Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 10/31/2009

Question
I just had disk replacement surgery 16 days ago.  I left the hospital after 3 days.  On day 10 I started to experience a severe allergic reaction to something.  Hives all over my body.  I had been taking the same medications the entire time, used the same body soap and laundry soap.  Is it possible to get an allergic reaction form anesthesia, that many days after being released?  Is is possible that I am allergic to the tape they used to cover my wound (which still looks very red & swollen)and it is now affecting my entire body?  Antihystamines & cortozone cream is not alleviating the problem.

Answer
You are not allergic to the anesthesia. It is possible that you have a latex allergy (explains the tape) but you probably would have seen that sooner also. Whatever it is you should be seen by your physician because it is only likely to get worse.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston