Allergic

I am a 49 year old male and had a pacemaker put in 2 weeks ago, i have been getting a blotchy rash and hives which come and go, does anyone know if you can have an allergic reaction to pm or leads? Rash occurs on chest front part of shoulders and arms. I am not on any medication, Cardiologist discounts possibility.
Thanks

6 Comments

Allergic Reaction

by J.B. - 2009-11-12 07:11:07

There have been reported cases of allergic reaction to the metal (titanium) in the pacemaker case and to the insulation on the leads. If the rash persists, see your doctor.

Any other allergies?

by bobad - 2009-11-12 08:11:19

Finn,

Incidence of allergy to titanium, polyurethane, and silastic are very low, less than 2% IIRC.

If you are allergic to anything else, the chances of being allergic to your pace maker and leads go up dramatically.

Best of luck,,,

Hi Finn

by Pookie - 2009-11-12 08:11:54

I just did a quick SEARCH (up in the right hand corner of this screen) click there and then type in allergic and you will find a couple of posts similar to yours.

It can happen!! being allergic to something your pacer is made of.

Best of luck.

Pookie

Allergy

by Bill-2 - 2009-11-12 10:11:53

I agree with J.B. that if the rash continues see your doctor. As for Finn offering some stats that says it probably is not an allergic reaction to the pacemaker or leads, I'll use his numbers for this example. If there are less than 2% of the people that have an allergic reaction and based on what Medtronic says, there are more than a million pacemakers in use world. That means possibly there are 20,000 miserable people out there because they have a pacemaker. Is it possible you could be 20,001?

Bill

Rash

by lenora - 2009-11-13 01:11:00

There are some other possibilities. Did you get an antiobiotic before the procedure? My cardiologist gives 2 doses of IV Vancomycin one before and one after to prevent infection. What meds were you given during the procedure for sedation and pain, etc.? Do you have steri strips or any kind of dressing covering the site? Are you cleaning the incision with anything you might be allergic to? Just a few thoughts. If you develop redness, swelling, or drainage at the site or are running a temp you need to see your doctor again.

Rash too

by jfuhring - 2012-02-13 01:02:51

It's been three weeks since I received my biotronik Evia pacemaker. I started developing a rash on my chest below my pacemaker. It's not hoy nor does it hurt. It also does not itch. I'm thinking it's from the natural bacteria under my arm. Not being able to move my left arm for two weeks - to avoid pulling my leads out - has caused a rash in my arm pit. I wonder if it's migrated to my chest?

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In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.