Allergic reaction to surgical tape. How long can it last?

Question

I am 4 days post breast augmentation. My doctor forgot I have extreme allergy to surgical tape and covered my breasts and sutures with it. Needless to say I am a mess. I removed all the tape 2 days post. Red, swollen welts have grown into insision areas. How long can this last? And how upset should I REALLY be?

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question. You should notify your breast surgeon about this situation, There might be some help with his advice. This may go on for several weeks, even a month. Best, Dr. ALDO.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your problem.  Allergic reactions can take days to several weeks to resolve.  There are options to decrease the symptoms like antihistamines, topical or oral steroids, etc.  Your plastic surgeon will be able to advise you about the best course of action.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Sorry to hear about your reaction to the surgical tape. You may want to consider speaking with your surgeon about a topical steroid to help with the inflammation. It can take weeks for the symptoms to resolve. That being said, in some cases the reaction can be gone in days. Best,

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

An allergic reaction to tape is a contact dermatitis just like poison ivy. It may take several weeks to totally result but with topical or systemic steroids improvement should begin almost immediately.

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Allergic reactions from adhesives can be extremely uncomfortable. You should contact your plastic surgeon for a follow up visit to have the surgical tape removed and begin a prescriptive steroid cream. This should start to calm down within a week.

Allergic reaction to surgical tape. How long can it last?

Answers (6)

Answer: Timetable of allergic reaction to tape after breast augmentation.

Answer: Timetable of allergic reaction to tape after breast augmentation.

Answer: Allergic Reaction

Answer: Allergic Reaction

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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Allergic reaction to surgical tape. How long can it last?

Answers (6)

Answer: Timetable of allergic reaction to tape after breast augmentation.

Answer: Timetable of allergic reaction to tape after breast augmentation.

Answer: Allergic Reaction

Answer: Allergic Reaction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.