Allergic to stitches

[curious703]

8 months ago I had surgery to remove cysts under my arms and disolving stitches were used and I ended up with an infection. 3 months later I had a hysterectomy and both stitches and staples were used. 4 days later I had a severe infection.  All was removed. My question is; I currently am breaking out with hives, I swell and get itchy throughout my body. My GP thinks I could be allergic to the dissoving stitches. They were all removed but she tells me that I still have some that were used inside by body. Has anyone heard of this?

[Jlongstaff]

I suspected that I was having an allergic reaction to dissolvable stitches after recent cancer surgery on my face. Huge welts and itchiness came up about 4 days postoperative. They have persisted for almost two months. I have tried to isolate possible other causes but this is the only thing that makes sense.  I received a cortisone shot yesterday and better already. I hope the shot relieves the hives until the sutures dissolve completely. I am also taking Benadryl at night. My GP pretty much poopooed me, but I am 99% sure that is what caused the persistent hives on my torso,   face, scalp and behind my ears for nearly two months.

[Ucaqty2]

Hi everyone I'm just wondering if anyone  found out away or what could be used to  substitute for stitches. Right now I have to have surgery on my mouth and I'm m really afraid because I'm m not sure if I will have the same reaction to The sutures. If anyone knows of something else that can be used I would really appreciate it. Although someone told me about silk stitches have anyone ever try that?

[Castillo63]

Yes, I am going crazy not knowing which way to go. My son had spinal surgery three days later he broke up in hives. He has been to the hospital twice. Medicine is not working out any more doctors don't seem to want listen. In the mean time my son is covered in hives there is not one area of his body that he does not have them.

[Femistique]

I had a laparascopic hysterectomy on Wednesday.  My doctor prescribed Tylenol 3 for pain management. I told him I had taken this years ago and after many months I developed an allergy and started itching all over.  He said to try it, so fine.  On Thursday I took my first dose and by the afternoon and was itching.  My doctor then prescribed Ketorolac.  I took one Thursday night and one the next morning.  By the afternoon, the palms of my hands started itching, I so stopped taking pain meds all together.  Saturday morning I awoke wih puffy itchy eyes, swollen red and itchy ears, hives on my scalp in addition to my palms which were now red, hot and extremely itchy.  
I took some Benedryl and called my doctor who told me to coninue with the Benedryl but to double the dosage.  This gave me no relief at all. And, I began to think that my reaction had to be to something else that was still in my system.....the dissovable stitches.  This came to me because when my son was two years old he fell and got a nasty cut over his eye.  It was so deep the the doctor had to put in dissovable stitches below the skin and then another row of stitches to close the wound.  About three or four days later the outer stitches started to open up an the internal stitches started spitting out.  He has a large scare now because of this. There is no doubt my son was allergic to the stitches and I began to think I passed allergy to him.
So, Sunday morning I called my doctor again.  I told her my theory and her response was  I've never heard of that.  I  explained my son's reaction and she said well that is what the stitches are supposed to do!  I really don't think she was listening to me.  She advised me to go to the ER where I got the same dismissle because they assume an allergy to stitches would displapy on the incisions. They shot me up with prednisone and sent me home with prescriptions of Benedryl and prednisone.  Granted this gives me some relief but symptoms persist.  I am extremely frustrated because I know there are alternative treatments by searching the internet.  I wish doctors would understand that we know our bodies and we may have some important input.  

[pennylane_f]

In 2008 I had 2 knee surgeries that involved dissolving sutures. Both times I broke out in hives all over my body at about 1 week post-op, the point in time when the sutures begin to dissolve. My surgeon was just insistent that it could not be a reaction to the sutures; he had never seen it before and if it was the sutures the symptoms would be localized to the area surrounding the incision. Excuse me for knowing, but "absorbing" sutures means the absorbed material will become systemic, thus the hives all over my body.

Just 2 weeks ago I had breast augmentation, again with dissolving sutures. Wouldn't you know, my entire chest and armpits are covered in hives. I am on fire with itchiness! Not only that but my hands are breaking out; I even have hives on my palms. They are starting to spread to other areas of my body as well. Good thing "it's not possible" to be allergic to the sutures, according to my knee surgeon! I'm pretty darn convinced he's wrong!

Taking Benadryl before bed has been a great treatment; I'm actually able to sleep through the night without digging at myself (which I did for the first 2 nights that this started). I take Zyrtec in the morning but by the evening they are peaking again. I'm wondering if I can take Zyrtec early in the morning and Claritin later in the day, so I have relief during that period from about 4pm to 10pm before I take the Benadryl. I can't take a second dose of either one, but since they are different drugs maybe I could take one dose of each at different points in the day?

