Allergy to something in bandaids?

[torinsmom]

I am 38 and have never, ever had a problem with bandaids. I was trying to get rid of a skin tag on my stomach and read that if you cover one with a bandaid, it will fall off. So I put a bandaid(Curad brand) on it and then the next morning switched to a new bandaid(Nexcare brand). Everything looked fine then. That afternoon, I started feeling stinging pain in the bandage area. I thought maybe that was the process of the skin tag falling off, and left it until evening. Then I couldn't stand the stinging anymore and took the bandaid off. It hurt a lot to take it off and there were raw spots where the edges of the bandaid had been! I mean, like the skin was just gone, as if I shaved it off with a razor blade. What could cause this? It started on Wednesday and I have been trying to get it well since then, using antibiotic ointment and gauze type bandages. Even so, I think it is beginning to get infected.

So, what could I be allergic too in the Nexcare bandaids? I wear latex gloves at school sometimes and have had no problems and as I said, this is the first time I have had a problem with a bandaid.

Any ideas?

Marsha

 

[twinklebug]

Allergies can develop from repeated exposure. Perhaps you're becoming allergic to Latex?

 

[wowsmom]

My dermatologist told me that bandages these days don't have latex in them any more.

That said, I have problems with the adhesives in bandages. I had to use bandages recently after having two moles removed and the NextCare brand bothered my skin more than the bandages from the derm and the generic/store brand ones I'd been using. I'm so sensitive that even paper tape bothers my skin.

 

[tazdev3225]

I have a problem with certain band aids causing a rash and serious itching. I actually refuse to get them after a blood test because the reactions in whatever brand they use is so bad. I try and use paper tape when I can.

 

[wdwmom2]

My dermatologist told me that bandages these days don't have latex in them any more.

Working in a pediatric office, we order both regular Bandaid brand and latex free bandaids. Same goes for our gloves. We are careful not to use the regular bandaids or gloves with our patients who have latex allergies.

 

[java]

Nexcare are the ones that all of us in our family are allergic to. I don't know why - I think they are less pourous? If that makes sense. And the lack of air leads to a rash.

I blame the bandaid.

 

[torinsmom]

My dermatologist told me that bandages these days don't have latex in them any more.

That said, I have problems with the adhesives in bandages. I had to use bandages recently after having two moles removed and the NextCare brand bothered my skin more than the bandages from the derm and the generic/store brand ones I'd been using. I'm so sensitive that even paper tape bothers my skin.

Yes, I'm thinking it's something in the Nexcare brand. I actually put two Curad ones over the raw spots caused by the Nexcare ones and didn't get any more irritation. Now, I have bought these huge gauze bandages to cover the whole area.

Marsha

 

[wowsmom]

Working in a pediatric office, we order both regular Bandaid brand and latex free bandaids. Same goes for our gloves. We are careful not to use the regular bandaids or gloves with our patients who have latex allergies.

Yeah, I dunno...it seemed a bit weird to me, because I know some bandages are actually labeled "latex free" on the box, but others aren't. I wonder if they do still use latex in some (like the Bandaids you order) or if they've stopped since so many people seem to be allergic to latex?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yep, the NexCare adhesive, or whatever... turns my skin red too.
And, I liked the NexCare 'comfort' bandages. They stay on, thru thick and thin... But...

PS: I don't think the band-aid method works well... didn't seem to be working for me... I recently went to the Dermatologist.

The dermatologist put a 'sheer' bandaid on mine where the skin tags were removed. I really like it. I am going to go to look for a sheer, Band-aid, brand bandage to see if I can find these.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yeah, I dunno...it seemed a bit weird to me, because I know some bandages are actually labeled "latex free" on the box, but others aren't. I wonder if they do still use latex in some (like the Bandaids you order) or if they've stopped since so many people seem to be allergic to latex?

I have seen bandages that say Latex Free... but then in fine print, it says something like 'Latex has been used in the packaging....'

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[disbridemimi]

I m allergic to the adhesive in some brands...... could be that

 

[tzolkin]

The dermatologist put a 'sheer' bandaid on mine where the skin tags were removed. I really like it. I am going to go to look for a sheer, Band-aid, brand bandage to see if I can find these.

I just bought some of these (I think at the Dollar Tree). I picked them up for our Disney trip. They're labeled "waterproof bandages". I just used one on my son's foot and the sticky part is a very thin clear film.


OP: I thought my DD was allergic to bandages when she was little she had some bites that she was scratching, so we covered them. When we removed the bandages, all the skin underneath was gone like it was an open wound. I don't know what brand they were. The dr. said she must be allergic (she had other issues with sensitive skin as well). Several times (despite being told not to) she was given a bandage at school. Fortunately she has never had another reaction. Either she's less sensitive, or they use a different brand.

 

[SAHDad]

It could be something other than the adhesive - I have some problems with aloe, so I have to watch bandages, kleenex, etc, just in case.

 

[Robmom]

I had the same problem a couple of years ago, and I think it was the same brands. I had a mole removed and put on a bandaid each day for 5 days with no problem, and then I put on a different brand on the last day because I ran out of the other. Well, I went to the dr to check my scar, and he said that I had an allergic reaction from the bandaid. He gave me some ointment, and it was better. I threw out the rest of those bandaids.

 

[asta]

I wouldn't be quick to blame this on latex or the type of bandaids. I started reacting to the adhesive used in all bandages about 15 years ago. I had no problem until then so I don't know if they changed the adhesive or if I developed an alergy. Everyone including my doctor immediately claimed that it must be the latex but I can assure you that this is not it. The worst reactions that I have had actually came from using a steri-strip (cloth backed adhesive) after surgery. I also reacted to an adhesive that was used to attach monitors during surgery. I had a strange and painful circular rash in spots on my back that had me stumped until I remembered that they had attached monitors for surgery. And by the way, I have no problem wearing latex gloves.

If you can't tell, this subject gets me really agitated because everyone blames this on the latex. The rash from the adhesive is very painful and I made it my business to find out the cause. If I have to cover a wound I now use a fabric wrap to hold a sterile pad in place.

 

[torinsmom]

OP here and actually I said I don't think it is latex. I use all kinds of things that contain latex and have never had a problem, even since this problem with the bandaid. I have also used other bandaids and gauze with adhesive on the edges and have had no further reaction. I think it is the adhesive in the Nexcare bandaids. I could confirm it by using one again, but that was some painful stuff! It was like my skin came off with the bandaid and then it was raw like a 3rd degree burn.

Marsha

 

[PlainJane]

I've had that happen from a band-aid before; I don't know which brand (even tough nexcare sounds right). When I took of the band-aid the area where the adhesive had been was all scabbed over. It healed within a few days with neosporin. I've never had this problem with band-aid brand.

 

[imabrat]

Count me in as another who is allergic to certain adhesives. Medical dressings, paper masking tape, plastic medical tape (the one that is clear and has a grid like texture), all of those have adhesives I'm allergic to. Whenever I go into surgery, I have to ask that they use some different tape to shut my eyelids, or else I'll wake up with these giant red sploches that look like the black stuff football players wear.

 

[honugirl]

Count me in as an adhesive allergy, but not all adhesives. It's pretty strange. One time I'll react to tegaderm, the next time I won't. It's bizarre. I can't explain it.