7 day holter monitor

[Westie2012]

I have a heart monitor on for 7 days and the pads are so itchy, has anyone else had this and how did you cope? It’s only day 2 of wearing it😳

[bantam12]

Yes every time as Im allergic to all things sticky, do you know if they used hypoallergenic stickies ? as they are sometimes better than normal ones. If it's really bad call them for advice, don't grin and bear it because you might end up with a really bad rash, I know someone who did that and she had horrendous blisters by the time she took it back !!

[Westie2012 in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for your advice, I called cardiology today as when I took the pads off today to replace them I had lots of red lumps where the pads had been so I’m going to get some different ones tomorrow as I need to have the monitor on all week

[Hidden]

As per your other reply, itching usually means a sensitivity. I have no other known allergies, but most stickies for Holters will begin by itching, then progressing to burning/hurting, and will leave me with welts and or blisters that scab within 3 or 4 days. Sometimes even the hypoallergenic ones irritate me, but in my case I strongly suspect it’s the gel used in the pad to conduct current rather than the adhesive itself as I’ve had loads of other types of adhesive dressings etc. with no issues at all. Give them a bell and see what they say, but I have occasionally had to weigh up the discomfort against how badly I wanted the results (the team I was under at the time were pretty abysmal generally, though).

[Westie2012 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your advice, I’m going back to cardiology tomorrow to get different sticky pads as I need to keep the monitor on for the full 7 days

[Westie2012 in reply to Hidden]

I went back Wednesday to get hypoallergenic stickers and the relief was immense, returned the monitor today and now I have red inflamed skin where the stickers were, any tips on the best thing (if anything )to calm it down ? Thanks

[Manhattan1]

i had to wear one for 24 hours.. after removing it.. the area where the stickers had been placed was red and itched for nearly 2 weeks!.. you have my sympathies

[Westie2012 in reply to Manhattan1]

Thank you

[Westie2012 in reply to Manhattan1]

I had to go and get hypoallergenic stickers Any tips on how to relieve the areas where the pads were as its very inflamed ? Thanks

[Carolx]

Good morning

I’ve had to wear 3 holter monitors this year and I too was very itchy after a couple of days.

The cardiac nurse gave me a big bag of spares so I could shower and change them.

The problem is when you take them off you itch like a dog with fleas 😂

I have faint scars from mine.

As Charlie said it’s a minor price to pay as you are wearing it for a very good reason.

[Westie2012 in reply to Carolx]

Thank you I’m going back to cardiology tomorrow to get different sticky pads

[Westie2012 in reply to Carolx]

I had to go back Wednesday and got hypoallergenic stickers , such a relief however today I took the monitor back and my skin is very inflamed, any tips to reduce the irritation welcome xx

[Carolx in reply to Westie2012]

Try not to scratch (easier said than done I know) and Sudocrem is really good. Clears up the rash in no time.

[Westie2012 in reply to Carolx]

Thank you

[Qualipop]

I had exactly the same problem. I came up in big water blisters; always do even with the hypo allergenic pads. I rang them after 3 days as I was going mad and they said to take it off as 3 days woudl be long enough. Hate the things.

[Herthelth]

In the past, I have had the same problem of itchiness, and the pads sometimes slipping out of position if the skin got moist. I tried using ECG gel around the pads to relieve the itching but that displaced the pads. The data is quite noisy during the periods when the pads are not in place.

Luckily I now work with a company where we have developed a very easy to use, wireless device which snaps onto a wearable chest strap ( so no more itchiness/slipping) and I can not only record data for over 24 hours continuously ( can recharge and snap it on for further recording) but It doesn't interrupt the activities of daily living, including a shower (as its waterproof). The biomechanical data allows interpreting whether I am active or static at every point of an ECG session. The ability to transmit real-time ECG to anyone you choose anywhere in the world makes me feel secure knowing I can seek answers when I am in doubt about my symptom being significant. The device can give buzzer alerts if you cross preset thresholds for heart rate, breathing rate, or cardiac strain.

My device is however only a single lead ECG vs a holter that can give you data from multiple leads. My device does serve the purpose of rhythm analysis and is extremely handy to have on hand. I would recommend you look for a similar device that you can wear on a chest strap ( very comfortable) that can spare you the discomfort of itching and blisters.

[Pauline762]

Yes they are very itchy!!! I took them off after 2 days and kept having showers alternate days. Don't forget to record this action on your sheet. You should have been given from a cement pads and instructions on how to refit it.