Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 11/5/2011

Question
My son 14-year old recently underwent inguinal hernia repair.  He was recuperating nicely at home.  5 days post op he went back to school and that afternoon developed generalized hives (very itchy).  He was put on Prednisone the next day because it was getting worse but no respiratory symptoms.  I would like to know if this is any way still related to his general anesthesia.  There were no changes in his food, laundry detergent, soap  or medicine.  His incision looks fine to me.

Answer
Hi There Maida
Sorry to hear about your sons problem and I hope it has settled own now.
It is unlikely to be related to the anaesthesia due to the delay in this starting. It would seem to be more likely that he was exposed to something in the environment at school. However I suspect this will be something that goes and never comes back and so tracking it down will be difficult.
As a long shot - there are theories about how anaesthesia can effect your immune system so perhaps his response to some allergen was altered postop by a reduction in the effectiveness in part of his immune system.
No definite answers I'm afraid.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson