Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced what I have. My recovery from this surgery has been altogether abysmal and disappointing. One of the worst things has been this rash I have had to tolerate. This rash manifested about 7 days post-op, I got my surgery April 27th. My surgeon didn't know, he suspected from the betadine used to wash me when I was asleep (I have never had surgery), I went to my GP after a couple more days passed and it spread more, he suspected allergic reaction as well, and prescribed me a 6 day steroid pack that started with 6 pills a day and went down from there, it worked! I was so relieved, however, it would be short-lived.... on day 4 when I only had 3 pills to take, the rash changed in texture, appearance, and got worse, spreading more and actually becoming more than just ugly, but painful and increasingly itchier. My GP phoned in another 6 day steroid pack and it was a horrible failure this time. Over memorial day weekend I went to Patient First (an open, revolving-door doctor's place) because my GP was closed, and received a steroid cream, I used all of the tube in days because of the sheer amount of space the rash now covers. I've been popping Benadryl like it is going out of style, and nothing is working. The rash began just on my abdomen, small red dots, now it's welted red dots and splotches, extending to my back between my love handles (lol), lower back, and up my sides to the sides of my breasts, and on the outside of my armpits, up my triceps. It's horrible. Have anyone, anyone AT ALL experienced this, ever? From any surgery? My surgeon seems nonchalant and not worried, I'm not worried either aside from being pestered by the pain and itchiness. I've searched all over the internet for any advice or other experiences regarding this, and come up with nothing.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the rash was never around my incisions, until a few days ago. My doctor didn't use staples, but steritape and glue.

Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

Edited June 2, 201511 yr by LadyRouge

Yikes! I got a rash like that after my last c-section. I'm sure it was an allergic reaction to something they'd given me in the hospital. Unfortunately it didn't show up until I'd been home for a few days so I don't know what the medication was for future reference. The steroid pack cleared me right up. I'm sorry that's not working for you! That's so weird that it's not. I really hope you find some relief soon! I know how uncomfortable it is.

Thank you, I hope so too! I wish the pack was longer, I suspect it would've helped if it was like a 2 week pack or so. Oh well haha

I'm 12 days post op and have it too! It started around one incision, the one that had the most surgical glue. The nurse said it looked like they finished the bottle up on that incision. I started with hydrocortisone today, and it's helping.

There's a powder, domeboro. You mix it with Water and it then soak the affected areas and it helps dry up some things like this. I had poison ivy on my legs, and used wet paper towels to drape it on the itchies. It helps cool the itch.

I'll have to try to find that, pharmacies?

Your pictures look like the rash I get (totally unrelated to surgery) if I swim in a pool, or a hot tub, or even a hot bath. The dermatologist I saw believes it isn't the Water, but the temperature change that triggers my break outs, and he may have something right there, since if I keep my skin cool and dry it minimizes the misery. I don't recommend any medication without your doctor's input, but the dermatologist prescribed a combination of an antihistimin and surprisingly, a medication used for acid reflux. Aparently the two particular medications both have antihistimin properties. The causes might not be the same as my problem, but a dermatologist might have some ideas for you, about cause and treatment.

Your pictures look like the rash I get (totally unrelated to surgery) if I swim in a pool, or a hot tub, or even a hot bath. The dermatologist I saw believes it isn't the water, but the temperature change that triggers my break outs, and he may have something right there, since if I keep my skin cool and dry it minimizes the misery. I don't recommend any medication without your doctor's input, but the dermatologist prescribed a combination of an antihistimin and surprisingly, a medication used for acid reflux. Aparently the two particular medications both have antihistimin properties. The causes might not be the same as my problem, but a dermatologist might have some ideas for you, about cause and treatment.

I actually suspected something like that so I experimented with tepid showers, super hot, etc. Nothing changed. The only thing that helped was the original steroid pack. I found something online about prurigo pigmentosa and it looks and sounds exactly like my rash. It's brought on by ketosis and eating minimal or low carbs. Which is craziness because I don't want to waste my diet and sleeve room on carbs lol. I'm going to a dermo eventually, I'll get some answers if it doesn't go away soon. I am on pepcid and Vitamin ADK twice a day, so I've got the acid reflux covered. I'm just growing frustrated. I want to enjoy seeing myself shrink (I can't see it, yet.) And I'm distracted by that hideousness lol. Thanks for your input Chris. I wish so badly it was water temps.

I have the same rash on the back of my shoulders and my back!! It drives me mad, it's so itchy ! I tried antihistamines and they don't work! I've had this rash for months ???? Any ideas how to get rid of it??

Are you sure it is not a reaction from ongoing medication u may b taking

Are you sure it is not a reaction from ongoing medication u may b taking

Yea, I'm sure. I'm not on anything new. I was taking an antacid before surgery because I have/had GERD. And the vitamin I only just started taking 3 weeks after the rash appeared and a week after it got worse. Those are the only meds I was prescribed. I've also always taken a multivitamin, the multivitamin I'm taking mow is chewable Flintstones haha.

I got it too. It took maybe 3 weeks for it to disappear. It was miserable!

I was told it was from the glue.

I never want to be glued together again. It was maddening.

i hope yours clears up soon.

I got it too. It took maybe 3 weeks for it to disappear. It was miserable!

I was told it was from the glue.

I never want to be glued together again. It was maddening.

i hope yours clears up soon.

I wish my surgeon had some idea, he only suspected what they washed me with when I was asleep. Betadine I believe it was. I'm going on a month with this ugliness. I hope it's gone soon! Thank you so much

Oh no! Have you tried eliminating certain things from your diet? When did you stop taking the painkillers? I thought I'd gotten mine from my painkillers!

No, no eliminating anything from my diet - I am not eating anything new that I didn't eat pre-op, and I'm not eating anything I don't have permission to eat. My surgeon mentioned it may be a systemic reaction, something I ingested at the hospital. Maybe the thrush prevention mouth wash thing I had to take, who knows. I stopped the heavy duty painkillers about 4 days out.

Have you considered shingles? It comes out with stress in the body and is only mildly reactive to steroids.

Edited June 4, 201511 yr by busymom_of_3

I actually didn't think of that, did you see my photos above? Does it looks like shingles? I know nothing about shingles lol

I would ask your GP to do a scraping and look for scabies. Many hospitals and nursing homes have outbreaks of it and do not disclose that to patients. Just my two cents.

I would ask your GP to do a scraping and look for scabies. Many hospitals and nursing homes have outbreaks of it and do not disclose that to patients. Just my two cents.

It isn't scabies, if it were, my boyfriend who I live with, would have them too.

I've seen a lot of shingles, it's different for most, but it does look similar. I would ask your regular doctor.

I don't think it's shingles if you don't have any blisters on the rash? It looks a lot like my eczema. I'm sorry you're going through this. I know how much rashes suck all too well.

Thank you Wishful, I'm hoping it's gone soon!