Chlorhexidine topical and Itching: 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."

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2014

For Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "As part of my pre-op, I was instructed to use from neck to toes, avoiding mucous membranes and the genital area. Three hours later, my nose began to really itch. I have seasonal allergies, so I didn't think too much about it. Through pre-op, the itching got worse. When I came out of surgery, itching was much worse and my upper lip was swollen. By the time I got home, itching and swelling were worse, and everywhere I had used the chlorhexidine wash was red and felt like I had a bad sunburn. I took Benadryl, which reduced symptoms. I had to take it for three days to stop symptoms from coming back."

• Kbr...
• June 7, 2015

Chlorhexidine topical for Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "I also had constant recurring rashes and itching related to my obesity. I tried a lot of different ointments, creams, and prescription antibiotic powders like NyStop. The problems seemed to never go away. I had knee replacement scheduled and knew I'd be in the hospital for several days and wondered how I'd deal with the itching while in the hospital. As part of the hospital's MRSA control program, I was required to shower the morning before the surgery with BactoShield 2% Shampoo. I didn't have any problems for 4 days while in the hospital. After returning home, a couple of days later, the rashes and itching reappeared. I used my other prior remedies to no avail. Then I got to thinking about how I went so long in the hospital without problems. I still had about an ounce of BactoShield left, and when showering, I began to use it, applying it only to problem areas, especially under my apron and in the groin area, but only after the rash redeveloped. The time between episodes went from being daily or every other day to a week. I soon used up the ounce of 2% that I had left and found another small bottle available for sale on Amazon. I reordered and seemed to be able to keep the reoccurrences about a week apart. After using up the small amount of BactoShield 2%, I found an 8 oz bottle of 4%. After using it weekly for about 2-3 weeks, I found that my problem seemed to go away. I still apply it to the affected areas about every two weeks or so as a preventative or after particularly high sweat days where I can't shower till late in the evening. It's worked wonders for me, and a little lasts a long way now. I'm attributing my initial rash problem to a bacterial concentration that couldn't be 'killed' off by the other remedies and prescriptions. The BactoShield appears to have been able to kill off the bacteria that just seemed to reculture itself when using the other remedies."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2012

For Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "By the evening of the neck lymph node biopsy, my neck was red and itchy. By the next morning, I had huge welts/hives across the area that had been swabbed. I went back to the hospital to be checked, and the nurses confirmed it was a reaction to the chloroprep (after checking in the file for medicines used). I now have it listed as an allergy."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2020

Chlorhexidine topical for Skin Disinfection, Preoperative "I have been using Hibiclens for over a year for a skin condition, and I find that it can cause skin irritations (rash, itchiness, dry skin, peeling, or blistering of skin)."