Emollient cream

[caftan]

Thank you to all who have replied to my message but I have another question now. I have been given antiseptic washing lotion to use for the 5 days leading up to my operation next Friday. My skin is very fragile and dry and I have Cetraben emollient cream prescribed to put on it, especially after a bath or shower. I'm wondering if it will be OK to use it on the day of my operation after my bath. I have to be at the hospital at 12.30 pm.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Usual advice is not to add any lotion to your skin on day of operation… does it not say anything like that in your information pack….

..and good luck

[caftan in reply to DorsetLady]

The print is very small and I have read it but there doesn’t seem to be anything there that says not to use any creams or lotions after using the antiseptic shampoo and body wash. Maybe I haven’t read all the paperwork properly yet!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to caftan]

I you think about it, shouldn’t really add anything after using the shampoo and body wash the hospital have provided. But if you aren’t sure, then do as PMRpro has advised and ring the team -you should have a telephone number on your paperwork.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it were me, I certainly wouldn't use it the day of the operation - they need the skin clean and oil-free.

But you should be able to speak to someone in the medical team to get that sort of advice.

[piglette]

I use Cetraben for the same reason as you do, but I just rub it into my lower legs not my thighs. I have had two new hips and forgot to even ask about the Cetraben, but I did list it, along with other prescribed items, when I had my premed. As the others say ask for advice from your medical team, just because I did it, does not mean it is the right thing to do!

[Rose54]

Hi

I had a hip replacement 5 weeks ago and was told not to use any creams or lotions other than given by Hospital for 5 days leading up to operation

[caftan in reply to Rose54]

Oh thanks for that

[S4ndy]

When I had my spinal op I was told not to use creams or lotions 24hrs prior to admission. Just wash with the antiseptic body/hair wash. Hope it goes well for you.

[Gimme]

Same here. I've always been told not to use anything on my skin before an op.

[Nightingales]

I think they often say no lotions or creams is so the adhesive bandages stick and things like ECG leads also because of infection risk.

[Blearyeyed]

They usually recommend that you do not use any creams or lotions for 24 hours prior to an operation on the section of the body that will be operated upon. You can always take creams with you to apply to the rest of the body after the surgery.

They usually prefer for you not to use creams on your face as well, to help the tape used to hold tubes in place stick correctly if you are having a GA.

It's good to have sensitive unfragranced face cream to apply after a surgery because the skin gets very dry on the face and neck if you have a general anaesthetic.

[Karenjaninaz]

Please do not use any lotions on your skin before surgery; it can interfere with the monitors used during anesthesia.