Before surgery, medical teams instruct patients to avoid applying lotions and other topical products to the skin. These guidelines are important for minimizing risks and ensuring a controlled surgical environment. Understanding these reasons helps patients prepare safely for their procedure.
Understanding the Core Reasons
Avoiding lotions and similar products before surgery is important for two reasons: reducing the risk of infection and ensuring proper adhesion of medical equipment. Lotions can create a barrier on the skin that traps bacteria, potentially increasing the risk of surgical site infections, even after the skin has been cleaned with antiseptics. These products can interfere with the effectiveness of pre-operative skin antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) washes, by leaving residues that prevent the antiseptics from working optimally.
Lotions also leave a slick or greasy residue, which can prevent surgical drapes, adhesive tapes, electrodes used for monitoring, and grounding pads from properly sticking to the skin. Poor adhesion can cause drapes to shift, compromising the sterile field around the surgical site. Furthermore, monitoring equipment might detach, potentially affecting the medical team’s ability to accurately track a patient’s condition during the procedure.
Identifying Prohibited Products
The restriction on topical applications before surgery extends beyond just “lotion.” This includes creams, oils (even natural ones), ointments, perfumes, and makeup. Deodorants should also be avoided, especially if the surgical area is nearby or if the facility has a general rule against them. Nail polish, particularly on fingers, must be removed as it can interfere with the accurate readings of pulse oximeters, devices that measure oxygen levels in the blood. The general rule is to avoid any topical application unless specifically instructed otherwise by the medical team.
Essential Pre-Surgery Skin Care
Patients should follow all specific instructions provided by their surgical team or hospital for pre-operative skin care. These instructions often include using special antiseptic washes, such as chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) showers, for one or more days before the procedure. Arriving at the medical facility with clean, bare skin is important. If a patient experiences severe dry skin or has other skin conditions, they should discuss these concerns with their surgeon or nurse well before the day of surgery, rather than attempting to self-treat with prohibited products. This communication ensures necessary alternative solutions or adjustments to the pre-operative plan can be made safely.