CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) Body Wash Before Surgery

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is a skin cleanser that kills germs. Your surgery team may tell you to wash your body with a CHG cleanser before surgery because it gets rid of a large number of germs on your skin. This helps keep your surgical site clean and reduces your risk for an infection.

How to wash with CHG

CHG comes in different forms. Two common forms are disposable cloths and liquid soap. Follow all directions for the CHG product your surgery team has told you to use. Below are some tips to help.

Your surgery team will tell you:

• Which type of CHG cleanser to use

• How often to wash with CHG

• How many days before surgery to wash with CHG

Below are common procedural steps for CHG cloths and CHG liquid soap. Your surgical team will let you know if any of these steps need to be changed. Always follow your care team's instructions.

Washing with CHG cloths

Follow the instructions on the package. In general:

1. First, take a bath or shower with your regular soap and shampoo. Don’t shave any body part below the neck. Don’t dry off with a towel.

2. Then, clean your body with CHG cloths from the neck down only. Don’t use CHG cloths on your face, hair, genitals, or anal area.

3. Use 1 cloth for each part of the body. This means 1 cloth each for chest, belly, each arm, each leg, and back.

4. Wipe the cloths back and forth. Don’t scrub your skin.

5. Your skin may feel sticky for a few minutes. But don’t rinse. When your skin is fully dry, the sticky feeling should go away.

6. Let your skin air dry. Don’t dry off with a towel.

7. Don’t use any makeup, powder, lotion, or deodorant on your skin.

8. Do not re-use cloths. Dispose of them in the trash. Do not flush them down the toilet.

Washing with CHG liquid soap

Follow the instructions on the package. In general:

1. First, take a bath or shower with your regular soap and shampoo. Don’t shave any body part below the neck. Rinse off fully.

2. Then, wash your body with CHG liquid soap from the neck down only. Don’t use CHG liquid soap on your face, hair, genitals, or anal area.

3. Wash your body gently for 5 minutes. Wash your surgical site well.

4. Rinse off the CHG soap. Your skin may feel sticky for a few minutes. But don’t rinse off with more water. When your skin is fully dry, the sticky feeling should go away.

5. Let your skin air dry. Don’t dry off with a towel.

6. Don’t use any makeup, powder, lotion, or deodorant on your skin.

CHG needs to stay on your skin

It's important not to wipe off the CHG that is left on your skin after rinsing. After washing with CHG, let your skin air dry. Don’t dry your skin with a towel.

Risks of using CHG

Washing with CHG is generally safe. Some possible side effects may include:

• Skin rash (usually mild)

• Skin dryness

• Allergic reaction (in rare cases)

• In very rare cases, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Your risks may differ. This depends on your age, your health, and other factors.

Let your healthcare provider know right away if you have any skin irritation. Some people may have an allergic reaction to CHG. If that happens, your provider will decide if you need to stop using CHG.

A CHG body wash might not be right for you if you have:

• Serious skin conditions

• Skin irritation

• Broken or cut skin

• Burns

Your healthcare provider will decide if washing with CHG is OK for you. Always talk with your provider if you have any concerns.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if:

• You are unsure about how to use CHG

• Washing with CHG feels uncomfortable

• You have skin irritation after washing with CHG

• You have an allergic reaction