Dr. Cascya Charlot of Allergy & Asthma Care of Brooklyn explains that the answer is "Probably Not".
Penicillin allergies are the most documented drug allergy in the United States, reported to affect over 10 percent of the population. However, recent reports have found that 9 out of 10 patients (90%) who report as penicillin allergic are incorrectly diagnosed.
Symptoms of rash and stomach problems are commonly mistaken as allergic reactions to antibiotics, though the majority are unrelated.
Why get tested?Incorrect labeling of patients as "Penicillin allergic" is a leading cause for the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics which are more expensive and increased side effects. This overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics has directly resulted in the growing antibiotic resistance.
Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics for penicillin allergies has led to an increase in drug-resistant bacteria such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Broad-spectrum antibiotics also significantly increase the final cost of treatment for patients to use alternative medications.