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Allergies and intolerances

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Severe skin allergy to antiseptic cream (Savlon). Anyone else experienced this?

8 replies

smallgreyelephant · 30/01/2019 10:33

Hello,
As per title my 10yo had a "severe allergic skin reaction", in the GP's words, to Savlon. It involved huge fluid-filled blisters, extreme itching and deep scarring. I will spare you the photos ;-).

GP referred us to the hospital allergy department for tests but they messed us around and, without seeing her or the photos I took of it, said it's not their department. GP reckons that we won't get any joy from the hospital and we can't afford private investigation.

So I wondered if anyone else out there has had experience of this and what you do with children's scrapes and wounds. I have a supply of plain saline solution (like for eyes) that I keep for little injuries, which is also good because you can squirt the jet of saline at the wound and get bits of grit out.

Also I've noticed that organisations like schools no longer carry antiseptic creams. They wash wounds with water.

On the advice of GP and several nurses I am treating this as an allergy and avoiding any contact with antiseptic cream for my 10yo. I don't know without testing what ingredient caused this issue. GP reassured me that the ingreds in oral antibiotics are not the same as skin antiseptics. Phew.

So have you come across this? And do you have words of wisdom for keeping kids' scrapes clean?

Many thanks!

OP posts:
legolimb · 30/01/2019 10:37

I always just used hot saltwater on DS minor scrapes. Also on myself.

Cheap and simple.

Ifyour DC had such an extreme reaction then I'd probably avoid any otc cream for now until you know for sure what caused the issue.

smallgreyelephant · 30/01/2019 10:42

Thanks Legolimb.

Do you dissolve the salt in hot water yourself? (sorry if I'm being a dimwit!)
Funny and good how the old stuff is the best. (I think I was brought up on ointments!!!)

OP posts:
Bombardier25966 · 30/01/2019 10:49

You should report it to the yellow card scheme. It's important to build up a picture of how many people this might effect.

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

smallgreyelephant · 30/01/2019 11:07

Thanks Bombardier: done!

OP posts:
legolimb · 30/01/2019 12:17

Good advi e Bombardier
Yes OP. Boiling hot water, add salt then let it cool a little.

Used it loads to heal piercings too.

TailEndCharlie · 06/03/2019 20:10

I have a child who is anaphylactic to peanuts so understand the run around of diagnosis! But I actually have a thing called a colophony allergy.... a strange skin reaction that involves blistering to substances that rosin in (it is a collection of things that get lumped together). So far I have had reactions to Savlon disinfectant liquid stuff, lacquer on costume jewellery and belt buckles etc, fabric strip plasters, zinc oxide tape, Lipcote, bikini wax and maternity sanitary pads (that really was the worse one to discover just hours after having a baby!). I have survived without savlon! Tend to use those disinfectant alcohol wipes you get in little sachets. I am definitely not allergic to alcohol! Hope this helps but keep an eye out for adhesives.... oh I use waterproof plasters and they are fine as are compeed type blister ones, its just the stretchy brown plasters or white strapping tape that are the problem.

TailEndCharlie · 06/03/2019 20:11

And yes GPs look blankly at me when I say colophony allergy!!

smallgreyelephant · 07/03/2019 10:11

WOW TailEndCharlie. That sounds like it. I'm going to do some searching online. None of us in the family like pink/brown thick sticking plasters. And my daughter used to play violin- could have been exposed to the resin there. I'm going to do some digging online...
thanks for the info!

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