How to Relieve a Gadolinium Rash & Itch

Gadolinium is a chemical element that is most often used in medical imaging, usually in medical resonance imaging (MRIs). MRIs commonly are used to diagnose diseases by providing a detailed image of a patient's body, including the muscoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Gadolinium is pumped into the patient's body through a vein, allowing the imaging system to visualize all the details of the internal structures of the body. Unfortunately, however, gadolinium can have some unwanted and unpleasant side effects, such as headaches, low blood pressure and rashes. The itching associated with gadolinium is easily treatable, however.

Things You'll Need

• Topical antihistamine
• Calamine lotion
• Face cloth or hand towel

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Instructions

• 1

  Contact your doctor or the radiologist who administered the MRI and explain that you are experiencing some rash and itchiness from the injection. He will determine from your description whether your rash is serious enough to warrant medical attention.

• 2

  Apply a topical antihistamine such as Benadryl cream to soothe the rash. These are available over the counter; apply to the rash as directed by the pharmacist or your doctor.

• 3

  Rub on some calamine lotion to soothe your rash from the gadolinium. Calamine lotion will help to calm the itchiness, making you more comfortable.

• 4

  Take an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl tablets. Like antihistamine creams, they work by blocking histamine, a substance that attaches to cells in your body, causing irritation.

• 5

  Carefully soak a hand towel or face cloth in hot water, wring out the excess water, and apply it to the part of your body that itches. Be careful not to scald or burn yourself.