Skin rash from compression garment?

Question

I had a tummy tuck and breast reduction on 11/14. have been using the surgical binder from my tummy tuck and surgical bra all the time except when bathing. I am Day 6 post op and doing great except now developing skin rashes. I switched to a sports bra but for the abdominal binder are there more comfortable alternatives I can to switch to? My skin is sensitive, itchy, and I'm getting itchy rashes that are raised bumps (not near incisions) on my skin from the compression garment (I think)!

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.If the binder is irritating your skin, try putting on a light t-shirt and then placing the binder over top. That way there is a barrier between your skin and the binder. The compression garments are very important this early in the healing process. You can also take some benadryl and use cortisone topically to help with the itching.  Usually at your one week check, your doctor will give you a different garment other than a binder to start wearing and if they do not give you something they will give suggestions on what you can wear. Good luck with recovery.

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

I have seen this problem before.  My strong suggestion is to put a thick cotton T-shirt on under the abdominal binder to protect your skin.  Seems to work well every time.Good Luck!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on your procedures!  I would recommend reaching out to your surgeon for a discussion as to their recommendations.  If you have only a binder in place you may be able to have a more forgiving compression garment like a Spanx used to help reduce the irritation and skin rash.  Additionally giving your skin time to breath out of the garment while maintaining your skin well-moisturized can all further help your symptoms. Hope this helps.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Your personal plastic surgeon would be the best person to ask for his or her treatment of your skin rash since this is a very common problem and each plastic surgeon has their own protocol for this type of irritation.

That being said, if you were my patient, I would recommend taking the garment off every once in a while to allow the skin to breathe, especially since in my experience this is often a heat rash.  Secondly, putting a piece of material like an old T-shirt between the garment and the skin alleviates rashes of this nature.  Finally, I often use a topical steroid cream to decrease the itching since pressure garments of one kind or another need to be worn in the first two weeks post tummy tuck and/or liposuction.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The compression garment can be responsible for a rash.  This rash can be managed or another compression garment may be offered by your surgeon.  It is always best to ask these questions of your chosen surgeon as recommendations may be different.

Kenneth Hughes, MD

Los Angeles, CA

Skin rash from compression garment?

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Answer: Skin rash from compression garment?

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Skin rash from compression garment?

Answers (9)

Answer: Skin Rash From Compression Garment

Answer: Skin Rash From Compression Garment

Answer: Skin rash from compression garment?

Answer: Skin rash from compression garment?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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