Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 9/3/2008

Question
I had surgery and about a week later I had a reaction, any place I scratched would become welped up and my skin would become very red and irritated,I just had another surgery and this time it comes up in small bumps but still itches like crazy and spreads in small areas. This has taken place after each surgery about a week or so after the surgery. Any help you might have or something to counteract this side effect would be great.

Answer
Hi Troy
This is interesting and I'm not certain what the causal factor is. It sounds like you are having some form of delayed hypersensitivity reaction that makes certain cells in your skin release histamine. This causes the redness and itch.
An immunologist or dermatologist might be able to help to track down the causal agent or you could just speak to your anaesthetist and chat through which drugs were used in both your anaesthetics and then come up with a shortlist of possibles.
As to prevention - avoiding the causal agent would help but does onvolve all of above and so can be difficult. Otherwise ensure that you tell your anaesthetist about this the next time you have a GA and they can look carefully at what they use and perhaps give you some antihistamine tablets to take home so you can start on these as soon as any symptoms appear.
Sorry can't give you a definitive answer on this.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson