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Allergic reaction to surgical soap (Chlorhexidine) after lumpectomy

Posted by lisakukla1 @lisakukla1, Feb 4 3:14pm

Diagnosed with IDC. 10 days ago I had a tumor removed from my left breast and 3 lymph nodes. Still in a ton of pain in my underarm area, ibuprofen doesn’t seem to help much. But the rash I developed from the surgical soap is almost worse than the pain of the surgery. I have red inflamed skin from my waist up to my collar bone and under my breast. It flares and itches. My surgeon recommended rubbing alcohol to clean away the soap, I’ve tried lotions and am 10 days out from surgery but still being affected by this. Has anyone experienced this? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance. 🙏

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tapgirl | @tapgirl | Feb 5 3:19pm

I have absolutely experienced this, Lisa. A few years ago, I had surgery to remove two discs from neck. The incision was about tow inches long on my throat. Two days following the surgery the neck around the surgical wound was becoming red and itchy. I assumed the bandage was the irritant and I removed it. Two days later the redness had spread to my chest and I had large intolerably itchy lumps. At 11 PM on a Saturday I couldn’t bear the itchiness any longer and I went to the local emergency room. They gave me an IV of cortisone which provided immediate relief. The following Monday I visited my doctor who, after diagnosing a rare but severe allergy to chlorhexidine, prescribed an additional round of prednisone. Since that time I have only allowed medical personnel to cleanse my skin with alcohol. If you don’t improve, I suggest consulting an allergist who will be able to treat you properly. Good luck!

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1 reply
Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Feb 5 10:07pm

I’m also allergic to Chlorhexidine. Found out after lumpectomy that also included reducing size of both breasts. So lots of sutures. They didn’t clean my skin well on my upper chest after surgery and I had a light rash that evening. But the biggest issue was that the clorhexidine must have soaked into the sutures (black suture thread was used) and my skin at the suture line stayed red and irritated until the thread either fell off or was absorbed.

The second surgery I requested they use another chemical. It is now noted in my chart that I’m allergic to chlorhexidine. But I am going to remind them if/when I have another surgery because the surgical nurse/assistant may not read through my chart before the procedure.

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1 reply
lisakukla1 | @lisakukla1 | Feb 6 9:45am
In reply to @triciaot "I’m also allergic to Chlorhexidine. Found out after lumpectomy that also included reducing size of both..." + (show)
@triciaot

I’m also allergic to Chlorhexidine. Found out after lumpectomy that also included reducing size of both breasts. So lots of sutures. They didn’t clean my skin well on my upper chest after surgery and I had a light rash that evening. But the biggest issue was that the clorhexidine must have soaked into the sutures (black suture thread was used) and my skin at the suture line stayed red and irritated until the thread either fell off or was absorbed.

The second surgery I requested they use another chemical. It is now noted in my chart that I’m allergic to chlorhexidine. But I am going to remind them if/when I have another surgery because the surgical nurse/assistant may not read through my chart before the procedure.

Jump to this post

I don’t wish this on my worst enemy! Unfortunate we had to find out the hard way but I will definitely make sure everyone knows if or when I have any other procedures, don’t want to chance it. Hope you are all healed up and feel better these days.

REPLY
lisakukla1 | @lisakukla1 | Feb 6 9:47am
In reply to @tapgirl "I have absolutely experienced this, Lisa. A few years ago, I had surgery to remove two..." + (show)
@tapgirl

I have absolutely experienced this, Lisa. A few years ago, I had surgery to remove two discs from neck. The incision was about tow inches long on my throat. Two days following the surgery the neck around the surgical wound was becoming red and itchy. I assumed the bandage was the irritant and I removed it. Two days later the redness had spread to my chest and I had large intolerably itchy lumps. At 11 PM on a Saturday I couldn’t bear the itchiness any longer and I went to the local emergency room. They gave me an IV of cortisone which provided immediate relief. The following Monday I visited my doctor who, after diagnosing a rare but severe allergy to chlorhexidine, prescribed an additional round of prednisone. Since that time I have only allowed medical personnel to cleanse my skin with alcohol. If you don’t improve, I suggest consulting an allergist who will be able to treat you properly. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing! Bummed you had to experience that on top of what you were dealing with surgery wise. Hope you’re feeling much better these days.

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1 reply
tapgirl | @tapgirl | Feb 6 11:16am
In reply to @lisakukla1 "Thank you for sharing! Bummed you had to experience that on top of what you were..." + (show)
@lisakukla1

Thank you for sharing! Bummed you had to experience that on top of what you were dealing with surgery wise. Hope you’re feeling much better these days.

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That was three years ago. As long as I avoid chlorhexidine I should be fine. I hope you're improving as well. I hope you're improved as well.

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