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Case Reports
. 2017 Aug 8:2017:bcr2017219794.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-219794.

Anaphylaxis after disinfection with 2% chlorhexidine wand applicator

Sameer Bahal  1 , Samriti Sharma  2 , Lene Heise Garvey  3 , Vasantha Nagendran  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Anaphylaxis after disinfection with 2% chlorhexidine wand applicator

Sameer Bahal et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

A 54-year-old man with end-stage renal failure attended for dialysis. Within seconds of applying 2% w/v chlorhexidine (ChloraPrep 3 mL Wand Applicator) to the skin surrounding the insertion point of his dialysis catheter (Tesio catheter), he developed pruritus, urticaria, shortness of breath, hypotension and reduced responsiveness. Treatment for anaphylaxis was initiated with rapid improvement of his symptoms, and he made a full recovery. Allergy to chlorhexidine was confirmed with skin testing, and the patient was warned against all future exposure to chlorhexidine. Subsequent dialysis without chlorhexidine was uneventful.

Keywords: allergy, asthma; unwanted effects / adverse reactions.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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