How long do the steristrips stay on? And, what's this rash?

Woke up this morning (post op day 6) to find the steri strip in my belly button letting go. Nothing's oozing so I am not that worried. The others are all starting to have corners lift. I am just wondering what a steri strip lifespan is.

Also, I have a lacy rash, sorta itchy, that popped up Sunday night. It is covering front and back of my abdomen. I have a call into the doc from yesterday, still waiting for a call back (going to call them again here soon), but from what I am reading, it might either be from the orange stuff they painted me up with in surgery (but why is it on my back?) or from the contrast they used during a CT scan to check for clots in my chest (but why isn't it everywhere? Then again, I am not complaining).

Any ideas? Thanks!

My doc gave me 2 weeks with the steri strips as a guideline, but they ended up removing all that had not fallen off on their own at my first post-op appointment at about 1 week.

As for the rash, I ended up with a couple immediately post-op. I have a latex sensitivity, and the boots on my legs for circulation caused a major issue and rash. I also got a nasty rash and itchiness from the first pain medication they gave me. Switched me to Lortab, and I was fine.

I hope you feel better soon!

I was told lifespan was approximately two weeks.  If they come off before then on their own and the incision looks good don't worry about it.  I think I had one that came off at 6 days and had to take one off at three weeks.  The rest fell off.

My allergy was to the glue they use on band-aids and steri strips so I had an itchy rash all over my tummy.  I also became allergic to the Prilosec they were giving me and that caused hives all over my back.   Once the steri strips were off the itchy rash went away after a couple days.  The hives disappeared after a day or two of stopping Prilosec. 

It really does sound like yours is more of a contact dermatitis situation.  It could be that your skin is drier and being irritated by things it wasn't irritated by before i.e. laundry detergent, fabric softener, soap, etc.   I hope you get it figured out because it isn't fun to be uncomfortable

Tracy

 

I got a rash from the adhesive as well. The hospital never told me how long to keep the steri-strips on but when I had my 1 week appt my nurse took them off. She said that they do fall off on their own. Doesn't hurt to call and check with someone at the Dr's office if you are unsure though, that is what they get paid the big bucks for!

Take care!

you can trim the ends of the steristrips if they no longer stick to you.  helps keep rest on longer. 2 weeks to a month (on the big one)

My doc peeled mine off 5 days postop.  He said that once the ends started curling up, you could pull them off.

I was told they should last about 10 days...I think I peeled one off at 5 days because I had a rash underneath it...the rest I had gradually peeled off by 2 weeks.

I had a red itchy rash (looked like a sunburn) on my breasts and abdomen that I discovered the day after surgery. I am assuming it's from whatever they put on my skin during surgery (I have very sensitive skin). They gave me a shot of what I'm assuming was Benadryl or something and it knocked me out for the night (which was awesome).

I wonder if you're allergic to the soap they scrubbed you with?  I'm allergic to Betadine, a sanitizing soap-wash that a lot of surgeon's use to cleanse the skin prior to surgery. It is thick & yellow & slightly oily feeling. It makes me swell up and itch. It made my brother have a seizure, he's so allergic to it.

I kept mine on for 5 weeks, but replaced them myself every week.

Not sure if it made a huge difference but I can't find any of my scars anymore, even the big port.