[Hanammon]

Thank you for your post.  I had breast implant removal surgery, and a month post-op I developed itchy red rash around the incision lines and it spread to my chest, back, arms, legs, head and neck.  The PS nurse said it would not likely be from the surgery since it was a month post-op and to visit my local doc.  A round of oral steroids from my local GP did not help.  I still have the rash at 3 months post-op (2 months of itching).  Even after a 6-day water fast it is still there, but it is less intense, now just on my arms and breasts.  Just when I think it is going away, it flares up again mainly on the breasts with little itchy bumps and tiny blisters that break and leak at times, then spreads to other areas.  It has been challenging, but I am glad to find out others have similar stories and to find out it is likely due to the internal dissolvable sutures.  I hope they finish dissolving soon!  Thanks

[jdbeast]

Oh, bless your heart ! I am going through this reaction but it's "only" on my knee. I am just miserable - starting about 3 wk.s after surgery for a broken knee, the incision turned dark red & began itching intensely. A few days later little pinholes began opening up, which progressed to the wound dehiscing in the middle and becoming infected. Went through one round of antibiotics and it got better. Then another area opened up, & now, at 6 wk.s, the rest of the incision has burst open with pus, but neither my surgeon nor my G.P. has been very responsive. My lung Dr. actually gave me the antibiotics for it this time ! (yes, I also  developed blood clots that traveled to my lungs.) I am just wondering when is this all going to stop so it can heal ! So discouraging to have one complication after another. I will NEVER have another surgery without telling them not to use dissolvable sutures !

[RN20062012]

I had surgery 12 years ago. I still have lumps over my upper abdomen. they become red and swell every once in a while, much like an abcess. Eventually they rupture and in the drainage, is always a stitch. Some times it appears just to be a fibrous material, and sometimes it is still tied in a knot. What do I do?

[lilmissame]

when i was 17 i had dissolving stitches that never dissolved. I went threw a double lumpectomy..yep at 17...and they used them. Both sites because nasty green and pus covered and very infected. It was worse when i had gauze covering the site. I went to my doctor who told me i was allergic to the stitches. I had to do weekly visits for over a month so he could remove stitches as the migrated to the surface and so he could clean the area. I discovered that year that I am allergic to latex and that the stitches had a latex coating.

[Tiffi_Taffi]

I had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago today and at all of the incision locations I am swelled up, have hives and itch like crazy. I have the dissolvable stitches at each location and am wondering if I am having an allergic reaction to them. The surgeon said she feels it's from the glue they put over the stitches after the surgery, but I think that is not the case. The glue had been gone from 3 of the incision spots for a while before I started having these symptoms. I feel it has to be the stitches causing me to be this miserable. I've been taking Benadryl like the surgeon recommended along with hydrocortisone cream on each location which neither seem to be helping. I am unable to sleep or get comfortable because of the itching. Please help

[JamieFaye3]

How long did your hives and swelling go on after surgery? Was it months?

[mhacuzombie]

i had an acl replacement last february...7 days after surgery, the incision sites were red and itchy.  10 days post-op, i developed blister-like lesions and the localized swelling had increased.  all symptoms finally disappeared at the 6-week post-op mark...but i know i was miserable.  this all points to my being allergic to the dissolving suture materials.  how, you may ask, do i know this?  further empirical proof occured when my sister had major surgery (over two weeks ago), and at the 7 day mark, she, too was absolutely miserable.  she has been using so much benadryl that she sleeps most of the day and night.  she also uses prescription steroidal topical cream.  why won't surgeons listen?  for such intelligent people, they sure are stupid.

[Jumpingchi]

Dear Tamas77, I am extremely allergic to titanium.  Unfortunately, three years ago, I had a surgeon who didn't really believe anyone could be allergic to titanium and placed 2 tiny titanium clamps deep in my armpit and 2 close to the tail of my breast tissue.  I was suffering SEVERE LASTING pain.  I had a mastectomy six months later and the surgeon, who also stated there were no documented cases of allergic reactions to titanium, believed me and dug the two clips out of the tail of my breast.  She stated it would be near impossible to find the two deep in my armpit without tearing the tissue into shreds, so she left them there.  I have really painful symptoms in my shoulder, arm and ribcage and my body seems to feel weak.  My neck is always in excruciating pain and chiropractic adjustments don't hold.  Neither does the benefit of a great massage.  I discovered this allergy years ago when a chiropractor was placing tiny titanium beads on acupressure points all over my body.  Within 20 minutes, I would have gaping holes underneath the beads; and upon removal of the beads, it would take over a month for these tiny, painful holes to heal.

What I do for myself to lessen the severity of the issue, is I very diligently eat an anti-inflammatory diet (there are tons of info. on the internet about anti-inflammatory foods), which, for me, includes:   excluding all goitrogenic foods (there is also many different lists on the internet of these foods.  I combined several different lists for my own personal reference) and nightshades (foods which include high amounts of solanine), most grains, most dairy, poultry and pork.  I've also have had some relief by using homeopathics.  

