Adhesive Sensitivity-Not Blaming It On Gluten :)

[powerofpositivethinking]

this topic may need to be moved, but I wasn't exactly sure what category to place it.

 

Recently I've had blood drawn several times, and each time they put on medical tape, I remove it maybe four hours later, and for the next several days my skin is red at the site.  I don't think it's a latex allergy, but I do seem to have problems with adhesive.  Yesterday I had several MRIs and the contrast IV bandage left a red block on my skin and today I'm getting my capsule endoscopy done, so I'm guessing I'm going to have six spots on my abdomen/pelvis from the stickers.  

 

 

I know there isn't gluten in adhesive, but how many of you have problems with adhesives in general?  Can I blame it on my body still being on high alert, and it is just reacting to any chemicals it doesn't think belong there? 

 

EDIT:  I realized after I typed this, I don't get band aids when having blood drawn, but I do have a cotton ball and medical tape put on my arm.  Seems the problems are with the tape for me.

[RMJ]

I'm very sensitive to many, but not all, adhesives. I once had huge oozing blisters from the adhesive tape used to apply a bandage after abdominal surgery (the nurses come quickly when you say something is oozing from under your bandage). I can handle silk tape and sheer bandaids. When I have blood drawn I remove the bandaid as soon as I am out of sight of the lab so I don't get a red mark.

[1desperateladysaved]

I have refused band-aids since paying $205 for general surgery while dealing with a reaction to one.  I have known for years I have trouble with adhesive bandages.  I use cotton gauze and do not adhere  the tape directly to my skin.

[GF Lover]

I have adhesive sensitivity also, not band aids per se but tapes and electrode lead adhesives and IV adhesive.  It's a real pain when you have to tape bandages for 3 weeks and the tape is killing you...lol

 

Since this is not a celiac topic or related topic I will move it to the Gab/Chat section.

 

Colleen

[LauraTX]

Adhesive sensitivity is definitely a real problem and not umcommon.  There are a few things you can do.  If you find out a kind of tape/bandaid that doesn't bother you, buy a ton of it and bring it to appointments and have that noted on your chart.  Also, when you get things like blood draws and they use a bandaid or make one from tape/cotton, have them wrap the tape around your arm with the sticky side out, then another layer over that so its like a little band.  For things like IV's they can use long cotton gauze, wrap it around, and then tape the gauze to itself so it is not stuck to you.  Can also use ace bandages on top of gauze- that is something you can bring yourself to a blood draw to make it easy.  There are also the kinds of bandages they use when you give blood, that are stretchy and only adhere to themselves... lots of alternatives.  But always tell every health professional about your sensitivity.  You may want to see an allergist about it, as well.

[Adalaide]

For anything that isn't a large area, arm, leg, hands, fingers, things like that, I use COBAN. I also make them use it when I get blood drawn, I've never had a place that doesn't have it. It's that latex free, non-stick but sticks to itself wrap they can just wrap around. Pop a cotton ball on there, wrap the COBAN on and problem solved. I keep some at home too. I have a latex allergy (mild) and a sensitivity (severe) to some adhesives. I don't know which ones, and I don't care to play around with it. Also, unless you've donated plasma or have a clotting problem, for blood draws and IVs I've only ever been told I need the bandaid or whatever for 10 minutes. So if you do get something adhesive, get it off ASAP to avoid as much irritation as possible.

[LauraTX]

Ah yes, Addy, Coban is what I was thinking of.  Didn't know the name.     Smart lady!

[powerofpositivethinking]

great!!  thank you for all the suggestions 

[thepeach80]

I have no problem with paper tape for some reason. Doesn't stick as well and if you have an IV you'll need to be more careful but I learned my lesson when I was hospitalized last. I'm supposed to tell the hospital I'm latex allergic but I don't think it's latex at all but I guess it makes them more aware if they see the red and the alerts. I had leads during surgery last year and had red welts for a while afterwards, a week at least. I have a friend who says her daughter uses special pediatric pads and her daughter has severe issues with adhesives and those work well. I need to get the name again.