are the two most effective classes of antibiotics for children under the age of about 15. However, we have to proceed now as if Tru is allergic to all penicillins and all cephalosporins except Omnicef, which means until she gets much older, she will be extremely limited in the treatment she can receive for bacterial infections. There are other antibiotics not in those two classes, but they are not nearly as effective as penicillins and cephalosporins. The Zithromax she’s on now is not in either of those classes, but it is one of those ineffective antibiotics. We’re basically just crossing our fingers hoping that it will be able to knock out this infection, especially since Omnicef was also ineffective this time for some reason, when it is usually much more effective than Zithromax. Please pray that Tru not only recovers quickly from her erythema multiforme, but that the antibiotic she is on now is effective against her infection and that she remains healthy enough in the next ten years that her allergies don’t prevent her from getting good treatment for any infections she may develop. About 5% of people who are allergic to penicillins are also allergic to cephalosporins.

Erin Family News, Pictures Emergency, Erythema multiforme, Pictures, Sick, Tru