Red marks from sticky stuff on dressing

Posted , 10 users are following.

Hi all, a new question. 

I removed my dressing a few days ago, the wound is absolutely amazing, hardly visible , but even now I still have red marks all the way round where the sticky stuff off the dressing seemed to irritate my skin. I have put moisturiser on, but it's still a bit red and sometimes itchy. I tried antihistamine but I think that's what sent me to sleep! Any ideas? 

P.s 16 days post op I am walking round the house with no sticks. I ventured up to the supermarket on Thursday with 2 sticks (1.2miles) and although I was tired I felt pretty steady - although very slow. I am still wary of doing much more yet. I feel safe at home - the big wide world is suddenly full of obstacles !!!!

love Malloo. 

Hope all you recovering hippies are having a good weekend . X

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Could it be a reaction to latex in the dressing?  Many people have that sensitivity. Try an ointment that contains cortisone.
  • Posted

    Hello Malloo, what a trooper, your  coming along in leaps and bounds. I wouldn't worry too much about the itchy rash, sounds like your skin has been sweating under the dressing, it's quite normal and should settle down once the air starts getting to it.  I'm at 3.5 weeks now and still can't walk around with no sticks, end up waddling like a duck, the Un operated leg is taking quite a bashing, and has started aching, so I'm going to give that a rest today.  Keep smiling chick, your a soldier. Enjoy your weekend. Love Julia. Xx
  • Posted

    Probably an allergy, I noticed from previous surgeries I would get small blisters and redness, I'm allergic to surgical tape, I let them know I have an allergy and they use paper tape on me now...
  • Posted

    Oh for goodness sake, I wrote a reply to you all and it disappeared so I've had to start again now. 

    Thankyou for the ideas - yes I certainly think sweat had a lot to do with it !!!!

    just been trimming an ivy in the garden that thinks it is a triffid and can invade my whole space!!!! Just a few snips with the secauteurs, a whole trugfull of compostable stuff and a good reason to sit down and check In With you guys. Maybe even time for a cup of tea. 

    Enjoy your weekend . I will try some different cream ( on my red skin - not on the ivy ) 

    love Malloo. Xxx

  • Posted

    Hi Malloo,

    This might be a daft response (or not), however during surgery they use iodine (i think) to sterilise the skin. Its either brown or a red/pink colour.  Mine was the latter. When I took the dressing off this had stained my skin.  After a couple of showers it came off.... 

    At first I had thought I had a reaction to the dressing as well.....

    David

  • Posted

    Wow! You are doing beautifully😂

    Re red marks - could it be an allergy to latex? This is fairly common in adhesives. I am allergic to it and they use alternatives when I mention it. By the way, you can buy no-latex first aid items fairly easily once you know to look for them.

    There are antihistamine topical cremes but you should mention this to your physician.

  • Posted

    Wow! You are doing beautifully😂

    Re red marks - could it be an allergy to latex? This is fairly common in adhesives. I am allergic to it and they use alternatives when I mention it. By the way, you can buy no-latex first aid items fairly easily once you know to look for them.

    There are antihistamine topical cremes but you should mention this to your physician.

  • Posted

    Sounds like you are doing wonderful Malloo, walking all that distance only being 16 days post op! I am sure the sticky is from the bandage and will wear off. I know my incision and all around it was itching for a while. I just figured it was because it was healing, and it finally went away. Could have been because of the bandage because I haven't had it since they removed the bandage. When the nurse took my staples out she just put a bunch of small steri-strips all down my incision. Now they are coming off and I keep picking up little pieces of bandage that is falling off of me...hahaha...I would keep up with the moisturizer. Did they take out your stitches or staples? You are so lucky walking around the house with no sticks. I am still using the crutches. I tried walking with a cane about a week ago and it caused me to hurt. Also I still have a bad hip on the left that has to be replaced, so just putting weight on the right (wasn't allowed to be full weight bearing) and then having a bad hip on the left I was constantly changing sides with the cane and couldn't tell which side I needed it on. I finally came to the conclusion that I needed support for both sides, hence the crutches. I try to walk on my own some just small areas. I am still at 3.5 weeks post op....So you sound like you are doing great. Hope you have a great weekend too...
  • Posted

    Hi Maloo

    I had horrific reaction to white tape dressings used in hospital.

    My skin was red broken blistered and itched like mad.

    Remove carefully any offending dressings. If wound is closed and dry leave dressings off.

    The itch may be controlled with antihistamine but once dressings are off the problem will resolve.

    If you have wound that still needs covering i suggest you get the district nurse or your treatment room to dress with s suitable one.

    My skin healed pretty quickly from the blisters one left alone so im sure will yours. Get well soon xx

  • Posted

    Hello malloo

    You are doing so well, I get tired walking downstairs!

    Just wanted to say Well Done, you are amazing

    luv Kathe x

  • Posted

    The tape adhesive is often irritating to skin.Just work on it a little at a time.There is literally something called adhesive tape remover that they have at the hospital that has an oily base to it so you might continue to use baby oil on it but if you do so ,do so gently.
  • Posted

    Hiya

    Over the counter hydrocortisone cream will help that - a lot of people react go the sticky xxxx

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