Red rashy skin from surgical tape?

[OGirlieMama]

My girls had their sleep study last night (we get the results in about 10 days but from what the tech said, there was a good amount of hypopnea and some apnea and unless he's nuts, it sounds like we're headed to tonsil/adenoidectomy). There was a lot of tape involved, especially on their faces, and it all came off around 5am. Both of them have had some skin redness where the tape was, but Lilly's is really really pronounced. We were out in the yard and I had to explain to our neighbors when they came by that we didn't hit her in the face with a chain, because that's what it looks like. There's a spot on her neck where I think there are a few broken capillaries, and that was the part that was hardest to remove (she flipped out when it was taken off, and her sister didn't - I wonder if Lilly's tech put the tape on more securely??)

Anyway, is there anything I can do to help the redness go down? Is this typical or do you think it's allergic? Neither of them have problems with latex bandaids (all those cute character ones are latex, yes?), and this was paper tape.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by OGirlieMama

Anyway, is there anything I can do to help the redness go down? Is this typical or do you think it's allergic? Neither of them have problems with latex bandaids (all those cute character ones are latex, yes?), and this was paper tape.

I react to some adhesives and not others. Same with my DS. Wash the area well to remove any reside. You can try some calendula cream, Eucerin calming cream, or perhaps even some aveeno bath (a cloth soaked in it, then applied to the face).

[Momma Aimee]

I, me, personally am allergic to medical tape -- red / raw / rash after SHORT time ... but have no allergy to latex in any other form.

soothing lotion, maybe a does of benadrill at bed time if the girls can have it and if the itching / rash is bothersome.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

All medical tape and even band aids do me that way. My mom is the same way. It sucks because when I get a cut if it isnt on a finger or a toe I cant really bandage it. I dont have a latex allergy either but tape messes me up and it takes weeks for the redness to fade.

[OGirlieMama]

Thanks for all the replies - it makes sense that they could be sensitive to the adhesive. Do you think it would be bad or might help to use some 1% cortisone on the really bad spots on their faces? It's really bright and obvious - as if I took my pale little girls out in the sun and let them put on their own sunscreen.

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by OGirlieMama

Thanks for all the replies - it makes sense that they could be sensitive to the adhesive. Do you think it would be bad or might help to use some 1% cortisone on the really bad spots on their faces? It's really bright and obvious - as if I took my pale little girls out in the sun and let them put on their own sunscreen.

You can use cortisone, but I don't like to use it, as it has side effects. Cortisone also suppresses the adrenals, so I avoid it like the plague. I think there are plenty of other good options here to try.

[OGirlieMama]

Originally Posted by KimPM

You can use cortisone, but I don't like to use it, as it has side effects. Cortisone also suppresses the adrenals, so I avoid it like the plague. I think there are plenty of other good options here to try.

Yeah, I'm not crazy about it either. I just have it in the house and not any of the other stuff listed, and don't really have the chance to go out tomorrow (most places aren't open, I assume). I'll see how it is in the morning and go from there, I guess. Maybe it'll miraculously disappear with a good night's sleep.

[Lindsay1234]

dd2 is INSANELY allergic to this one thick, waterproof tape at the hospital. She had millions of these funny pimples all over her face and neck. Even though she had the red allergy bracelet on for the last surgery, some nurse put it on her and she got those pimples (worse than hives) again! I guess its the adhesive in that particular tape, I carry a piece with me in my wallet now.

I didnt do anything to them. I just kept them clean and dry and then let them dry out on their own! Seemed to go away in about 5 days. I think cortisone if its itchy and benadryl of its really bad!

Good luck!

ETA, it was hard to remove the tape in some areas of dds face and some capillaries were broken too, those healed quickly!

[OGirlieMama]

Just figured I'd update. Katie looks a lot better today (she wasn't as bad) and Lilly's still rashy but it's lighter than last night. Luckily, preschool class photos were done a week ago, so I'll just let it run its course, as they're not complaining about it. Thanks again for all the advice and letting me know this wasn't some unheard-of reaction!