What's recommended for scars/adhesive rash?

Hi All,

Feel like I've been gone forever!  Spent the afternoon catching up on everything on the boards - hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  I'm busy stocking up on everything before surgery next Tuesday.  When I was wandering around the store, I realized I didn't know what to put on the incision sites after surgery to help with scarring.  Do any of you have anything you'd recommend? I also know that I'll be allergic to any adhesive they use and possibly the steri-strips.  Is there anything that you all used to help with that horrible rash?

As always - thanks for any tips/advice =)
Melissa

Well, if you are going with Dr. Brader and he's doing it lap I don't think you have to worry; there won't be any scars to speak of unless you are prone to the raised keloid-type scarring.   The incisions are about 1/8", there are 4-6 of them and they are taped and you are told to let them fall off on their own and they will once you start showering.   After about 6 mos., I couldn't tell you where they were and I have very, very pale skin.

I'm with Jackie. I am super allergic to all things sticky lol band aids make me itch! I was fine with the steri strips. You can confirm with Dr Brader or his nurse, but I don't remmeber being allowed to put anything on them. I had asked about neosporin etc because I have keloid scarred in the past. I am very pale and my incisions are barely visible - I have to search for them. They are maybe 1/2"-3/4" long TINY!!

Hopefully I'll run into you at one of your follow ups too! I go 1/28 for my 3 year follow up.

Liz

Hi Melissa.  Welcome back! I was fine with the steristrips but they had to use some adhesive on me by the drain, etc. and I had a horrible reaction.  You can't put anything on the incision sites.  Whitney and Dr. Brader told me I could use benadryl cream on the rash around the incisions.  Whitney even suggested that I keep it in the fridge and this helped.  I was also told I could take benadryl-- chewable or liquid.  I found using the cream and a simple Ice pack worked fine, though it was annoying!  If you warn them as you go in they are good at keeping it to a minimum-- I only had problems at 3 of the 6 incision sites.  Good luck!

Hi Melissa!

During my original surgery in 06 I did not have any reaction to the steri strips or adhesive tape.  During my port replacement in October I had an AWFUL allergic reaction to the steri strips and adhesive.  I used hydrocortisone cream on the red tichy rash.  It was horrible!   If you get the rash, don't worry.  Dr. Brader will tell you what to do.  He wanted me to go to my PCP and go on steriods (it was that bad) I told him I would rather bleed to death from scratching than go on steriods   (Totally a joke)  You will be just great!  As for the scars, mine are starting to fade but it has ony been 3 months.

Melissa,

First I am so excited for you!!!  What a way to bring in the new year.  As for the adhesive allergy question, that is me 100a% and type of tape and band aids all tear my skin.  I had Dr. Garber in York.  I told him ahead of time about this allergy and he used a purple colored glue on the outside incisions.  It pealed off in about 2 weeks like really sticky Elmer's glue.  I still had to have tape on the iv which tore my skin still but what are you going to do?  Hope everything goes well next week!!  Happy New Year!

Anita

I was also told NOTHING on the incisions.  Including neosporin etc or anything to prevent scars.  Everyone is right...they really do fade nicely.