BriarRose Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 So I'm two and a half weeks post op and was given some tape at my last appointment to put over my stitches. I have to change it every four days for the next four weeks. But tonight when I changed it I noticed my skin was starting to get aggravated and sore. Would it be a huge issue if I didn't use it for the next 12 hours?? Of course tomorrow morning I will call my Drs rooms and seek advice but I am concerned about infection so if it's best to put the tape on tonight and deal with the aggravated skin until tomorrow morning then I will. Can anyone advise me on this? Anyone been in a similar situation?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herveybaymummy Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Uhm I had no scar tape at all after two weeks. You should be fine without it and just use some scar gel like Strataderm instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannedbae Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 hey a, I had mine on for a little while and just replaced it. I was advised to keep it on for a little while, can't remember how long, but it was not to irritate the incision area (I was advised that the incision area usually seals in about 2 days? I am sure this is what I recall at my 1 week check up). In my situation it has been beneficial to helping my incision heal and allow the area not to be irritated as my skin gets irritated quite easily and at risk of keloid scarring. When my bf uncovered it for the first time, he wiped it with beta dine and then i left it overnight to breath. I then replaced it with new tape the next day. My skin scars easily, and incisions are still la bit tender, so I'll keep using this method until they don't hurt at all. Hope my experience so far helps a bit. I would say it wouldn't be a bad thing leaving it overnight. take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donatella Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Definitely follow your surgeons instructions, many believe in tape on the scar for weeks at a time make a cleaner, neater scar and I believe this true also. Let it breathe overnight and ask if you can change it weekly. I suggest changing tape (taking off) in the shower as the wet will help peel off without ripping your own skin off. It should be fine overnight until you can talk to your doctors office for advice dani666 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani666 Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Definitely follow your surgeons instructions, many believe in tape on the scar for weeks at a time make a cleaner, neater scar and I believe this true also. Let it breathe overnight and ask if you can change it weekly. I suggest changing tape (taking off) in the shower as the wet will help peel off without ripping your own skin off. It should be fine overnight until you can talk to your doctors office for advice Perfect advice. I am having/have had the same issue with tape. What colour micropore tape are you using? the white or the brown? I find the brown a lot less irritating. But the issue now is that if your skin is irritated, it will be hard to settle while still using the tape. The tape deffo makes for flatter/better scars, but NOT if it is irritating the incision sites to a point of maceration. If the incisions have a good union of the edges, as in, if they have totally come together, then leave it off over night and ask in the morn. If there is any gaping of the incisions then leave the tape on. The shower advice is sound, my skin actually comes away with the tape if i am not SUPER careful. Another trick is to not pull the tape at a 90 degree angle as this will harass the skin more. Try very gently taking the edge of the tape and reversing the tape when removing so you are pulling it (slowly) back along the stuck tape, it pulls less at the skin this way. I have so much bloody experience with this because my body is 80% covered with tattoos and i use this tape in my healing technique so am always struggling with it! (and currently week 4 reduction and trying to manage it now!) donatella 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss D Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 Yeah it is normal for your skin to get a little irritated after changing your dressings weekly. I normally just take off my old dressings, air it out for about 2-3 hours then put a little bit of Aloe Vera to help with the itching (but don't put it on your incision!) Then I wipe if off with rubbing alcohol and re-dress it. I also cut my dressing smaller and kind of place the dressing on a different part of my skin so I'm not constantly irritating the same place of my skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minx Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 I got a very bad reaction from the tape, multiple blisters!!! My surgeon changed one type of tape for another and it was much better. As Don stated, you'll have a much better chance of having a nice neat scar doing what your surgeon suggested and keeping the tape on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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