Hi all. Ok, so I'm back home now, got back yesterday afternoon. Slept almost the entire day today, I'm sooooooo worn out. Will be leaving the house here in a few to make sure I don't get back in bed... it's a rare-RAINY day here in Vegas.

Ok, so I need a little advice. Did anyone have problems with being allergic to the tapes used over the incisions or the drain? My incision tapes are fine, however, the tape that was holding the drain onto my skin, once off, has becoming very inflamed, gross looking, almost like a blister... Like very severe diaper rash? It itches incessantly, hurts a bit. Chopped up some regular Benadryl last night and that seemed to help a bit. Going to get some liquid today. This rash is ALL around my drain site, and this makes me nervous, cause I tried putting some hydrocortisone on the rash, but I don't want it getting near or into the drain incision, since it's open and still healing. It helped A LITTLE, but not enough. Do you think maybe diaper rash cream would help? Or something else? This problem is making keeping my drain incision covered very difficult, as I still need tape for that.

Anyone with thoughts, I'm all ears. Help please! :sad0:

I know what you mean. My sites were irritated and red with the tape, worse on the last to heal drain site. I took my shower, put alcohol on them then covered with dermatape that was especially for sensitive skin. I was told not to put anything else on them and especially caution putting any creams/antibiotic on the sites. Air dry if possible, I used the hair dryer, and then recover them. I have really sensitive skin and was able to finally heal. Last cover I used was a small spot bandaid and the tape left a little ring for awhile. Please let your doctor know if it looks infected. Good luck.

Linda

I am very sensitive to tape as well and had this problem, my skin actually had come off and left big sores. . but the best thing to tell you is leave it alone. . . don't keep putting stuff all over it, that in itself could cause an infection by attracting dust and such. . just keep it clean and dry. . . do have it open to air every now and then, but don't mess with it. . . if it continues to get redder and more irritable, then call the doctor and see what to do. . . sorry this may not help you but it sure did me, but it's worth a try. . .

I'm actually allergic to the adhesive in most tapes and band-aids. The only type I can use is the hypoallergenic paper tape.

If you can find some Bactine antiseptic at the drug store, try applying that around the area. I used Bactine and Dermoplast spray on my tummy because of all the tape, glue, and gauze they had to use my incisions/drains.

I sprayed the Dermoplast on a non-stick gauze pad and wiped it around the incision area. It's very soothing, and helps control the itch. With the Bactine, I would drown a q-tip in the liquid then rub it around the incisions where it was red and irritated. It has some analgesic effect and helped keep the area clean and soothed the itchiness as well.

Thanks for the ideas! My incision at the drain seems to be healing nicely... I haven't had any discharge from it at all today, barely any yesterday. Should this worry me or no? About the area around it, took a shower, washed it with soap and warm water, and haven't put anything over it except a shirt. I'm going to get some kind of bandage on there here in a few, but honestly, it's so itchy and bubbly looking, it's gross and painful. This is the most painful part of this whole thing thus far, minus the feeling that I'm starving. I'll let you all know if it clears up quickly. I did buy some Liquid Benadryl and took that, makes me itch a bit less...

Hi,

Yep, the reaction happened to me. I was told to keep the areas clean with Bactine or similar 2-3X a day and to leave the areas to dry -- don't cover them with anything. Bandages, etc only aggravate. Bacteria thrive in warm wet places.

I did all this and the infected areas dried up and disappeared in 3-4 days.

All the best!

Dry gauze held in place with paper tape is all I did to cover my drain incision. I'm also sensitive to the adhesives so only use Hypoallergenic paper tape.

Ditto on the paper tape - it's amazing. I got whelps on my skin that itched like crazy from the regular tape. But I now have an open incision from a hematoma that I have to keep packed and covered with gauze. I use the paper tape to keep the gauze on. It comes off easily and is not irritating. Plus you can wet it to make it come off even better.

I gotta tell ya, that paper tape has given me problems too. :biggrin2: If I'm at home, I'm keeping a gauze over the wound and rash, letting my big ole booby hold it in place (LOL). If I go out, I strap it down with that paper tape and then take it off when I return home. This blows, but I'll get through it. Down 13 lbs as of today. Crazy, scary, amazing. :smile: