Beesie - Neosporin and Lymphedema

percy4

For you, Beesie; something small I can offer you as you've helped me so very much.  Looking over my paperwork in my BC packet, there is a print-out about preventing lymphedema.. I know you said (I think) you use Neosporin on cuts on treated side.  My info says "Treat openings in the affected area with antibacterial ointment such as Bacitracin, Polysporin, or a double-antibiotic ointment.  DO NOT USE Neosporin or any ointment  that contains neomycin as we are seeing allergies to neomycin, the active ingredient in Neosporin, even in patients that have used this product for years."  Thought you would like to hear this point of view.  Love - P.

Beesie

Percy, thanks for this info.  Very interesting.  I've done some googling about this since I first read your post and what I've discovered is that apparently it's quite common to have an allergic reaction to Neosporin.  That's why it's not recommended for women with lymphedema, because if you have that allergic reaction, it could make the situation worse.  A couple of the lymphedema websites discuss this and say it's okay to use Neosporin if you aren't allergic to it.  However they also point out that an allergy to Neosporin can develop over time.  So they recommend against overuse and suggest that only a very light coating of Neosporin be used.

Neosporin isn't even available in Canada (I've always wondered why that is; maybe it's because of these allergy issues caused by the active ingredient) but I would use it when I was visiting my parents in the U.S.. What I discovered is that if I get a cut, it will heal within 24 hours with Neosporin, whereas with Polysporin (available in many varieties on every store shelf here), it can take a week or more.  So for some reason Neosporin is just really effective on me.  Since then I always buy some when I'm in the U.S. and it's my topical antibiotic of choice. What I've learned from your post is that I'd better restrict my usage of Neosporin to times when I really need it, and when I do use it, I should use it sparingly.  Since it works better on me than anything else, the last thing I want to do is develop an allergy to it!

Learn something new every day!

SpecialK

Very interesting that this is a specific reference in literature - I am highly allergic to Neosporin, and I was one who developed that allergy in my 40's.  I knew this prior to my diagnosis, but found out through so much surgery that I am also allergic to the Bacitracin irrigant used during BMX, and other breast surgeries.  I tend to be allergic to many antibiotics and pretty much don't use topicals at all, and I do have lymphedema.