Can blood transfusion cause rashes and blisters on face?

Question

Hi doctor,

I delivered a baby through normal delivery 15 days before, and I got one unit of blood transfused. Yesterday, I got rashes and blisters only on my face, which keeps increasing. What to do? I am taking antibiotics, multivitamins, calcium, and iron supplements.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Blood transfusion and antibiotics are the two reasons, which can cause rashes in your situation. You have to wait and watch. If the problem increases, you need to take steps like changing the antibiotics and evaluating blood transfusion. But, if the problem resolves itself in four to five days, then no need to worry and continue your medicines.

If you can send me photos of your problem, I can assess the condition and give you better advice.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

As I said, it could be a drug reaction. But, by seeing your photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity), herpes is another disease, which can be suspected.

Herpes is very common after pregnancy, and physical stress is a triggering factor for that. I would suggest you consult a local dermatologist and rule out herpes. If it is not herpes, then it is a drug reaction. But, as you said, it is not increasing even after you have not stopped.

The second thing that gives me doubt is that if you see your face, are the lesions present only on one side of the face? So, I would suggest that you visit the local dermatologist because it is complicated to say 100% that it is herpes or a drug reaction in your photos. It is unlikely that it could be something else. So, there are only two diseases, which we have to rule out either herpes or drug reaction. I rule out blood transfusion-associated reaction because it would be widespread and severe if blood-related. Also, tell me, is there any pain? Have you got a mouth ulcer and any other body part involved? Is this a sudden reaction? Did it come after two to three days of medicine?

Revert with the answer to the above questions to help you.

Thanks and regards.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You have to see a dermatologist in person to confirm whether it is herpes or not. Because in drug reaction only face involvement will not be present. Drug reactions will affect other parts of the body too. It is very difficult to say with photos because you do not have a typical herpes lesion but a high possibility of herpes. At present, my diagnosis is more in favor of herpes than drug reaction.

Hope it helps.

Thank you.