Itchy Blisters Popping Out All Over

[Aprilc804]

I had a laparoscopy 3 weeks ago and about 4 days later I developed a rash around my belly button & hairline incisions and a day later where my catheter had been. After this, at a rapid pace...the rash turned to blisters (somewhat painful & very itchy) with honey colored fluid that began to ooze. My doctor said had an allergic reaction (probably to the Steristrips) that had developed into a form of Staph Infection called Impetigo and gave me antibiotic cream. I took 3 showers a day, cleaned the area often and applied the cream. After 5 days things began to show signs of improvement but began breaking out on the back of my hands and in between my fingers (in a much smaller form, less clustered, with clear fluid but not oozing). I applied the cream right away and after 3 days it went aways. I continue with cream and one morning a few days later, blisters are pooping out in the incision areas again, on the back of hands, in between fingers and my under armpits. I go to my PCP and she doesn't know what going on. She tells me to continue with the antibiotic cream, (and to put it up my nose), gives me an oral antibiotic, antiviral cream and antiviral drug. The blisters continue! Now they are also on my stomach, back, sides, neck, behind ears, wrists, starting on my upper legs and I think on my scalp. At this point I can't keep up wit the antibiotic cream and have gone through 4 tubes. I have been on Zytrec and Benadryl for weeks and nothing helps! The only other thing different in my life that my husband and I moved a few days before my surgery & the past owner had a dog.

ANY IDEAS...ANYONE????

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Its best to allow the medication to work and give it some time before starting another.

None the less, you can let your doctor know how it has progressed over time.

Keep us posted on your health and let us know if you have any other questions.

Best regards

[Aprilc804]

Thank you for your concern & info! (I don't know if I am suppose to reply to each person's post or what...first time using this kinda thing.)

Unfortunately, I moved (to another state) just before my surgery and have been in insurance limbo since. They will not let me see my surgeon now and he doesn't want to see me either! He sent me to my PCP b/c he didn't know what was going on. I had to find a new one and have a follow-up tomorrow. I think she will send me to a dermatologist per our last conversion but wanted to give the oral antibiotics time to work. Please see my post to Vanessa Lacuesta and let me know if you have other any idea's!

Thanks again!
-ApriL:)

[Aprilc804]

Thanks for your post!

I have not finished the oral antibiotics yet. I will take them for 2 more days (7 days total). We have thought about going to the ER and will if my temp continues to rise. The surgeon's office did some kind of culture but said it came back negative (but I don't know what exactly they tested it for). I am afraid the ER won't be able to help & will just send me to a dermatologist anyway.

The blisters that were around the incision are now gone but were up to an 1/8 inch in diameter, oozing honey-colored and were like a bunch of grapes. They are painful til they pooped and very itchy!The blisters breaking out everywhere else look similar to a bite. They are smaller...though SOME are as big as mosquito bites and almost look like them. They are not in clusters...just here and there and everywhere. The inside is clear but does not ooze (only a few did in between my fingers and itch was clear and sticky). Some are hard, some are soft. They are all itchy but the big ones are terrible! I get at least a dozen new blisters a day.

One other thing is that I have food intolerances (including wheat, egg, molds) and many environmental allergies. I am wondering if something in this new home of ours could be causing and allergic reaction of some kind. I have never had any bumps for any food in the past though.

I guess really the only way to know is for them to do the culture...
ApriL:)

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I agree with your physician with regards to the pimary differential of  an allergic dermatitis with an overlying impetigo.Impetigo is highly contagious. It may spread to other parts of the body through minor cuts in the skin that may be brought about by scratching . You may be needing more than just an antibiotic cream.

Have you completed the course of your oral antibiotics? I suggest that you bring yourself to the ER and have this assessed.Culture of the fluid within the blisters or vesicles may help guide treatment.Your condition appears to  be persistent and doesn't seem to improve with the oral antibiotics.You may need intravenous antibiotics and your medications may need to be assessed.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It appears that you had a superimposed infection at the site of the allergic reaction to some substance used in the surgery. Further, the antibiotic cream which initially suppressed the infection has now proven to be ineffective most probably due to resistance developing to the drug. The same bacteria has not returned since it was not completely eradicated earlier.

You should talk to the surgeon and other doctors who treated you earlier to review your case. They probably will have to find a new antibiotic for this,. This may require a culture sensitivity testing of the lesion to isolate the bacteria and possible antibiotics which may be used.

Hope this helped. Let us know if there are any other queries and keep us posted on your health.

Best regards.