i think i messed up!!

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glennie19
glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema


So after one demostration from my CLT, I tried kinesio taping on my own.  I was going to get another lesson from her today, but she had family emergency and my app't was cancelled.  Anyway, I had taken the tape off on Tues and suddenly tonight (Thurs) I saw this rash appear.  At first I thought it was heat rash. I live in Florida, and I was wearing swell spot under my silicon pros all day. But then the rash became more pronounced and I realized it was exactly where the tape had been.  I guess I pulled too hard taking it off???  

From what I read over on StepUpSpeakOut,, the layers of skin have separated and it's like a burn. Holy crap! I can't believe I did this to myself. It's right across my MX scar.  I guess I won't be taping again any time soon.

 

Has this happened to anyone else?  What did you do for it? Wondering if I shouldn't wear my silicon pros and swell spots in the heat for a few days??  UGH!!  As if the LE wasn't enough,,,,

Comments

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    glennie - my le PT wanted to try kinesio tape on me - thought it would really help me. She put a tiny piece on my non affected arm and had me keep it on. I had a rash when I went back to see her - I was allergic to the tape.  The adhesive may have stayed on your skin because the tape is so sticky and you may be allergic and did not injure the skin. I would take some antihistamine and use either Benadryl cream, or some topical corticosteroid cream in the short term. Can you see one of your docs and have them take a look?

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited June 2014

    I tolerated the tape fine before, so I didn't really think it was an allergy,, but maybe it's a late blooming allergy??!!

     

    I am really sensitive to most tapes. I always use paper tape and only a certain brand of Band-aids cuz I'll have skin problems if I don't.  I'll put on some cream and see how it goes.  Tomorrow I am hanging out in the waiting room as a male friend is having a double MX and I want to be a support for his wife, so I won't get a chance to see a doctor. If this is still hanging around next week, I will. 

    Thanks!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2014

    glennie sorry you did this to yourself if you yanked too hard.. Yep, Ive done it too but theres a chance you may have a reaction to the tape.

    Is it itchy at all or was it itchy before taking it off? If its a reaction, you might need to get some antibiotic and antihistamine cream. I also had a reaction and My LEist tried another colour and I was OK with that until I pulled it off then got another rash.

    Id try and let it settle before wearing anything, but your circumstances may not be practical for that. If thats the case, try and improvise with some light and soft that breathes.

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited June 2014

    it wasn't itchy at all. Not while wearing the tape or afterwards.  What's so weird is that I took the tape off on Tues and this didn't appeAr until Thurs night.  Such a long delay !  

    Wondering if pure aloe gel would be good.  It kind of looks like a mild sunburn to me. 

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2014

    Glennie, take a break from the waiting room and go see your doctor. What you're risking here is an infection--cellulitis. You may need to start on an antibiotic, and if so the quicker you get it the less chance of complications (and an ER visit over the weekend--ugh!

    You can develop an allergy even when you didn't have one before, so it still might be an allergic reaction rather than a burn-like problem, but either way your skin has been compromised and that makes infection possible.

    Huge hugs, and please keep us posted,
    Binney

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited June 2014

    Kinesio is so wonderful for me that when I get it on my back it drains all and I don't have to wear a compression tank. for a few days. Great for trips especially on hot travels. After about 3 days it starts to peel and I get family to cut if. 

    One day I had about 6 inches left on and I tried everything to get it off. Soaked in tub....... then soaked tape in olive oil for at least a half hour and I just couldn't work it off no matter how slow I peeled it off. My MLD girl sprayed a adhesive before applying tape and I think that is what did me in. I was left with a tape burn and a swell exactly the same pattern as the tape. I was horrified that something so good could turn out to be something so bad. I had fam dress it with antibiotic creme for about a week and it heeled nice but boy did it look angry. 

    When I get taped I ask for no adhesive spray. Although it sticks the tape on great and you get mileage on your wearability it was not worth the headache. I suppose you could just keep cutting it off once it gets loose and hangy but mine was bright pink and showed thru cloths so I wanted it off. Which reminds me, next time I will get beige and it should not show thru my cloths.

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited June 2014


    Oh ugh,, here it is, late on Friday afternoon, too late to get to the MD. It looks the same as yesterday, no change. I will keep a close eye on it over the weekend and hope for no ER visit. I'm just wearing a tee shirt at the moment, no compression or bandage and will keep it clean, covered but cool.  The pros/swell spots make me sweat so I'll hold off on that for a couple of days and see how it goes. I do have a few tabs of antibiotic left so if it starts looking bad, I'll start on them.

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2014

    Glennie, it sounds like a plan.  You can review the signs to watch for here:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

    How did your friend's surgery go?

    Sending hugs and a whole plate of double-chocolate brownies your way!
    Binney

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited June 2014


    YUM! Brownies,,,,, mmmmmm.

    I put some bacitracin on it,, and I think it looks better. My nurse friend suggested some pure aloe gel, so I may do that tonight before bed. 

     

    I had to leave for work before he came out of the O.R., but I'll be going over tomorrow and seeing him. I gave his wife a lot of input about managing the drains (her big concern right now) but their daughter is also there to help which is great. I told her I'm up until midnight working, so she can call me if she has any questions. Hopefully,, all is well. Thanks for asking!

    glennie

     

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