Chlorhexidine topical and Burning: What Users Say

• Fit...
• June 10, 2019

For Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "I used the chlorhexidine wipes head to toe in preparation for a surgery. My skin was on fire. It caused the worst itching and burning I’ve ever felt in my life. I have a rash and feel like I have poison ivy all over my body. I will not be letting the hospital staff put this on me before surgery. There must be an alternative."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2022

Chlorhexidine topical for Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "I had a severe allergic reaction a few hours after my biopsy. It caused major rash, swelling, and burning. I thought it was the incision causing pain. I will be on prednisone for 3 weeks. This is a horrible product."

• Sev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2023

Chlorhexidine topical for Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "Was provided with Hibiclens to shower with the night before and the morning of the surgical procedure. After surgery, I told nurses I felt like my abdomen was on fire, they initially told me, of course, you had surgery. WRONG. From my pelvis to my breasts, I was engulfed in a horrific reaction and what looked like burns. Compound that with a surgical site. Never again."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2023

Chlorhexidine topical for Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "I used Hibiclens before my surgery without experiencing any adverse effects. However, after I arrived home, my skin began to burn and blister. One of my legs was swollen, and I felt tightness in my throat and chest area. I will never use this product again, as the reaction was worse than the surgery itself."

• Fun...
• November 14, 2014

For Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "After a blood transfusion, I developed an allergy to this medicine. Moments after it is used as a topical disinfectant, I experience a severe burning sensation, much like frozen dripping acid on my skin. SEVERE pain."

• Jda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2020

Chlorhexidine topical for Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "Applied Tegaderm dressing to a scraped knee 24 hours after injury. Wound was clean, dry, and beginning to heal. There was no open wound or oozing. As I applied the dressing, it began to sting. We thought it was from pressure. Within 10 minutes, the area was becoming reddened and burning, so we removed the dressing and washed the area with water and replaced it with normal non-stick gauze that did not irritate."

• B L...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2018

For Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "I was donating blood at a drive where I work. They swabbed my arm, and the draw was a success. Was really light-headed but went on with my workday. 24 hours later, specifically where they cleansed, I had a burning, itching, welted rash. Tried Benadryl, Cortizone cream, and ended up at urgent care. The doctor wanted to start me on steroids but then prescribed a topical cream - triamcinolone acetonide cream. In a few days, it stopped itching and the burn subsided, but my skin was really dry. I stopped applying the cream and started using vitamin E oil."

• Lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2022

Chlorhexidine topical for Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "I was given Hibiclens in the hospital and at home after a skin infection. It gave me a serious burn on my legs."