Open incision problems with tape ideas?

One of my incisions opened at about a week out and it's been healing nicely. I was wet packing it at first and now am to the point where I just need to cover it with gauze. My problem is this.

Thursday on the hottest day this year I was riding in the car with the sun beating on the left side of me and I felt what I can only describe as a "burning" sensation where the tape was. I thought it was odd and it itched a bit so I itched it no big deal. I got home and it felt fine.

Then it was time for my shower and I slowly removed the tape to let the water run on my wound as I was instructed only it took my skin with it. at both edges of the two pieces it ripped off a layer (or more) of skin. I actually have what looks like a rug burn scab on the furthest left side where it was burning the most.  The other 3 edges are very pink like new skin pink.

So the last two days I used a smaller size guaze and I taped it in an "X" shape so the tape wouldn't be where I was raw and sore, but today I'm noticing some redness at the edges there too.

I have tried 3 different types of tape since surgery and only one holds well and it's the one that did this. 

Can I leave it uncovered when at home? it's still open a tad bit and kind of oozy but I am wearing an old shirt that I don't care if it gets wrecked. Or does it need to be covered to heal properly?

If t needs to be covered any ideas of how to keep it covered without damaging my skin further?

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any ideas.. I'm about ready to wrap myself like a mummy lol

I have issues with adhesives, so I can feel for you. I'm not a nurse or medical person in any way, so I can't answer your question.

I think that the thing I would do with my OWN body.... if it was like a cat scratch (we have a kitten, and I'm sporting a number of those right now) or even a sliced foot from stepping on broken glass (did that yesterday) I would generally not put a bandaid on it unless I felt it would get infected.

It sounds to me like you need to contact your surgeon's office and ask their professional advice. THEY are the ones who know YOUR wound, so ask their opinion.

I avoid all adhesives at all times, a band-aide is a band-aide shaped wound in my world.

 I had to pack two open wounds and had the same thing happen to me. It was horrible. Hurt worse than the incisions. A nurse told me to take Benadryl bc it is an allergic reaction to the tape and to put cotizone cream on it. It healed right up in about 5 days!

Thanks! and yes it does hurt worse than the incision.. I am just worried about keeping the incision clean and covered. I've left it off for a couple hours today but it makes me nervous.

The mummy idea may come to fruition before today is done lol

 I am a mental health professional not a medical one, but I can tell you that when almost the full length of my tummy tuck incision turned necrotic and I spent 5 months packing the crater in my belly, I developed significant problems from having adhesive on my belly for so long.  I am sensitive to some adhesives and because of the large size of the wound, it took a lot of tape to hold the two abdominal ads in place. Both my plastic surgeon and RNY surgeon told me it was ok to leave the wound open and exposed to air (but still packed when it was still at the stages when it needed the packing) if I was just at home.  When it was still packed with wet gauze it was a bit of a problem keeping my clothing dry, but once I was no longer packing it, I left it uncovered all the time at home.  My PS said that the risk of infection was quite low as long as my home was clean and not something you would see on "Hoarders", LOL.

Lora

Thanks Lora! lol @ hoarders, my hubby has OCD with cleaning so no issues of that here.

I had a LOT of packing with my TT years ago and ended up with a wound vac for a bit, it took a year to heal that is why I am kinda freaked out. I have a bandaid covering it now for bed but left it open all day today.

i have the same problem with were my drain hole was.. but it got to the point that its not a hole.. but i would put some lotion on the area were the tape was it will help heal it back up to help with the itching and burning that is what i did.. well good luck to you :)

 Heidi, what types of tapes have you tried?

I have tried paper tape, first aid tape, and then the tape the nurse left here for me which is the only one that sticks.

 I have the same issue.  Have to use paper tape.  It doesn't hurt quite as much.  Try that if you are able to?  Maybe a bandaid?