Eating blue cheese if you have a penicillin allergy

[lizzzi]

I am allergic to penicillin: had a true anaphylactic reaction twenty years ago and of course have not taken PCN in any form since then.  I've been eating blue cheeses occasionally for years--never stopped to think that some of them contain some form of penicillin. I've never had a problem...never even thought about it. I just read online today in several places that those allergic to PCN should not eat blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Maytag, Danish Blue, etc. Blue cheese salad dressing). I've never had a problem. Any wise counsel from the forum? Any anecdotes? Thanks in advance.

[Freedom2016]

Huh. I have a penicillin allergy - rash reaction as an infant so have never had it since. I love me some good blue cheese and have never had an issue.

[matchewed]

Ummm talk to a doctor or an allergist.

[Hula Hoop]

That would be bad news.  I have a penicillin allergy and love blue cheese.  I eat it all the time and have never had a reaction.

[lizzzi]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, of course I will mention it to my doctor the next time I see him. But I just wondered about personal experiences of the group. I ate a whole bunch of blue cheese just yesterday, and am totally fine. I think I'm not going to worry about it.

[Sibley]

I'm allergic to ragweed (now - its only a few years old), and used to drink chamomile tea. Then I learned that chamomile and ragweed are related. I've stopped drinking the tea even though I never had a problem. Better safe than sorry for me. It may also explain why I don't like melon, zucchini, and cucumber - they're also related.

My guess is that it would depend on what specifically is triggering the reaction. There are compounds in penicillin that aren't in blue cheese, and vice versa. However, it is possible to develop an allergy, or worsen an allergy, through repetitive non-reactive exposure. So you might be fine for years until your immune system suddenly decides that you're not.

[lizzzi]

Good point, Sibley--and I've thought of that. (As I keep eating my blue cheese.)

[Sugaree]

I've never thought about it.  My kiddo had a reaction to Augmentin when he was little.  Thankfully, just hives.  We don't know if it was the penicillin or the clavulanic acid, but he hasn't been prescribed any penicillin based antibiotics since.  He doesn't love blue cheeses, but it's never caused a reaction that I've noticed.