Excema in the OR

Specialties Operating Room

Published

I am a nursing student and I'm very interested in OR nursing. I just finished my senior practicum in the OR and I love the job. I had no problems at the beginning of the term, but for the last several weeks I have had increasingly itchy, bumpy red, excoriated patches on my forearms and hands. At first I didn't know what was causing it, but now I'm pretty certain that it's the scrub solutions I've been using in the OR. My dermatologist diagnosed it as atopic dermatitis and prescribed topical triamcinolone.

Has anyone else experienced extreme allergies to products used in the OR? If so, how do you deal with it? Can allergens successfully be avoided? Is it worth pursuing a career in the OR or should I look elsewhere?

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Specializes in OR.

Don't rule out the OR, just find what works for you... I have similar issues & have worked in the OR for a long time now, and am problem free.

I use non latex surgical gloves and a scrub that I tolerate very well.. It is just a matter of trial & error.. don't give up if this is where you want to work, it can be done!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

What kind of scrub did you use? CHG? Avagard? Betadine?

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we have surgical tech who have the same problem. she requested a different scrub solution for her that has emollient in it.

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Specializes in Pediatric and Adult OR.

There are enough scrub solutions in the OR that you should be fine. My skin and Avagard are not friends, so I use the CHG when I scrub.

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