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What Causes Swollen Arm And Itching Throughout The Body After Pacemaker Placement?
Question: My mom is 81 and has a pacemaker. Her right arm is swollen and she has been iching all over her body for about two days
Brief Answer:
Normal reaction of body to external implanted device.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,Tganks for choosing HCM for your query,
Don't worry its an allergic reaction.
Our body is a closed enviroment.An external pacemaker with its wires,when inserted inside body acts as a foreign material.Our body takes some time to accept this external material introduced into its closed enviroment.
As a part of the natural defence mechanism of our body,It secretes large amount of chemicals called histamines from cells named Mast cells.
These Histamines increases the permeavility of small vessels and capilaries leading to increased inflammation and itching.
Advice
Tab fexofenadine(Allerga) 180 mg - Antihistaminic should be given once daily.
If the wound is not fully healed then a swab culture should be taken from site of incision and antibiotic coverage should be given accordingly.
In case she is having pain Tab Ultracet(Acetaminophen + Tramadol) can be taken twice daily,Don't give NSAID's.
If things don't settle in a day or two visit your cardiologist.
Please answer if she is taking any anti arrythmic like Amiodarone?
waiting,
Thanks.
Normal reaction of body to external implanted device.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,Tganks for choosing HCM for your query,
Don't worry its an allergic reaction.
Our body is a closed enviroment.An external pacemaker with its wires,when inserted inside body acts as a foreign material.Our body takes some time to accept this external material introduced into its closed enviroment.
As a part of the natural defence mechanism of our body,It secretes large amount of chemicals called histamines from cells named Mast cells.
These Histamines increases the permeavility of small vessels and capilaries leading to increased inflammation and itching.
Advice
Tab fexofenadine(Allerga) 180 mg - Antihistaminic should be given once daily.
If the wound is not fully healed then a swab culture should be taken from site of incision and antibiotic coverage should be given accordingly.
In case she is having pain Tab Ultracet(Acetaminophen + Tramadol) can be taken twice daily,Don't give NSAID's.
If things don't settle in a day or two visit your cardiologist.
Please answer if she is taking any anti arrythmic like Amiodarone?
waiting,
Thanks.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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