steri-strip rash

I'm using Benadryl cream on my tape rash areas. I have stitches and there were steri-strips too under bandaids. My Dr told me to remove all the sticky stuff in the shower. The bandaids the first shower and to leave the steri-strips as long as I could but they could come off and not do damage. day 5 the steri-strips were off and i had itchy rash around all but one of my incisions. The weird thing was I had a stripe of rash under one breast too. I called the Dr and found out that the draping they use has a tape strip to hold the draping in place and it is stuck to the chest under the breasts. She told me to use Benadryl cream on the rash. It has helped with the itchiness but the rash is still there- Starting to go away a bit.
I did tell everyone that I have a sensitivity to surgical tape that I blister and rash. My Dr tried to use the least amt possible but I still had the reaction. Oh well...it will get better and if that is the worst that happens I'll be very thankful!

I have the same rash & Dr said I needed to get the steri strips off, as it was already 7 days after release from hospital. (Rash began as soon as large tape was off)
I've been wary of using any lotions - have been wiping area with alcohol & taking benadryl, but I will definitely try my 'Aveeno' like creme I have in the bathroom drawer! Thanks!

Jodie,

Yup get the sticky stuff off as soon as possible since your Dr said you could. It took a couple weeks for the rash to go away completely but the benedryl cream helped A LOT with the itching. I'm 8 weeks out now and doing great! This was the best thing that I have done and I'm so thankful to be on this side of the healing process.

Take it easy and follow your Dr.'s orders. You only have one chance to heal properly!

Taking it easy is the hardest part. Reading that overdoing can increase scar tissue made me sit back down. I needed that reminder.
Grateful for thhis site!
P.s. The cream is already better than taking benadryl & I'm not sleepy.