Possible side effects of pace maker

9 months after receiving a PM I wonder if my recent outbreaks of skin eruptions on both arms could be related to the PM.  I ruled out pregnancy due to my lack of a uterus.  I also ruled out poison oak and ivy  because i've been snow bound for a month, although the eruptions look a bit like the poison ivy and oak rashes but with none of the wetness or redness associated with such.  I haven't ruled out warthog syndrome though.  Any ideas ,even slightly flip like my own, would be appreciated.


5 Comments

On a more serious note

by Gemita - 2022-02-01 14:03:08

I would send a pic of your rash to your general doctor for his/her opinion, or better still make an appointment to be seen.  I wouldn’t go guessing about something that might need treating, or caused perhaps by an allergic reaction to one of your meds or to something else?  Not everything can be blamed on our pacemakers

Possible side effect from PM

by TAC - 2022-02-01 22:56:13

Instead of attempting a self diagnosis, I would see a dermatologist first. It seems unlikely to me that a PM implanted 9 months ago, would start causing a reaction now.

allergist

by Tracey_E - 2022-02-02 09:13:45

I would see an allergist. GP will just refer you. Dermatologist will treat the symptoms but not go after the cause. It's highly unlikely it's the pacer, more likely something you've touched or eaten. New soap/shampoo/laundry detergent? 

Blame the pacemaker? Not yet.

by Gotrhythm - 2022-02-02 11:54:54

Since getting a pacemaker is an extremely significant event emotionally as well as physically, it's easy to attribute absolutely every change to it.

I'm unfamiliar with warthog syndrome, but really, red bumps on the upper arms is pretty common, particularly in the drier winter months. 

Allergy to a pacemaker is such a long shot, I'd rule out absolutely everything else, before suspecting the pacemaker caused a rash on the arms.

I have no experience with either dermatologists or allergists, but it seems to me that a visit to one or the other would be a good idea.

Since invited to share a hypothesis...

by Persephone - 2022-02-03 15:44:10

Hi Ickabod - hope you're overall feeling well with your PM, despite your skin condition.  Since we're invited to offer ideas about what the skin condition could be, and you provided the clue about being snow-bound, I'm going with dry indoor air, potentially combined with a sensitivity to wool clothing that you might be wearing due to cold temps. Throw in harsh soaps and detergents (most of these are strong enough to clean your floors and are overkill for human skin), and add scented body products and laundry detergents into the mix.  Sounds like you're female, so perhaps a hair dye sensitivity is involved as well.  

There is a lot of helpful info online about using only gentle skin cleansers rather than soap, and the need to apply a non-irritating skin lotion after bathing.  Room humidifiers can also help.  Good luck with taking care of this - it sounds uncomfortable.  I have typically found that nipping such an issue in the bud is the best approach - which could take a topical medication prescription - rather than letting it linger on and potentially damage your skin - remember it is your body's largest organ.

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