Blisters

[KT0930]

When I got my staples out of my transplant incision, they put steri-strips on, and as usual, told me to just let them fall off. I had noticed some blisters in the general area in the last day or two. Now all the strips have fallen off, and I counted 15 blisters along where they were. Almost all the blisters have appeared where a steri-strip had been. I'm curious, is this due to senstive skin, the strips being pulled really tight upon application, or an allergy? There was some itching the first day or so, but not everywhere where there was a strip, and it's gone now, anyway. Anyone else have this happen? Should I avoid steri-strips in the future as a result? Thanks everyone!

**Mods, not sure which topic to put this in, feel free to move it to appropriate section**

[Bajanne]

This is exactly where this should be.  It seems to me that sometimes our skin is allergic to certain types of bandages.  When I had in my catheter, I got itching and a bad rash from the Tegaderm (I think that is what it is called) plasticky thing they put on.  I liked it because it covered the skin well,but my skin didn't like it.  when I started using my graft,  they used a paper tape.  However, that made me itch (and like you, not just where it was,but the whole general area).  so they had to use plastic tape.  Recently they tried a fabric (satiny) kind of tape and that works as well.
I notice the nurses have to ask each patient (and each time) "which tape is it that you use?"  It seems we have different reactions to the different tapes.

[lovemypts]

This is so true, we have so many pts. That even after 20 something years, I still ask if they want a certain tape. I will also ask and suggest another kind if I notice redness. We have some pts that are so sensitive that I fought my boss to get special order covers for their cath site. Always ask if redness or itching occurs. It is our job to find out what is right for you. Ask about cleaning solutions too. Some people can't take the betadine on their skin, some can't do the Hiba clease. We are all different in our skin care. Skin is a barrier to infection. So you have that right. Insist on it. Take care!!

[KT0930]

I asked my nurse about it, and he said that yes, some people do have allergic reactions to the steri-strips that manifest as blisters. Mom also said that she gets the same thing and she thinks she remembers it happening to me when I was much younger. So there ya go. Thanks both!

[oswald]

i had a couple of blisters too.  for me it was just sensitive skin.  they went away after about a week.

[boxman55]

For me I am allergic to the betadyne they paint on you before surgery (the orange stuff) makes me itch like hell they had to give me IV anti itch stuff to make it stop. KT it is always something but, just think if we didn't have to go through all these procedures we would never had found out we are allergic to everthing... ...Boxman

[KT0930]

So true, Box! (Thank goodness it only seems to be obscure things like steri-strips that I'm allergic to!)