Comments on: Allergic Reactions to X-Ray Contrast Can Be Treated without Long Term Problems

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:20:30 +0000

It is almost impossible for us to sort out what might have caused the rash.

Be sure to call the doctor if it appears the rash is getting worse and get immediate help if you start wheezing or having trouble breathing.

By: mary Lanser

mary Lanser — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:42:29 +0000

I had a ct scan with oral contrast and IV admininstered contrast back around the middle of Nov. 2010. I was ill for a couple of days after the scan, but then felt better. The end of December I started with a rash that traveled to my face which made it swollen, red and itchy, then my eyes got swollen and blood shot. My doctor gave me a couple of courses of prednisone, which helped but after a few days of not taking it, the allergic reaction came back full force. Finally my face cleared up, but my eyes remained irritated, red and then my eye lids and face began to peel and flake. Just a couple of days ago my eyes improved and I thought I was getting well. During the night I woke up itching, and in the morning part of my face was red and itchy as well as my eyes. I got referred to Dermatology, but since it was determined that my condition was not life threatening, I have had to wait a month to be seen. There has been nothing unusual about my life, except that I had the ct scan with contrast, so I am wondering if an allergic reaction could come on delayed like that in response to that treatment?

By: Mike Dietel

Mike Dietel — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:41:57 +0000

Heart CT Scan with contrast caused severe anal pain internally as high up as my belly button,and when I went home there were BLISTERS and BURNING AT THE ANAL OPENING.The surrounding tissue was bright RED and painful. Doctor replied ” I’m a Heart guy not a GP go to the emergency room.”

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:18:58 +0000

One more suggestion: if you have an allergy to any food, medication, or IV contrast, be sure that the facility where you are being treated puts an wrist band indicating allergy on when you first get there.

Don’t take it off and point it out to anyone who tries to give you something that you are allergic to. Don’t be shy in just refusing!

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:16:27 +0000

If you still have swelling, call the doctor and ask for additional help. You may need a longer course of steroid treatment.

We are not doctors here at C3, so can’t tell you what treatment you need, but you do need to let the doctors who treated your allergic reaction at the hospital what’s going on.

By: Shari

Shari — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:51:40 +0000

I had a CT scan on Tuesday and my doctors orders were to do the test without the contrast,but they did the contrast anyway. I got numb in the mouth and my eyes got swollen within 5 minutes I could not breath my throat was swollen. They called and ambulance to come get me and I was taken to the hospital.It is Thursday and my face is still swollen and I don’t know what to do?

By: Deborah Kanter

Deborah Kanter — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:03:59 +0000

Allergic reactions to contrast is an important consideration when administering the contrast! I learned from a horrible experience with CT scan contrast early in my cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the antidote to the contrast allergy (Medrol) also provoked allergic reactions and I spent the day miserably uncomfortable, itching, and short of breath.

Later, a nurse asked me if anyone asked if I was iodine allergic. If I was asked, and an alternative contrast was administered, this horrible reaction might have been alleviated.