Skin reaction to steri-strips and tape

When they removed all the steri-strips and tape from me yesterday the nurse mentioned I have a lot of redness around the incision.  She thinks I've developed a sensitivity to the stuff.  I've never had this problem before but it seems because I've had SO MUCH on me in the last few months that I've now developed this sensitivity....not sure if it's the same as an "allergic" reaction.  ANYHOW.... I just did my daily application of polysporin cream and let me tell you, the skin is very red and somewhat itchy.  I'm not talking about one little area...this is all up and down my arms, around my breasts, down my belly, and down my legs.

The good news today is so far none of my leg incisions have split open.
I gotta look for something good 'cause the last 3 days have been tough!

Just wanted to share.....

Ouch - is there sensitive skin tape that you can use instead? Don't scratch- it will make you even itchier - easier to say than do.

Clearly there is progress since your leg incisions aren't splitting open. Hopefully the swelling with come down too.

That is strange how that happened now after all your surgeries with no problems.  You know that is one reason why my drs DON'T use steri-strips at all.  They have seen too many allergic reactions and incision irritations on patients that they have just steered away from it all together.  Dr L told me that it just makes it so much easier for those patients with sensitive skin. 

I hope the irritation and redness goes away soon.  Try some benadryl if it gets really bad.  Plus you might be able to get some rest and sleep along with it!

Take care,
Melissa

Hi Ruth!  I am glad you are healing and feeling better today, but it's just like you to find the good when most people would focus on the bad.

Ruth,
 You are such a positive ray of light! Always finding the good in things! It's encouraging!! I'm sorry about your reaction. I have the same thing happen to me if tape or adhesive of any kind is left on for any length of time. It's not fun. Try not to scratch, it does make it worse. I'm allergic to Benedryl (diphenhydramine, I know crazy huh?) so what has given me relief is to apply cool compresses to the affected area. It really helps me.

I feel your pain.  Literally.  Really.  I've always been allergic to adhesive tape and have very sensitive skin.  I had steri-strips with this last surgery and they left welps that bled for no apparent reason.  The pain from these sores is worse than the incision I think!  My surgeon told me to carry around a tube of triple antibiotic ointment and slather that on the sores every time I thought about it.  The scabs fell off within four days and the redness went away after a week.  I was told I could use Gold Bond powder for the itchy skin.  It only took two days for the itching to go away using that, but none of my itchy sores were on the incision line, so check with your doctor first if you decide to try that. 
Hope you get some relief soon,
Cindy

You poor thing!  So far I don't have any bleeding but the redness is sort of raised....looks like a rash....I how I don't develop blisters or welts. 
At least the itching is much MUCH less today.  :-)

I found out I had that with a surgery to remove a lump years ago..we thought it was tape and steri strips.  When I had my lapband they avoided the tape but I STILL got the rash (like a burn it was so bad!)   Turns out it is BENZOIN I am allergic to.  It is an anteseptic and adhesive they rub on after surgery.  It just so happens to be in the same spot as tape and steri strips ..so it can be confused.  I found out the hard way...those 2 surgeries were way more miserable because of the rash.  The next 4 surgeries I had..I made sure to mention it many times...LOL.  No benzoin...no rash.