I hope you find some of this information helpful.

[aims24]

If the all stitches were removed you would not be getting symptoms still, any stitchure remaining would of a different kind, hives could just be an allergy to something else or stress.

I happen to have rare allergy to vicryl stitches, which didnt have any symptoms til 7 months later a blister came out on my scar and kept reopening in weekly intervals and over time the intervals got shorter, i ended up with deadly infection that was in my knee the whole time for 7 months and never showed up on blood tests. Took a swab from the knee to find it, but i had bleeding sinus, continous infection, severe ulceration, bleeding in the knee, swelling never went down after surgery. I had the stitches cleaned out and was fine after wards but had post op infection, but then another stitchure made its way out my knee by surfacing to the skin and making itself a hole to come out of, i wasnt allergic to the left over stitchure as it was different kind. But if you had your stitches cleansed out you shouldnt be getting any reaction unless they have cleaned out the stitchue you are allergic to properly

[tamas77]

hello,

a month ago i had a surgery. a titanium screw was inserted into my broken index finger. internal dissolvable stitches MAY used (not sure). Also I took tylanol/codeine, and probably I've got antibiotics during the surgery.

Everything was fine, but 8 days (!) after the surgery I broke out in terrible, unbearable rash, redness and hives all over my body. At 8am I was at the dermatologist (couldnt sleep all night b/c of the itchiness) who diagnosed me with very severe (10/10) dermographia. It's a skin condition when pressure, scratching will trigger welding, bumps, hives, and itchiness anywhere you press or skretch your skin.

I never had any allergies before. Now I'm trying to figure out, why do I'm going through on this hell? It's been a month now and it's still on. It's the titanium? Well officially it's 100% biocompatible but recent tests showing it's NOT! About 4% of the people are allergic to this material even if doctor's doesn't admitting it! Or stitches? I have to ask if I have any. Or some painkiller/antibiotics?

This is hell on earth, doesn anyone had similar dermographism symptoms as I've described above? The hives/itchiness can be triggered by pressure/skretching at any given point of my body.

There is definitely something irritating is in my body and my immunes system is fighing against that!

[rose1122]

Very interesting - I never thought to consider the allergy aspect but it has answered so much for me. I have a latex allergy have had for many years and over the years have undergone several surgeries. My C section was stitched on the inside and clips used outside. The stitches never disolved I was pulling them out through the skin years later. I had surgery on both my arms recently and the first one I went back after 10 days my lower arm was covered in raised welts... the itching had kept me up at night!! I thought it was exema! the nurse snipped the top of the stitch and pulled it from the other end, ( just one long one stitch knotted each end) she said it was a little early to do but it had healed nicely, when it came out she said it looked like new! The next arm I was going back later to see consultant, I recall both my upper and lower arm were raised and itcing with the welts.... and whilst healed the surgical site was pulling the stitch so I removed it myself! -
I have recently undergone further major surgery and have many internal disolveable - stitches the internal itching is agony! i dont know what to do. My lymph nodes in the groin are raised and painful, my legs are itching I scratch till they bleed, I now realise from what I have read it is likely this is an allergy - I wish I had worked it out sooner with the arms!! We need to educate the medical profession. I know what an ordeal it was when so many were not familiar with Latex allergies and I would take my own gloves for them particularly as my son had a latex allergy also and underwent a lot of surgery. This is a terrible dilemma but at least I know now!

[Sickofit33]

I had the vicryl stiches so I'm wondering what type I need now?  we want another baby but i'm terrified I will have more hives!  What are the most safe?

[Ijustwanttobewellagain]

I'm allergic to c-vicryl sutures.  I had a doctor refuse to take me off of prenatals after I had my second child, and it caused a rip in the rectum. I had to have rectal surgury from the fisher that wouldn't heal.  About 20 months later, while pregnant, I got food poisoning and because the stitch area was still a problem (which I didn't know about) it caused a vaginal/rectal abcess.  That ruptured into the vagina and the baby had to be delivered by c-section.  Almost 12 years later, a new doctor felt I needed to have the vaginal rectal fistula repaired, and when that surgeon was working on me, she found a wad that she sent off to a lab, thinking it was a tumor or something.  When the lab results came back, it was the sutures from the rectal surgery that had never disolved and my body was still fighting them!  Unfortunately, she had used the same sutures also, because she didn't know either, and 9 months after that, another abcess developed from those sutures that wouldn't disolve and she had to do the entire surgery over.  NOW, because of lymph node pain in the groin, and a left leg that has swelling problems,  it occured to me that I HAD A C-SECTION and they probably used the same sutures for that.  I'm in the middle of seeing doctors, and the most probable next step is exploratory surgery to see if indeed the prior sutures are the problem for my pain all these years, 21 to be exact! I have had a painful spot since the day of my c-section in the aproximate area of where they sewed up the uterus.  I've been looking online tonight to find out as much info as I could regarding others being allergic to c-vicryl sutures.  I hope this info I'm shareing will help someone else to seek help if they are still having pain in an area of a prior surgery.  Hugs from Missouri...

