Chlorhexidine is a valuable antiseptic in clinical settings. However it may be associated with a number of adverse effects. The presence of chlorhexidine may not be immediately obvious and so the source of a reaction may be overlooked.
Chlorhexidine may be present in:
(1) skin cleansers
(2) mouthwash
(3) ophthalmic wash
(4) impregnated medical devices such as intravascular catheters
(5) dressings intended to reduce the risk of catheter-related infection
(6) urethral anesthetic lubricants
(7) shampoo
The most common adverse effect is allergy, which may range from urticaria to contact dermatitis to anaphylaxis. The presence of an allergy can be confirmed on allergen-specific IgE testing.
Chlorhexidine may also be toxic if misused. Accidently irrigation of joints with chlorhexidine results in chondrolysis.
Barriers to diagnosis:
(1) failure to identify the presence of chlorhexidine
(2) failure to appreciate the fact that adverse reactions can occur to chlorhexidine
(3) the presence of alternative explanations for an adverse reaction
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
