Question:
Im itching like crazy around the incision but had no staples! Now what??

I have seen many responses to allergic reactions to the staples and to morphine but I appear to be having a localized allergic reaction only at the sides of my new incision from surgery I had back on 9/28. Right after the bandage came off, I saw several blisters had erupted at the ends of the steristrips my Doctor used to close me up. While these did itch quite a bit at the time, I thought sure that when I took these darn strips off that it would stop...boy was I wrong! Here I am now, at 3am, ten days later, itching worse than I ever have in my life, but it is only at the sides of the incision!! Can anyone out there give me some relief?? I have tried peroxide wipe downs, A&D ointment, triple antibiotic, cortizone, and am now sitting here half insane with an icepack on my stomach that is giving me very little relief. I have just taken a gulp of benadryl, if Im lucky, maybe it will at least help me get to sleep for a little while! Please answer soon as I have now itched so bad that I have opened up a small hole at the bottom of my incison from all this itching! (I am amazed that at this point I have'nt completely ripped myself back open LOL!!) Thank you in advance for your help!    — vamccarty (posted on October 10, 2000)

October 9, 2000
I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive in the steritape also. Once the tape was gone, I found that the adhesive still clung to my skin. I made a point of washing the area with a moisturizing body bath and use Sarna lotion for the itching. The Sarna is formulated to reduce itching and was recommended to me several years ago by my dermatologist.
   — Nanette T.

October 9, 2000
I had a reaction as well. The first step, if you haven't already done it, is to make sure all the residual adhesive is removed. You can do this by applying hypo-allergenic lotion to it and working it off. Then, I would follow Nanette suggestion with the Sarna. It took a few weeks for my itching to subside as well...Good luck to you and keep those fingernails clean :)
   — Allie B.

October 10, 2000
Me too!! Try hydrocortisone creme. It has helped me!
   — Doug D.