[ConqueringandCopingAllergies]

5 years ago I had a partial hysterectomy, after I was released from the hospital and came home 2 days later, I was spitting stitches. My ob just said to lie still longer.  Didn't matter, they spewed out every bathroom visit anyway.  She said enough of them stayed and I was healed enough, well I've had abdominal pain ever since, now I'm scheduled for exploratory surgery because the abdominal pain is so painful. Every time I sneeze or cough there's a sharp pain at the abdominal area of my sutures from the surgery.  Then one year prior to that was the miscarriage and when i awoke from that, I had the hives.  Then any small cyst or nodule I've ever had removed topically, the stitch has always worked it's way out and infected the area, for as much as 10 years, and noone said It was due to my allergicness to the stitch.  I've just come to accept it! I think I now at 43 have the attention of my surgeons and I'm allergic to 'everything' under the sun. But at least I'm still alive to raise my children. :)

[msharvey6199]

I had epicondlyitis surgery about 5 weeks ago. 2 days post-op there was a huge red welt covering my elbow, the Dr. thought it was the beginning of an infection and perscribed some anitbiotics. Well about a week after my surgery I started developing hives all over my body. I immediately started taking Zyrtec, which seemed to alleviate the itching. I could not figure out what was causing the allergic reaction. Finally through the process of elimination I figured out it was the dissolving stitches they had used. When I told my Dr. he would not believe it was from the stitches...but I KNOW IT IS! How long will it take for the hives to stop???  Why do people get reactions to these stitches? What are they made of?

[justanangel]

i just got back from my 5 wk post op from a hysterectomy and for the last five days i have been fighting a bad case of hives. My doctor lookes at the inflamation at all the insition sites and said that it was from the stiches... I have already went through 2 boxes of benedryl aand the hives on my feet and hands never get relief! Ugh...Its not easy to tolerate but he said in a couple of wks i should be over them!

                            justanangel

[christiemarie]

I had a breast reduction 3 years ago in which the dissolvable stitches were used.  I have had terrible itching, redness, welts, and pain.  The stitches are still popping out through the skin.  I get little pieces that come through.  They are transient and migrating under the skin.  I went to 3 doctors who said I couldn't be allergic to the stitches.  I am also allergic to latex.  The doctors tried to tell me it was just bad keloid scarring.  I am in so much pain I cannot wear a bra.  Finally, my new doctor is referring me for removal or remediation of the surgery.  This has ruined my sex life and my self esteem.  My partner claims my breasts taste like plastic.  I am shaken to say the least.

[Take_Charge]

I had an adverse reaction to soluble stitches when they were used in my spinal fusion surgery at age 15 (am 23 now). I did not get sores, but I DID reject them (literally, they started coming out of my body), and then I got a bad infection and had to be treated for that.

Later, when I got my wisdom teeth out, I asked for normal stitches. When all was said and done, the doc said that I healed better and quicker with the normal stitches than was the average for his patients. He said that he would start mentioning normal stitches as an option to his patients.

I would say, if you've ever had a problem with them, talk to your doctor before any future elective surgery. You may not have to go through it again.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,

I think the stitches take about 6 to 8+ weeks to fully absorb.  That is what I was told when I had my thyroid and also several moles removed.  I have had issues with the stitches causing a condition called "spitting stitches" where they aren't absorbing and my body pushes them back out through the skin ... I ended up with some abscesses along the stitch line when I had my thyroid surgery but all is fine.  These are my thoughts as a patient, like you .. not a doctor.  Hope you feel better soon ... You haven't been using anything topical in the way of ointment that could cause the reaction as another thought.

WELCOME to our Community!

C~

[Sickofit33]

I have had the same problem.  I had a c-section six months ago and ever since  I have had chronic uticartia hives.  they start about an inch above the incision and are huge.  They slowly grow up and out on my stomach then arms etc.  I have been on zyrtec but I do not know how much longer I will need to be on it.  No doctor seems to care and I've about had it.  How long can these last?  HOw long do stitches take to absorb?  I really feel this is the source of my allergy as i have not changed my diet at all.  

[vicvee]

my hives started 4 days after a triple laminectomy on my lower back accompanied by racing heart and a very intense body and head rush. my doc says my body is producing mass amounts of histamine. it also appears my liver is in overdrive.  it's been longer than 6 weeks, however I still have sutures coming out of my back. I'm wondering what the normal time for the sutures to dissolve would be.