If you are allergic to penicillin, can you eat Stilton? (2024)

Asked by: Emily Thompson, Stockport

The antibiotic penicillin is made from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Stilton and most other blue cheeses do use Penicillium mould to create the blue veins, but they use a different strain (P. roqueforti) and the whole mould, rather than the penicillin extract.

It is possible to be allergic to the drug and still be able to eat the cheese with impunity, although there are also people who are allergic to both. It’s also worth noting that only 20 per cent of people who think they are allergic to penicillin, actually are.

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If you are allergic to penicillin, can you eat Stilton? (2024)

FAQs

If you are allergic to penicillin, can you eat Stilton? ›

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Penicillium cultures that create blue cheese do not produce penicillin. Therefore, it is generally safe for people with penicillin allergies to eat blue cheese, as long as the cheese has not spoiled.

What to avoid if you are allergic to penicillin? ›

It is generally recommended that you avoid all drugs in the immediate penicillin family (amoxicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, piperacillin-tazobactam as well as certain drugs in the cephalosporin class (a closely related class to penicillins).

Can I eat Brie if I'm allergic to penicillin? ›

It is responsible for giving these cheeses their distinctive flavors. An allergy to the antibiotic penicillin does not necessarily imply an allergy to cheeses made using P. camemberti.

Is blue cheese mold the same as penicillin? ›

Yes, it is a Penicillium mold that produces the antibiotic penicillin…but not the same one. The antibiotic is made from Penicillium chrysogenum; the cheeses are made with Penicillium roqueforti, Penicillium camemberti, and Penicillium glaucum.

What to avoid if allergic to Penicillium? ›

Common culprits include:
  • Cheese.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Vinegar and foods containing vinegar, such as salad dressing, ketchup, and pickles.
  • Sour cream, sour milk, and buttermilk.
  • Meat or fish.
  • Breads and other food made with yeast.
  • Jarred jams and jellies.
  • Sauerkraut.
Nov 7, 2022

What foods stop penicillin working? ›

Hence, pharmacists at Orlando Pharmacy suggest that we have to hasten our healing and reinforce the effectiveness of antibiotics by avoiding these food choices:
  • Foods high in acidity. Highly acidic foods repel absorption of drugs in our body. ...
  • Allergens and sugars. ...
  • Dairy products. ...
  • Foods high in fiber. ...
  • Alcohol.
Jan 12, 2018

Can you no longer be allergic to penicillin? ›

True or false: You can never grow out of a penicillin allergy. The correct answer is false. Approximately 50 percent of people will outgrow a penicillin allergy within five years, and 80 percent will outgrow it within 10 years.

Can I eat Stilton if allergic to penicillin? ›

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Penicillium cultures that create blue cheese do not produce penicillin. Therefore, it is generally safe for people with penicillin allergies to eat blue cheese, as long as the cheese has not spoiled.

Can you eat mouldy stilton? ›

Some molds are used to make certain kinds of cheeses including (Roquefort, blue, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Camembert, and Brie). The mold on these cheeses is safe to eat. Mold on other types of cheeses should not be there. Discard any soft cheese showing mold.

Does feta cheese have penicillin? ›

No. Feta is a most basic form of cheese. Blue cheese has had Penicillium Roquforti Mold spores added during production of the cheese (and probably extra cream). It's aged under special conditions and temperature to develop the blue veins.

How do you desensitize a penicillin allergy? ›

Drug desensitization

With this treatment, you receive a very small dose and then progressively larger doses every 15 to 30 minutes over the course of several hours or a few days. If you can reach the desired dosage with no reaction, then you can continue the treatment.

What food does penicillin mold grow on? ›

This is the case of fungi belonging to the genus Penicillium, which grow on cured meat products and on many kinds of cheese.

Should I wear a medical alert bracelet for penicillin allergy? ›

Should you wear a medical ID? If you or a loved one has a chronic condition, allergy, bleeding disorder, neurological condition or uses certain medications or medical devices, consider a medic alert bracelet. While no one wants to think about being involved in a medical emergency, the truth is that these things happen.

What can trigger a penicillin allergy? ›

Risk factors

While anyone can have an allergic reaction to penicillin, a few factors can increase your risk. These include: A history of other allergies, such as food allergy or hay fever. Allergic reaction to another drug.

What other antibiotics should be avoided with penicillin allergy? ›

The cephalosporin medications that are likely to cross-react after penicillin allergies have been established and include:
  • Cephalexin.
  • Cefadroxil.
  • Ceflaclor.
  • Cephradine.
  • Cefprozil.
  • Ceftriaxone.
  • Cefpodoxime.

What drugs are allergic to penicillin? ›

Tetracyclines (e.g. doxycycline), quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin), macrolides (e.g. clarithromycin), aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin) and glycopeptides (e.g. vancomycin) are all unrelated to penicillins and are safe to use in the penicillin allergic patient.

What should I avoid with penicillin? ›

After taking an antibiotic you may need to wait for up to three hours before eating or drinking any dairy products. Grapefruit juice and dietary supplements containing minerals like calcium may also lessen the effect of antibiotics. When should you take antibiotics?

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