Need some advice...steri-strips - ThinnerTimes

Squishy · 06-16-2007, 08:01 AM

Good Morning Everyone!

I need a little advice.... I had my staples removed from my incision on Thursday and the put something called "steri-strips" across the incision. The steri-strips are supposed to stay on until the fall off, which should be around 2 to 3 weeks. They said if they make it a week, it should be OK, though.

It felt great to get the staples out. Yesterday, the steri-strips started itching and by last night it became almost unbearable. I've never had poison ivy, but this is what it must feel like.

I am not red around the steri-strips. If I peel up an edge, it is a little red under them, but for as bad as they itch, I was expecting it to be really red.

Does anybody have any experience with this? Is there a way to get this itching to stop? There is no way that I can stand this and I am considering pulling them off. I pulled a few off, cleaned the area with alcohol swabs and put waterproof "tuff-strip" band-aids across where the strips were. They do not seem to be itching like the steri-strips, so maybe this is an alternative I can use. Maybe????

Any ideas?????
I'm desperate!
-Mike-

LQQkn · 06-16-2007, 08:02 AM

sounds like an allergy... I'd pull them off and use bandaids if they don't itch.. can you call the nurse at the doc office and run it by them? Good luck in feeling better Janie

RNY4me · 06-16-2007, 08:12 AM

I agree, sounds like an allergic reaction. As long as you replace the steri-strips with something that accomplishes the same purpose, holding the wound edges together, it should be alright. Making your own steri-strips is fine. Just be sure there is enough tension. Place one side down, pull gently across the incision and secure on the other side. Call the office to report what's going on and what you are doing. There, you are now your own doctor!

Sounds like you are healing well and doing well too. Wonderful news. Keep it up, I'm rooting for ya!

Rachel · 06-16-2007, 09:01 AM

I have had this reaction to steri strips before. It was an allergic reaction. I was also sensitive to band-aide brand adhesives at the same time. If you can find something for sensitive skin in the bandaide section that would prob. be the best.

I hope it feels better soon... it really is miserable I agree!!!

lealphachienne · 06-16-2007, 09:27 AM

Without seeing a picture, can't tell you if it's an reaction or normal sensation that's part of the healing process.

Squishy · 06-16-2007, 09:29 AM

Thank you all!

I took them all off, swabbed the area with alcohol and then used band-aid tough-strips to hold things together.

The itching stopped immediately! Whew!!! It kept me up last night, so I think I'll be able to take a nap today.

The steri-strips didn't itch immediately either, so the band-aids may have the same effect after some time, but at least I new have some other ideas to try. Thanks again everyone.

Thanks everyone!!!
-Mike-

lealphachienne · 06-16-2007, 09:33 AM

Take it easy......don't want to pull at the incision. Band aids provide very little re-enforcement compared to steri strips. My doc put the super strong surgical glue on my incisions after the stitches. Didn't need SS.....I had it done lap, so the incisions were 1-2 inches big. When I had the TT, it was 26 inches of incision, sutures, and lots of wound tape.

LisaBoston · 06-16-2007, 10:03 AM

Mike, I am in the same situation as you. Had about 20 staples removed yesterday and they put on some steri-strips. I normally react to tape and have to be very careful with what I use, but steri-strips don't bother me.

Now saying this, once they remove staples, I always go through this crazy stage of itching. Even woke me up last night. The itching is a healing process. Sounds like you might be reacting to the steri-strips, and you will know soon if the other bandaids do the same.

Steri-strips can often be thought of as temporary stitches. They go on to hold the skin together. Once staples are removed the skin relaxes some, sometimes too much, so they put these on in transition. I let mine fall off as the do. After I shower, sometimes I might loose one, otherwise I keep them on for about a week.

I go in to the hospital in an hour to have more staples removed. They remove every other staple and put on a steri-strip in between. Then on Monday they do the same when the last of the staples will be removed.

Keep an eye on it..redness is not good, itching can be good or bad depends on the situation.

Squishy · 06-16-2007, 12:56 PM

Thanks again!

So far the band-aids are doing pretty well, They are actually tighter than the steri-strips were. The strips were buckled up over the incision, so they really were not holding anything. When I laid down, they tightened up a little but standing up or sitting, they did not put any tension on the incision at all. The band-aids are the kind with the string woven in them, so they don't stretch at all. I think this will be OK, but I am being careful.

The itching that comes with healing, I can stand...this was a completely different level, though. I am so relieved right now. I almost had to become "Squitchy".

Mrs Squishy and I are going to the YMCA to do some walking now (91 degrees outside, so inside sounds a lot better to me.)

Thanks all for your concern.
-Mike-

Ryn · 06-16-2007, 01:15 PM

I am itching like crazy right now from steri strips. I took 2 tylonol pm's last night and another about 6am. SO, I did get some sleep. I had this reaction with the strips with my GB as well, ugh!