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Contact Dermatitis after surgical procedures
My husband has had several orthopedic surgeries (4 shoulder, 3 carpal tunnel and a knee) and ever since the 2nd surgery he blisters very badly. He’s had the whole skin patch testing done, but nothing showed a reaction. Nothing for tape, gauze, cleansers, etc. Has anybody ever had this happen? I’m attaching a picture of what happened after surgery this past Wednesday. The blisters always start onday 2. He’s on a double dose of prednisone which calms the blistering and rash down. He had 2 skin biopsies done yesterday but not sure if they will give us any answers. Thank you.
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Since this starts for him on day 2 I would have recommended patch testing, as I am severely allergic to adhesives, and have blistered up from liquid bandage after surgery's by the second day. Yet he has been checked for adhesives. I am also allergic to preservatives, which ones was he checked for. How many patch test sites did he have? My test included 78.
I was operated on 03/21/2025 for a partial knee replacement. That night I started having an allergic reaction, contact dermatitis, on my skin within a 6 inch radius of the operation site. Monday I went to see the surgeon and he prescribed prednisone. He also told me that the rash was in the shape of an iodine drape that they used during surgery. I just had the standard contact dermatitis allergy test - three sheets of chemical compounds glued to my back for 2 days with readings on the 2nd and 3rd days. I came out with a grade 1 allergy to linalool which, the dr. said was unlikely to be the reason for my reaction. Has anyone been in this situation? What did you do?
It may be a hidden fragrance which are not listed in some formulas on products.
@aileenredding I'm glad you were able to find out what the probable cause was!
I have had a reaction similar to that once, and have taken to telling any medical staff about my sensitivity to a product ahead of time. Usually they have an alternative product available to use. And any time you need to list allergies, make sure you mention the linalool.
Ginger
Thanks. I have also taken a course of prednisone to eliminate any reaction to anything.
That was a quick response, probably due to frustration. I found those sheets of chemicals very irritating and I am disappointed that nothing really showed. The allergist suggested that I ask the surgeon for a list of chemicals and products used so I could start researching it myself. He offered help with that. I am not sure I will get cooperation from the surgeon on that effort.