Adhesive Sensitivity

J-Bug

Throughout chemo I have developed a sensitivity to adhesive. I am finding that paper tape is not working either and that seems to be the only secondary option at the doctors' offices that I go to. Who else has this problem, and what are my options?

The last time I had a bandaid on, it left two red welts for about two weeks. I used paper tape last week and it pulled so hard at my skin, I had to get in the shower to loosen it for removal. Then it too, left red welts for several days. I am getting a bmx this month and want to be ready for this problem. 

Outfield

J-Bug, there are lots of different kinds of adhesives, even among bandaids.  I have developed sensitivies to many adhesives, including most ACE bandages, in the past 5 years or so.  Big pain in the butt, and caused me some rashes during treatment.  I got a big but mild rash from the elastic wrap-around bandage afer my bilateral mastectomy, and a horrible rash from a bandage when my port was placed.  I can't wear flexible fabric bandaids or Tegaderm, and even get a little rash with paper tape.  But there are a ton of different adhesives, even among bandaids.  Some suggestions:  

1) If you can, put a barrier between your skin and the stuff.  I sacrificed my partner's old undershirts to make a barrier between the elastic bandage and my chest

2) Get a hold of some samples of tapes your surgeon could use, then try them out on your legs ahead of time.  I found out that way that I do fine with a 3M product called Trans-pore. 

As soon as I'd figured out one that worked for me, it was smooth sailing.  Good luck to you for your surgery. 

coraleliz

I have had adhesive sensitivities off & on all my life. I do particularily bad when I have to change the bandage everyday or more often. Suprisingly, following my BMX, I didn't have any issues. I left the dressing put on by my BS during surgery on until I saw her 6 days later. I was told I could change it if it became wet. I made sure it didn't. I did put bandaids over my drain sites after that for a couple of days. I didn't have reconstruction so my healing /recovery took less time. Wishing you an uneventful & speedy recovery. I try not to give advice but change the bandage as little as possible. I've found less is better.

SpecialK

j-bug - there was a previous thread titled "adhesive tape..." but the upshot is types of tape these ladies found to work included hypafix, medipore, mepitac and tenderfix.  I have adhesive allergies as well and have found that just the padded bandages held on with a sports bra work best for me - no tape.

J-Bug

Thank you ladies. I will check out the other thread as well. I looked for one before posting and did not find it.

J-Bug

Anyone who is looking for the thread that SpecialK is talking about, it is: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/767669?page=1

It has a lot of very good information, just a lot of chatter to read through. Thank you again SpecialK! 

Outfield: I am going to ask my surgeon this afternoon about this issue and see if he will let me try samples before surgery. Thanks for that tip. I also ordered samples from places mentioned in the link above. 

DJL

Same here. Skin reactions have been my biggest problem throughout the surgery procedures. I ended up like someone else suggested - asking them not to use anything. For the most part, they have placed gauze and I have worn the surgical bra or a sports bra to keep everything in place. We have enough going on that we don;t need extra rashes and welps!!!

Good luck.

GramE

I am bumping up a thread on adhesives.   Please check it out.   

GramE

PS.    the Title is Adhesive TAPE.....    I did not see the link posted above my message.    Instead of testing on your leg, put a small piece on your tummy or inside of your upper arm.   

J-Bug

So now I am two weeks post-bmx. I tested Medipore tape on the inside of my arm for 24 hours. I found only a very slight redness, so that is what we used at the hospital. My doctor said that if that test had not turned out well, she wanted me to see the wound care physician at the hospital before surgery so that we would have a plan in place.

The nurses kept up with remembering the allergy. The only time that it was not noted was when a lady came in to do a blood draw from the lab. I came out of my medicated fog long enough to realize and pulled the tape off a few minutes later when I was confidant that my arm would not bleed anymore.

I am still using Medipore for the wounds around my drains. The doctor's office provided me with plenty. I did not have to go out and find any. The slight redness that I get from this tape is tolerable for now. I suspect if I had a lot more treatment, my reaction to this tape might get worse, but hopefully, I am not in for too much more of this stuff.