I'm a week out from sleeving and having some weird symptoms. It started with red welts on my torso where the surgical tape was. Then a couple days later I noticed my torso front was covered in red speckles. They started getting itchy a day or two later. I also noticed some itching in the, er, feminine area. Now last night my cheeks (face) turned bright red from nose to hairline and eyes to a bit down my neck, and are swollen.

I've contacted my doctor at each of these symptoms (of course) and been told so far it's dermatitis. But I'm worried I have a fungal infection -- I need to go in today and get some attention from someone about all this.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this???

I had the same thing happen to me...turns out that I'm allergic to the skin glue they used on my incisions. I'm also allergic to foam tape, which is the tape that more surgeons use. The welts ooze and itch terribly. I was cleared by my surgeon to take benadryl (which is available in liquid and chewable forms OTC) and Atarax. It cleared up quickly once I started the medications. Hope it gets better soon!

Hi, I am an OR nurse and yes that is what you have, a reaction to the tape or glue. You probably transferred in to your eyes and again in the genital area from your hands when wiping. Benedryl will help a lot...good luck and be sure to pointe this out for any future(I hope not) surgeries....

The tape reaction showed up in the first few days, but since the speckled stuff showed up later the PA thinks it's not related to the surgical supplies. ?? I just took some Benedryl and they're calling me back soon.

Thank you guys!!

Wow! I hope it does turn out to be just a reaction to the tape. Being allergic is no fun, but being "sick" is worse, especially this early post-op. Let us know, please?

Thanks so much for your concern! I'm still waiting for that call -- the doc got in at 5am from his Hawaii clinic.

4 out of 5 of my incision sites are infected -- this I do now know. I haven't done anything to them, but somehow they're all inflamed, warm, and red. It's looking like I'll be getting antibiotics today. I thought they were healing great, but this just happened in the last couple days.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit freaked out right now...

Did your surgeon over your incisions with the glue? I had to peel all of mine off about 1 week post op, because all my incisions were red/itchy/inflamed.

I know when my dad had his gallbladder out, he had a severe allergic reaction to the stuff that they sealed off his bile duct with. His incision was weeping pus and was all red and infected. Keep an eye on it no matter what the doctor's say, it could be an allergic reaction on the inside. They let my dad's go for a week before they opened him back up and had to clean all the infection out, and he almost didn't make it after all that. Hope it get's better!!

Did your surgeon over your incisions with the glue? I had to peel all of mine off about 1 week post op, because all my incisions were red/itchy/inflamed.

Yes, they covered each with glue. I can't peel it off because it's stuck on good and tight.

Yes, they covered each with glue. I can't peel it off because it's stuck on good and tight.

If your doc thinks you should remove it, vasolie rubbed on liberaly wll loosen it up and make it easier to peel off.

If your doc thinks you should remove it, vasolie rubbed on liberaly wll loosen it up and make it easier to peel off.

Ah, good to know -- thanks!!

I know when my dad had his gallbladder out, he had a severe allergic reaction to the stuff that they sealed off his bile duct with. His incision was weeping pus and was all red and infected. Keep an eye on it no matter what the doctor's say, it could be an allergic reaction on the inside. They let my dad's go for a week before they opened him back up and had to clean all the infection out, and he almost didn't make it after all that. Hope it get's better!!

T

This is so scary. And good to keep in mind since I need my GB out in a few months. WOW -- I hope your dad is okay now!!

Why on earth don't surgeons TEST these materials on a patient before using them, since the consequences can be so serious???

I may insist on that in the future! I mean, cripes!!

I have like a red speckled rash around my incisions as well. It itches like crazy. I had to peel the glue off a while ago because it was driving me nuts! It still itches a lot. I haven't brought it up to my doc I figured it was just a reaction and in time it will go away.