Has anyone experienced an allergy to a facelift procedure? (Photo)

Question

I have seen half a dozen doctors, including my PS many times and no one can tell me what this is. I have been on a number of antibiotic treatments, steroids, and ointments. I tested negative for staph. This Is painful, extremely itchy and causing skin discoloration that I’m afraid is permanent. It is getting better, but far from gone. thank you in advance!!!

Sanjay "Jay" Keni, MD · Answer

Hi Mashell1,I'd be curious to know how far out you are from your procedure.  The first two pictures it appears that the sutures have since been removed, so I will assume at least a couple weeks.  I have seen this issue in patients who use an antibiotic ointment with neomycin, and with patients who use petroleum-based ointments even without the antibiotic.  It appears to be a dermatitis that gets better over time as long as the skin is kept clean and the offending agent is avoided.  I assume you've already tried topical and oral steroids and antihistamines and mupirocin cream.  Regardless, follow closely with your surgeon. I'm glad it's getting better.Best wishes,Dr. Jay

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear Mashell1Thank you for your questions and photos!  I am sorry that you are having this experience.  This may be partly related to the skin blood supply - a little sluggish post surgery. You may have some underlying rosecea .  Depending on how long you are from surgery - Hyperbaric oxygen can help, and IPL skin treatments .With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

John A. Standefer Jr., MD, FACS · Answer

While I have never seen a true allergy to facelift surgery, I have seen varying amounts of relative stress to the skin due to blood flow changes that occur with any surgery. These small pustules seem to be related to the natural oiliness of the skin and with the normal stress of the surgical changes along with the swelling in the postoperative healing phase, the pustules can become more prominent. These improve with time in my experience. Keeping the wound clean and allowing the blood supply to recover is the only treatment required in most cases. The pustules can be opened with a sterile needle if necessary. It is not stated in your question how long it has been since your surgery but if you are not in the first three weeks postop, my observations may not apply. If you have had time to see half a dozen doctors and your PS many times, that certainly makes a difference. Best of luck.John Standefer MD

Amiya Prasad, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for your question. You’re asking if anyone has experienced an allergic reaction to facelift procedures.
I can certainly give you some guidance based on your photos alone, and in the absence of a physical exam. I’m Dr. Amiya Prasad. I’m a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Fellowship-trained Oculoplastic Surgeon. I’ve been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years. I regularly perform all types of facelift surgeries, and introduced facelift techniques for better patient comfort and faster healing, as well as other facial procedures to improve the jawline and cheeks.
Since you indicate that you have tried various ointments and antibiotic treatments and ointments, the likely cause of this is overuse of antibiotic ointment. I explain to my patients that antibiotic ointments such as Bacitracin, Erythromycin and Tobradex should be applied to incisions only for the first few days after surgery. The reason for this is that allergic reactions to overuse antibiotic ointment, specifically contact dermatitis, are common. People often mistake this reaction as an infection, or an allergic reaction to something else, and apply even more antibiotic ointment to treat it, thereby making it worse. I tell my patients to change from antibiotic ointment after a few days to a petrolatum-based ointment like Aquaphor to create a moist environment for healing. I also tell my patients to apply these different ointments with a Q-tip to avoid any dirt or impurities from their fingers to get into the incision and cause infection.
Contact dermatitis can be quite severe, and can recur. It’s important you see doctor such as a dermatologist to treat and manage your skin reaction.
I suggest you stop using antibiotic ointment if you are still using it, and see a doctor about managing contact dermatitis. I hope you found this information helpful. Thank you for your question.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

A biopsy would be recommended.  This way your Dermatologist and  Plastic Surgeon will know how to treat this.  You could be allergic to ointments or sutures under the skin.  I have never seen anything like that in my practice.  Follow up with your medical team and hopefully, this will be resolved soon.

Has anyone experienced an allergy to a facelift procedure? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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