# No lotions or creams before colonscopy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2021, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290 "2021-04-19T08:28:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/41 "2021-04-20T01:19:30Z")
This survey paper seems to cover the ground rather well. > **[Sedation in Colonoscopy](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4973564/)** Takeaway quote is this: Ultimately, gastroenterologists want their patients to be happy and to feel unafraid of repeat surveillance or screening colonoscopy. In that regard, propofol use may become more common in the future because it can meet these needs better than conscious sedation. Propofol is a milky white. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/42 "2021-04-20T01:38:06Z")
I think you miss @Roderick_Femm’s point - the alcohol is for wiping off lotions so things stick. Getting back to the OP, if the reason for "no lotions’ is to let things stick, I’m surprised it’s a concern given that alcohol will take off almost any lotion residue, and alcohol wipes are always to hand in any medical setting. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/43 "2021-04-20T03:07:12Z")
Yes, that’s correct, thank you. I reckon I could have written that more clearly. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/44 "2021-04-20T03:21:26Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think sedation as an option makes sense, but i have no idea why it’s standard in the US. I think doctors just prefer not to have a busy body patient in the room. You can’t be sedated without your consent, unless it’s for a lifesaving procedure, for which you signed a blanket consent. If you didn’t, you’re not getting the procedure your went there for. I was given a lot of choices-- more than I wanted, in fact. I just wanted to say “Put me out, be done,” but I had to got through every step, and authorize first, second and third choices of comfort management, and note known allergies. > [@BeeGee](#): > > It’s outpatient here, too. For the upper, you have to demonstrate that you can drink and hold down liquids. They brought me whatever drink I wanted as soon as I seemed alert, and I had to drink a certain amount of it, and keep it down for 1/2 hour, then I could be released. They kept asking me if I was in any pain, so I assume if I had reported pain, I would not have been discharged. I always have a biopsy-- sometimes multiple biopsies-- with uppers, so that may be part of the reason for serious sedation during them. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/45 "2021-04-20T04:08:30Z")
They did not have me drink anything. Huh. Also, your have to consent to sedation, but the doctor doesn’t have to do the procedure. The last time i had an upper gi the doctor said he wouldn’t do it if i didn’t agree to be sedated. I’ve spent some time finding a different doctor for my next one. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/46 "2021-04-20T09:27:29Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Another thought: If they see something during the colonoscopy, they will usually grab a biopsy or remove a polyp on the spot. How painful would that be without anesthesia? I had polyps removed both times. I watched on the screen as he did it and I felt nothing at all. One polyp was quite large and it bled, so he put a couple of tiny plastic clips on. I asked about them and the consultant said that they would pass through next time I pooped. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/47 "2021-04-20T15:06:02Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I think you miss @Roderick_Femm’s point - the alcohol is for wiping off lotions so things stick. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Yes, that’s correct, thank you. I reckon I could have written that more clearly. Having just spent two weeks in the hospital, I can affirm that every iv and blood draw is preceded by an alcohol swipe. That’s to prevent infection and has nothing to do with lotions and creams. That’s also true in clinics and my doctor’s office. Alcohol is used whenever your skin is being penetrated. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/48 "2021-04-20T15:39:49Z")
Five weeks in, since Sept, over sixty days in the last ~three years. - Alcohol wipes, same kind diabetics use, for blood draws. - 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% Isopropyl alcohol for IVs (including a couple of midlines and three central venous catheters) [These](https://www.google.com/search?q=chloraprep+applicator&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiL3Z2Qko3wAhXrdd8KHZU8CXkQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=chloraprep&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgDMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIAFDR3wNY0d8DYNiLBGgAcAB4AIABkwGIAZMBkgEDMC4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=svN-YIu8Iuvr_QaV-aTIBw&bih=480&biw=1050&rlz=1C1CHHM_enUS766US767&hl=en) things, it’s a smell you won’t forget. - There’s a prep wipe to make stuff stick better to your skin. - There’s a prep wipe to protect your skin from the stuff they’re sticking to it. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/49 "2021-04-20T21:48:39Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > There’s a prep wipe to protect your skin from the stuff they’re sticking to it. Annnnd there’s a post-prep wipe to take all those off when we’re done. Or wait til you get home and use goo gone like I do. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/50 "2021-04-20T23:01:04Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Maybe in the crazy US system, this is just another opportunity to add charges. What!? You think the AMA is out o’ control? Nah, couldn’t be. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/51 "2021-04-20T23:27:04Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > [These](https://www.google.com/search?q=chloraprep+applicator&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiL3Z2Qko3wAhXrdd8KHZU8CXkQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=chloraprep&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgDMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIAFDR3wNY0d8DYNiLBGgAcAB4AIABkwGIAZMBkgEDMC4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=svN-YIu8Iuvr_QaV-aTIBw&bih=480&biw=1050&rlz=1C1CHHM_enUS766US767&hl=en) things, it’s a smell you won’t forget. I had to use these for weeks after I got home. I don’t remember any smell at all. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290/52 "2021-04-23T03:15:22Z")
Well, I had the colonoscopy yesterday. Everything’s normal. Yay! They wiped my wrist with alcohol before inserting the tube. This was my first experience with Propofol. I could plainly hear conversations and felt something tugging at my rectum a few seconds before I woke up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-lotions-or-creams-before-colonscopy/940290.md?page=2)