Delayed-onset contact dermatitis caused by olanexidine gluconate antiseptic solution: effect of wiping off the...

Olanexidine glucuronide (Olanedine®), an antiseptic solution may cause skin dermatitis around one week after disinfection. Although removal after the procedure is recommended to avoid skin dermatitis, whether it is effective for preventing skin dermatitis has not been documented in detail in the literature.

We encountered two cases of delayed-onset contact dermatitis by Olanedine®. In both cases, the patient's back was disinfected with Olanedine® and was covered with a surgical drape for epidural catheterization. After catheterization and removal of the surgical drape, the insertion site of the catheter was covered with a film dressing, then the epidural catheter was taped to the back. On the third postoperative day, the epidural catheter was removed. On the seventh postoperative day, the patients reported pruritus on the back, where an erythematous papule rash was observed. However, it was not observed at the site covered by the tape to secure the epidural catheter or by the tape of the surgical drape. Symptoms were relieved with oral or topical steroids by the time of discharge.

Wiping off the remaining Olanedine® even a few days after disinfection may be helpful not only for reducing symptoms but also for preventing the development of contact dermatitis.