The PCN Clinic provides a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of these patients through the collaborative efforts of allergist, dietitian, nurse, social worker and psychologist.
How to make an appointment
Patients with a known PCN allergy may make an appointment for the PCN Clinic by calling 832-824-1319.
What to expect
Our team will provide a thorough evaluation and devise a treatment plan based on this assessment. We will work with referring practitioners to provide long term follow-up to maximize the likelihood of improving the quality of life of our patients.
What is a Penicillin Allergy?
Penicillins are the safest and most effective antibiotics for many infections. Therefore, it is imperative to find out whether a patient is truly penicillin allergic. Approximately 10% of the population carry a penicillin allergy label and over 90% of these individuals actually are negative on allergy testing and can tolerate penicillins. Furthermore, 90% of patients with a true penicillin allergy will lose their sensitivity to a penicillin over a 10-year period.
Recognizing that the label of penicillin allergy is commonly attached in childhood where common childhood infections may themselves contribute to this diagnosis, Dr. Sara Anvari established the first Penicillin Allergy Delabeling Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center in January 2022 to evaluate and delabel patients with a history of an immediate penicillin allergy label.
She has also received grant funding from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) to support efforts to improve access to underserved populations with a penicillin allergy label, by 1) increasing the identification, formal evaluation, and delabeling of children inappropriately labeled as penicillin allergic in the Texas Children’s healthcare system and 2) to identify any disparities in access to allergy services across the TCH outpatient healthcare system and minimize barriers to equitable access across the community.
Patients interested in a formal evaluation for a penicillin allergy can request a referral from their healthcare provider to be seen in the Penicillin Allergy Delabeling clinic. The first visit will be performed virtually and will focus on the specific details about the penicillin reaction and during the second visit the patient will undergo penicillin skin testing and have an oral penicillin challenge.
