Rash post procedure

wildflowerjoy

Friday, I had a guided wire excision.... not really a lumpectomy because it was to clean up the margins of Atypical ductal hyperplasia. And take out another area that looked funny next to the first surgery. Saturday, I noticed I was itching a bit and thought it might be from the tape. I woke up this morning with everything on the side that had the procedure, my neck and my left arm covered in a very fine rash. It is getting larger and itches. I took one Benadryl and woke up from a short nap with it spread over more of the same area. It is not just where the tape was but up my neck to my chin and into my armpit and down my forearm. I took another Benadryl. Now, what? It itches a lot!

gb2115

Could it be a reaction to whatever prep they used on you in surgery? They clean the whole side I think. So up your arm, to your neck. I had a rash pop up everywhere they used whatever they used on me (could never get a name in order to list it as an allergy). Mine didn't itch thankfully but took about two weeks to fully disappear.

Benadryl... I would call your surgeon this am. Let them know (they would want to know). They can advise but might want to see you.

star2017

Does it look like shingles

KBeee

You need to call your surgeon to be evaluated.

wildflowerjoy

I did call. They said allergic reaction to Chlora-prep. Benadryl pills and cream, and zrytec. I am still itching with all that. Results not in yet.

wildflowerjoy

No.

gb2115

Yup, that's exactly what I had. Sorry about the itching. Maybe the Zyrtec will kick in soon!!

wildflowerjoy

Bad news is the itching has not stopped. Good news is my lab reports showed no cancer. Aytpical ductal hyperplasia and a papiloma. I see the doctor Thursday if the itching has not stopped. Anyone who had this .... how long does the itching last. I am taking benadryl every six hours. Zrytec every 12 hours and I have benadryl cream .... still itchy!

gb2115

Yay for good news!!

Sorry about the itching. Have you tried a cool compress? Take a washcloth and rinse it with cold water, wring it out and put it on the itch. I did that on some severe dermatitis I had last year. It took the edge off but I eventually had to get a steroid shot to calm it down. Maddening itching that was.

Make sure they list that as an allergy for you!!

Definitely go back if it doesn't turn a corner (allergic dermatitis has to run it's course). There are things they can do.

SpecialK

Ask for a prescription to be called in for the antihistamine Atarax, drug name is hydrozyzine. Much stronger than Benadryl, may make you sleepy but it works. I am allergic to everything and this is the only thing that works on me. You might add either topical steroid cream, rx fluocinonide or OTC topical Benadryl also. Adding an anti-inflammatory like an NSAID might also be worth a try

wildflowerjoy

If I am not better by Thursday,I have to go in. I will ask about that medicine. Tonight, I will try the cool compress but there is so much skin itching I will have to be creative to cover all the spots. I am wanting to go back to work. I have a steroid cream for eczema that I can try. I have been taking ibuprofen and using the Benadryl cream along with the benadryl pills I am so itchy. I want to just claw my skin off. My chest and neck feel like sandpaper. There are bumps that I can't even see and lots I can see. Under both breasts it is just one big red spot.

INFJen

Same thing happened to me after my lumpectomy. I had a bad allergic reaction to the antiseptic they used for surgery. My neck, chest, shoulder, and right arm were covered in rashes and so itchy. It took weeks for the rashes to go away. I used over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream which seemed to help alleviate the itch.