Anesthetic or Mask Rash?

Earlier today Baby E's rash seemed to be spreading again, moving into welts near one eye. She was so fussy and uncomfortable that I called the GI doctor at the children's hospital.

Dr. AT, who did the endoscopy, was on call. She said that Baby E's throat might be sore from the endoscopy and that it would be okay to give her some Tylenol. A sore throat and congestion are normal side effects of the procedure and anesthetic.

Dr. AT said that she had never seen or heard of a reaction like Baby E's facial swelling and rash after a procedure. She suspected it was some kind of contact dermatitis to the non-latex mask, and said that if it continued getting worse I should give her some Benadryl.

I noticed that E's tongue seemed a bit swollen yesterday, too. I wonder if the allergic reaction includes her mouth and throat. If she is allergic to the gas, the plastic, or something the plastic was treated with, then it might make sense that the tube down her throat or the gas hitting her lungs might have caused the same reaction internally as on her face. Poor kiddo.

I did ask them to double-check and make sure the plastic wasn't dusted with cornstarch before the procedure. The nurse said that the masks stick together a lot so she was sure they weren't, but that she would keep an eye out for that.

It's going to be a difficult task to figure out what exactly Baby E was reacting to in the anesthetic or mask. Facial swelling and rash are possible reactions to some gas anesthetics. I found information on isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane indicating that allergic reactions including rash, hives and/or facial swelling can occur as a result of these anesthetics. Halothane can also cause a rash, but it looks like it's more of a full-body nonspecific rash associated with halothane-induced hepatitis.

Since it's the first time she's been exposed to the anesthetics, though, I would think it more likely that there was some soy- or corn-derived product in or on the plastic of the mask.

I actually hope it was one of her known allergens on the plastic. I don't want to see the kid grow up with allergies to the only types of anesthetics that don't have corn and soy ingredients in them.