[Beta-lactam allergy with special reference to Iceland]

Allergies to antibiotics are reported by 8-14% of the adult population out of which half is thought to be due to penicillins. Women are two thirds of those. It is estimated that 20.000 Icelanders believe they are allergic to beta-lactam drugs. Less than 10% of suspected penicillin allergy can be proved by allergy testing and challenge tests. The allergy to beta-lactam drugs can be of all types of allergy reactions, leading to clinical symptoms from mild to life threatening. The beta-lactam allergy is diagnosed by a precise history, measuring drug specific IgE, by prick- and intradermal skin tests and challenge tests with the drug in question. The purpose of this article is to draw the attention of Icelandic doctors to the importance of drug allergy with specific emphasis on beta-lactam drugs and the value of accurate recording of symptoms and signs in the patient's records. We also describe the diagnostic methods used and propose an algorithmic approach to diagnose beta-lactam allergy in Icelandic children and adults.