Rash after c section??

[Healthfreak95]

Hi I’m just wondering had anyone got experience with a stomach rash after c section? I’m 3 days post surgery and this broke out yesterday, I’m thinking due to the things used during surgery causing some allergic reaction? Any tips? :((

Also, it doesn’t seem to be spreading or getting worse, quite itchy & blanches when pressed.

Hi have you a temperature or is there any weeping from the wound ?

No nothing at all from the wound it’s healing well thankfully & no temp!

Whereabouts is it, apart from the tummy?

It looks like the sort of rash I used to get from biological washing powder. Seems like the surgery was too long ago to be causing an allergic reaction now but have you been wearing a top washed in something new to you for example?

Otherwise, there's a thing called postpartum hives. Rashes contributed to by crazy hormones after having a baby. I wonder if that could be an answer.

Hi, first time posting but felt I needed to reply to you! I had this in 2022 for the first week after having my C section. It was so itchy and looked exactly like that.
I used an anti itch cream which only helped a little but it did go away itself, definitely within a week. I’m sure from research it was a hormonal reaction post birth, apparently more common in pregnancies with boys but could be C section related!
you have my sympathies, hope you are ok. It should go away soon!

Hi, I had that on my first section over 15 years ago as well, doctor put it down to allergic reaction to the iodine that was used during section. Cleared up within a week. Congratulations on the new arrival.

I had something like postnatal hives, looked like that but all over. Took loads of piriton for a few days on GP advice said to come right in if that didn’t work.

Yes I had exactly this after my first section- was extremely itchy for a good week or so. Gp prescribed some antihistamines which helped a little bit but not much.

Was worried it would happen after the second c section but interestingly it didn't!

Thanks very much for all your replies! My public health nurse also said allergic reaction to something in surgery, iodine, cleaning solution or plasters used etc.
it’s nowhere other than my tummy and it’s not near my scar either which makes me believe it’s to do with the iodine or something along those lines!
will update on here as well when it goes away & how!

The cleaning solution/iodine (whichever was used, really unlikely to be iodine though) would 100% have been used over the area your scar is now. If anything it would have been where it was used most, so you should have a worse rash there. If it were the drapes, it would be in a sort of square shape around and to the sides of your tummy, and across the tops of your thighs.

I feel like three days post surgery is also quite a long time for an allergic reaction to appear. But I'm no immunologist, so will absolutely stand corrected if that's not true.

If I had to guess, I would go with the post partum hormone drop causing it. After being in remission for both pregnancies, my psoriasis went a bit bonkers after birth. So I know immune responses can go a bit haywire with all the hormone changes.

NC as outing!

I had this too after c section but it came out within 12 hours, maybe much less, and got worse - spread over belly, breasts, thighs, back, and face.

No other indicators of concern. Docs thought it was topical (eg laundry powder used on hospital linens) because the area where my bra strap sits was unaffected.

It was really miserable on the hot postnatal ward and made skin to skin uncomfortable.

I was prescribed Piriton and an aqueous cream plus something called dermacool to sothe it. Cleared up after a couple of weeks.

I had this before and after C-section. PEP (I think polymorphic eruption of pregnancy). I had to have steroids as it got really bad. Also recommend Grandpa's Old Pine Tar soap - read the Amazon reviews and you will see what I mean!

I had this too op. I had to have antihistamines and steroids to clear it up.

I’ll definitely keep an eye, am taking antihistamines & applying hydrocortisone but if it doesn’t clear up in the next few days I’ll go to Gp for steroids. It’s definitely not getting worse or spreading though. Thanks so much everyone!

I got that both times - caused by allergy to the glue on the sticky plastic they cover stomach in before they cut

Normally, a chlohexidine stick is used to prep the incision site. If that’s what it is, it’d be the same thing they used to clean the back of your hand when they put the cannula in.
chlorhex can give you anaphylaxis, do warn them next time you have an op or have bloods taken.