I'm almost 2 weeks post surgery. My durastrips (sp??) that cover my incisions are starting to peel back. I've developed a red and very itchy rash in those areas. Is this normal?

Mine aren't really peeling off yet, but two have the corners lifted off just a little bit. When is your check-up? I had mine and one of the incisions was a little pink and they asked me how long it had been that way, told me if there's were any changes to let them know. If there were then I could take a picture and email it. I wonder if maybe you should call your doc Monday and ask if they want to see you or even email pictures. It's probably nothing but I'd let them check it out. I do know that mine are healing because they itch like crazy!! It would almost be worth the pain to scratch them like crazy!! Lol not really

I'm 9 days postop and my incision sites have Dermabond covering them which is peeling. One of my sites itches and I've been scratching it without realizing it. I notice its worse in the evenings but by morning the redness is gone and the itching is better. Hope this helps.

It will get itchy as it heals. Ever notice when you start scabbing from a scratch that it itches? Mine itched as it healed too.

Mine itched like crazy! The healing process was to blame but also those steri strips definitely caused my skin to get irritated. I had to put lotion around them as much as I could and that helped. It's probably not recommended to do so tho...

I would defiantly call your Dr. It could be the strips that are irritating you, but you need to be sure because any redness around a wound is a sign of infection especially if there is heat coming off it. I'd call about it. Good luck

~~~Stephanie

Thanks everyone. I will call the surgeon in the morning.

did you called? Mine are super red, but only the little ones, the port is looking sharp!. I'm really concerned now and I'm calling my doctor right now.

I did call my doctor...twice. The first time (I was exactly 2 weeks post op) the nurse said to take off the strips and start applying hydrocortinsone cream. Well, that was 4 days ago and the rash hasn't gotten any better so I called the doctor again. I had to send a pic of the rash (I never thought I would text a picture of my ugly stomach...ever!) and the doctor called in a prescription for antibiotics. My nurse at school said I'm probably allergic to the strips. The pills are really big so I asked the pharmacist what I should do. He said to empty the capsules into applesauce or something. I don't like applesauce so hopefully I can find something. Thanks everyone for the comments.

I had the same issue at about 9 days post-op, tomorrow will be 2 weeks post-op! i had a really bad allergic reaction to the steri-strips and like you, I did hydrocortisone which did not help, so I changed to neosporin and that made a huge difference! You may want to try that if you haven't started the antibiotic yet!

I had an allergic reaction to the Dermabond too. It wasn't horrible, but it was itchy and unpleasant. As near as I can tell, for me, it seems to be an adhesive allergy. The hydrocortisone was a good first step, but it's good you talked to your doc. I find I'm only sensitive to adhesives on more sensitive skin. I can wear a bandaid on my finger with no problem, but when I get a fill, I remember to take the bandaid off my belly after an hour or two, or the skin starts to get irritated. Just something to keep an eye out for going forward.

I hope you get some relief soon!

I had the same issue at about 9 days post-op, tomorrow will be 2 weeks post-op! i had a really bad allergic reaction to the steri-strips and like you, I did hydrocortisone which did not help, so I changed to neosporin and that made a huge difference! You may want to try that if you haven't started the antibiotic yet!

I started the antibiotic yesterday and I think the rash is worse!!! Thank you so much for your advice. I'm going to use neosporin from now on because the cortisone cream is just making it dry and painful.

Hi! How's the neosporin working for you? I attached a photo of my before and after about 5 days of alternating neosporin and hydrocortisone!

Hey everyone! I am 4 days post op and my nurses explained the strips could be removed after a week so the air can assist the stitches and incisions too heal. I would make sure you call your dr to see if you are able to remove them... It could be the fact they are still on. Causing the problem. Hope you feel better soon!

Many people are allergic to the strips or glue. I was very itchy until they were all off.

Hi! How's the neosporin working for you? I attached a photo of my before and after about 5 days of alternating neosporin and hydrocortisone!

Your pictures look VERY familiar! I think today my rash looks a tiny bit better. From what I read on the internet, it can take several weeks for the rash to clear up. I really can't wait until that happens!