How to Use Chlorhexidine Before Surgery
Chlorhexidine is a germ-killing (antiseptic) solution that is used to clean the skin. It gets rid of the bacteria that usually live on the skin. Because your skin needs to be very clean before you have surgery, your health care provider may give you chlorhexidine to wash with before the surgery. You may be given chlorhexidine to use at home. For example, you may be told to wash with chlorhexidine the night before and the morning of your surgery. Washing with chlorhexidine before surgery helps prevent infections from developing after the surgery.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Chlorhexidine can cause a skin reaction if used improperly. To avoid problems:
• Use the solution exactly as directed.
• Do not use the solution on your …show more content…
2 Turn off the shower or stand up in the tub. Then, wash with chlorhexidine. To wash with chlorhexidine:
• If you were given a sponge, use that. If you were not given a sponge, use only a cloth. Do not use any sort of brush. If the sponge has a brush on one side, do not use that side.
• Start at your neck and scrub down to your toes. Avoid your genital area. Chlorhexidine can cause a skin reaction. Also, avoid any areas of skin that have cuts or scrapes.
• Pay special attention to the part of your body where you will be having surgery. Scrub this area for at least 1 minute.
• Be sure to get your back and under your arms.
• Do not use chlorhexidine on your head. If the solution gets into your ears or eyes, rinse them well with water. Chlorhexidine can cause hearing loss if the solution gets into your ear. It can also harm your eye if it gets in your eye and is not rinsed out.
○ Rinse your body completely in the shower or tub. Be sure that all body creases and crevices are rinsed well.
4 Dry off with a clean towel. Do not put any substances on your body afterward, such as powder, lotion, or
Chlorhexidine is a germ-killing (antiseptic) solution that is used to clean the skin. It gets rid of the bacteria that usually live on the skin. Because your skin needs to be very clean before you have surgery, your health care provider may give you chlorhexidine to wash with before the surgery. You may be given chlorhexidine to use at home. For example, you may be told to wash with chlorhexidine the night before and the morning of your surgery. Washing with chlorhexidine before surgery helps prevent infections from developing after the surgery.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Chlorhexidine can cause a skin reaction if used improperly. To avoid problems:
• Use the solution exactly as directed.
• Do not use the solution on your …show more content…
2 Turn off the shower or stand up in the tub. Then, wash with chlorhexidine. To wash with chlorhexidine:
• If you were given a sponge, use that. If you were not given a sponge, use only a cloth. Do not use any sort of brush. If the sponge has a brush on one side, do not use that side.
• Start at your neck and scrub down to your toes. Avoid your genital area. Chlorhexidine can cause a skin reaction. Also, avoid any areas of skin that have cuts or scrapes.
• Pay special attention to the part of your body where you will be having surgery. Scrub this area for at least 1 minute.
• Be sure to get your back and under your arms.
• Do not use chlorhexidine on your head. If the solution gets into your ears or eyes, rinse them well with water. Chlorhexidine can cause hearing loss if the solution gets into your ear. It can also harm your eye if it gets in your eye and is not rinsed out.
○ Rinse your body completely in the shower or tub. Be sure that all body creases and crevices are rinsed well.
4 Dry off with a clean towel. Do not put any substances on your body afterward, such as powder, lotion, or