If Surgical Tape Burned Me After my Tummy Tuck Will Silicon Sheet Strips for Scar Treatment Burn Me

Question

Im 7 po from tummy tuck. The surgical tape used (I believe paperbut not sure) burned andrashed me. I wanted to order silicone strips for scar healing later on. Do you believe this might burn me?

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Patients commonly complain that they are allergic to tape as a result of blistering from tape after a tummy tuck.  This is uncommonly the cause. While tape adhesive allergies do occur, shear forces are the most common cause of this problem.  The most commonly used dressing tapes such as silk or paper tape are fairly in-elastic or lack stretch.  At the tissues heal postop, shear forces between the fixed tape and the swelling tummy causes a separation of the epidermis from the dermis with fluid accumulation....a blister!  Using a stretchy tape or no tape at all addresses this problem.  You are unlikely to have any reaction to silicone sheeting as silicone is a very stable chemical that is well tolerated. Hope this helps. All the best.

Lisa M. DiFrancesco, MD · Answer

Patients do have allergic reactions to surgical tape. Silicone sheeting can be used post op to help with the scarring however you should check with your surgeon.

John Whitt, MD (retired) · Answer

You could try the silicone strips on a small area to see if you react as you did to the surgical tape (you likely will not). If you do, the silicone also comes in a gel form which should not create problem. Silicone containing products are, in my opinion, best for scar reduction.

If Surgical Tape Burned Me After my Tummy Tuck Will Silicon Sheet Strips for Scar Treatment Burn Me

Answers (3)

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