Hives after gallbladder surgery

Hello @msskypooh and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you developed hives post-gallbladder surgery and are in need of relief. I am not a provider, however, I do want to ask if you have experienced difficulty breathing or a drop in blood pressure (i.e. dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, fainting, dehydration and unusual thirst, lack of concentration, blurred vision, or cold, clammy, pale skin)? If you have any of those symptoms, I would recommend you seeking medical attention immediately for the hives.

Members like @therjes and @ken82 have been through gallbladder surgery and may have more to share from their experience.

If those more concerning symptoms above don't apply, my next question would be have you contacted your provider to make sure they know of your hives post-operation? If so, what was the recommendation?

@msskypooh Hello, I had my gallbladder removed almost 3 months ago. I didn't experience hives. I'd recommend you contact your surgeon immediately.

My only symptom is the extremely itchy rash. My doctor said I was doing everything he would recommend. (Benadryl and hydrocortisone) which isn't working at all. I've gone on to use aloe sunburn lotion which seems to work better than the hydrocortisone. Some of my internet searches have found other GB patients with the same issue in the same areas. They report chronic hives that last months to years. This seems to be more than a reaction to the antiseptic they use during surgery. I'm about to put Windex on it. Ha ha

@msskypooh - My gallbladder is gone too- no skin reaction. It sounds as if you are reacting to the antiseptic they prepped your abdomen with. You could try another allergy medicine also used for hives- Allegra. In worst case scenario oral steroids would help.
Stay in touch with your doctor.

@msskypooh I had my gallbladder out several years ago and no rash. Hives tend to pop up go away and pop up in another spot and usually much larger. .. like being attacked by a bunch of mosquitos or bees. This looks like an allergy from something used on your skin. I get such rashes just from my seasonal pollen allergies and some prescription creams I've used.

Use unscented soap .. something like Dove and other soaps for sensitive skin.. to bathe with. My husband makes our soap.. so cannot remember the brand names now. When I am really bad like you are now after I have washed with soap and rinsed I soak a cloth with apple cider vinegar and go all over the areas covered in rash and rinse. I keep an old shampoo bottle filled with apple cider vinegar in the shower. Smelling like apple cider vinegar to me is a better choice than the misery of a rash. You can use white vinegar but I personally think apple cider vinegar works better for rashes. Once you dry off apply Aloe gel or lotion... right from the Aloe plant works best, but if only option is the gel or lotion it will still work better than hydrocortisone cream. I have also found that the triple antibiotic cream with pain relief works better than hydrocortisone.

I hope you find relief soon.
ZeeGee

I had my appendix out a week and a half ago and also have hives around all of my incisions. This is actually my third time around with this happening. It happened after my hysterectomy and after my gall bladder. Each time the hives have gotten progressively worse. The other thing that I have noticed is they don’t start popping out until the glue starts coming off. So for the first few days I am fine and they usually start around my navel since that glue plug usually comes loose first and then they pop up around each of the other incisions. I also use Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream without much relief. I have a great many drug allergies and would love to figure out what this one is.

I imagine you are on the right track! I’m allergic to betadine and have to INSIST that it not be used…I’ve actually had drs argue about this! Go with your gut, it could be just about anything they used that most folks can tolerate. Including prednisone that they love to give to inflammation. I was told that I’m the only person in history that is allergic to prednisone. Don’t give up!!!

I will continue looking for answers. The last incision is getting worse still and it has now been 2 full weeks tonight.
Did yours look anything like this?

Yes, and very itchy and tingly.

I’m 67 and no longer put up with ANY Dr that just refuses to take me seriously…the really good pros listen and don’t mind taking your concerns seriously. The ones that care and listen are out there!
Seek em out and kick the others to the curb! 👵🏼