Two days ago I started with a little rash on my belly shaped like a square like the dressing they used on me post op. Yesterday it started spreading (I had 6 of those dressings on my belly) and today itching like crazy. I was told I could take liquid benadryl and use anti-itch cream this morning, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. Anyone else deal with this? If so how long before it went away??

Me! I am allergic to latex and even if the hospital uses latex free bandages there is a small amount of latex in the glue. I used hydrocortisone cream. It took a while ( maybe a week or so) but it eventually went away.

I did. I had NASTY rashes where and even underneath the tape was. I even thought I was going to scar in a couple places, but it does look like they've faded. Just keep taking your Benadryl and wait it out. I think it took a good couple weeks for mine to heal up.

Thanks for the quick replies! Did it spread to your incisions/staples? I guess that's reallly what I'm worried about. Thank goodness I get staples out Wednesday morning!!

I didn't have staples and the steri strips fell off before I got a rash. I only had them on my arm where they tried to get an IV started and on my neck and face because I ended up getting a PICC line instead. If it's a reaction to the tape it shouldn't spread. It will just be where the tape was.

Its spread to where the inside of the bandages were too, not just where the tape was on the outside

I was sleeved on 12/17 and also had reactions to the tape. I actually just dealt with it even though my whole belly is red and itchy. I switched the dressings to hypoallergenic tape and it's made a world of a difference!!!! good luck.

I had stitches, staples and tape. When I would change the dressing and remove the old tape, it felt like I was taking a layer of skin off too! It got very red and irritated. I only covered it because I was afraid the staples would catch on my clothing or sheets in bed. I begged my doctor to remove the staples after 10 days and the tape irritation areas went away after a few days.