[ewizabeth]

I had surgery on Friday and they used betadine to cleanse the skin of my chest beforehand. I had very tight bandages covering the stitched areas and the part of the adhesive that was over the betadine area started to blister and ooze. I was supposed to keep the binding and bandages on until this afternoon but last night I had to take them off and see what was burning.

The skin was blistering all along the edges that were taped on so I had to peel all the dressings off and deal with raw skin that felt like it had been burned with a hot iron.

I'm allergic to shellfish but I can have contrast in MRI without a problem. So is betadine more concentrated with iodine than MRI contrast? I also have a fine rash all over the upper chest area where there is still betadine. I'm not supposed to scrub this area at all. I suppose I will have to gently wash it with cotton balls and warm water today.

What a crazy reaction! I'll be so glad when this is all behind me!

[ewizabeth]

Ok, I did some research and I found that being allergic to iodine and seafood has no relation to the ingredients of MRI contrast.

http://www.radiology.ucsf.edu/patien...iodine-allergy


"There is no reason to believe that iodine allergy based on skin reactions to topical antiseptics is of any specific relevance to the administration of IV contrast material."

[Kitty]

Maybe it was the tape they used.

[ewizabeth]

I thought that at first, but now there is a rash all over my chest where the betadine was. So the blisters might have been a combined reaction of the betadine and the tape? Though they knew about my latex sensitivity, unless someone goofed and used latex bandages? The bandages along the bottom where there was no betadine didn't blister.

What a weird reaction!

[Kitty]

Maybe there was something mixed with the Betadine that you're sensitive to.

If it gets worse maybe you should go to the ER......if for no other reason than to have it documented in case you have problems down the road.

[ewizabeth]

The ER means a $200 deductible, but I did take photos of it to show the doctor when I go for my two week checkup. I see my neuro tomorrow, I'll show him and it will be recorded there at least.