Is This An Allergic Reaction to Tape? (photo)

It is hard to see exactly from that picture, but irritation from paper tape is superficial and looks like small bumps and redness on the skin. The area in the picture looks mucoid and necrotic. This may be a suture line infection or a result from decreased blood supply to the belly button. I use micropore paper tape on all incision lines after surgery and continue using the paper tape for six weeks. This has been shown to be as effective as scar gels and creams, and also helps with quicker fading of the scar color.

For now, stop taping, wash the area well with warm water and antibiotic soap. Then dry with a blow drier and call your plastic surgeon for an appointment tomorrow. Hope this helps.

Your redness looks like is most likely related to a localized infection and/or delayed wound healing of the belly button.    It is important to follow up with your plastic surgeon for his/her advice.       Cleansing with antibacterial soap and and changing the dressing regularly when will help.   You may need some oral antibiotics.     Sometimes antibiotic ointments used such as Neosporin can become irritating, so you might want to get something different from your surgeon.    Good luck.     

       The picture leads me to believe that an in-person examination will be needed.

 

 

 

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

It appears this is somewhat infected as evidenced by the pus around the belly button. The tape could have played a role as well. Follow up with your PS soon as you may need antibiotics.

I would not think that this is a reaction to tape.  A tape reaction is usually more like a blister.  This appears to be a suture abscess due to an infected suture knot.  Best to see your plastic surgeon to have this cleaned and the suture removed if possible.