Bandaid allergic reactions

I too am having problems with the adhesive on bandaids, medical tape, etc. Doesn't matter if it is cloth, paper, hypoallergenic, Steri-Strips, Op-site, Island dressings, DuoDerm/Comfeel, or latex free bandaids. They all give me blisters. It started when I had surgery to remove my gallbladder, and I ended up with a long incision. When the staples came out, they put on Steri-Strips (butterfly bandages). Within 2 hrs I had huge blisters under each one. Since then, it doesn't matter what kind of adhesive dressing I have, if it's on for more then a couple of hours, I run the risk of blisters. It is also not limited to bandages. I had to use a cardiac medication patch, and started to notice that I was having red areas on my chest from it that lasted at first for an hour, then by the time the medication was discontinued, they ould last 3 days. I have been tested for allergies 3x and don't have any traditional allergies.

I used Johnson & Johnson BAND-AID 1-inch waterproof tape (197201, lot1284) to fix a First Aid Gauze Pad over a cut on my leg last week. The next thing I noticed was that the tape caused skin blisters over where it adhered. The skin blisters lasted for several days. This was a total surprise. I never had any allergic skin reaction to other taps before. I will never use this brand BAND-AID tape again.

I have allergies, but the chemical I am allergic to, Ethylenediamine Dihydrochloride, I haven't so-far found listed as being part of any Band-Aid adhesive. In spite of that, I have suddenly become allergic to Curad latex-free band-aids, which I have used in the past without any allergic rash; it is not a new box, they came out of the 100 ct. box that is almost empty. I tried a home-made Band-Aid made with paper tape (3M brand), putting it in the opposite direction, and it has given me a rash as well. I am trying to keep Vasoline on a skin biopsy on my shoulder, and a frozen spot on my back under my bra, as per instructed by the dermatologist, ; there is no way to wrap locations like these. The biopsy came back negative, but it's a Lentigo sun spot that itched like crazy in the first place. Now it itches because it is healing, but the rash around it itches worse. I am using the cortisone gel that I use on my other Contact Dermatitis bumps, but it is not helping much. I read earlier today that a rash from band-aids can flare up again, if you get another one, even in another place. None of this sounds good; how do we contact the FDA? May not do any good anyway. Some TV stations will investigate things like this, and that might get attention brought to it on a larger scale!

I get little red bumps under the adhesive part of certain brand of band aids. The bumps form a pattern roughly equal to the breathing holes in the bandaid, or the non-holes, not sure which, but it is a pattern. The bumps appear usually after about 1 day, and if I don't remove the bandage soon the bumps start to puss up and merge. Some itching. The reaction goes away and gradually heals as soon as the adhesive bandaid is removed.

I don't recall the brand, but it was not Band Aids by Johnson and Johnson. It seems that only the waterproof bandages give this reaction. Also, never had a problem until about 10 years ago, and now I avoid waterproof adhesive strips, and seem to have no problems with J&J or Rite Aid brands. Never did figure out what the cause is, latex or adhesive. Most products don't list the ingredients of the adhesive.

I read an interesting WebMed post about an investigation that pointed to the adhesive containing Acrylates, causing similar reaction, but seemed to indicate that it was primarily a mechanical effect on the skin, rather than an allergic reaction, although some had a reaction that included allergic reaction plus the mechanical reaction. I didn't really understand what the mechanical reaction means, but it seemed to match my symptoms. The post also stated that the researcher was frustrated with not being able to obtain ingredients for various adhesive "band-aides".

Post Edited (Tom198) : 3/2/2016 6:03:40 PM (GMT-7)

Wanted to say that it was never itchy. I did use the band aid for a long period of time but thought I was supposed to. Saw another doctor and she told me it was probably an allergic reaction. Then hauled myself over to the dermatologist and he said to stop using it. Every thing is so rush rush now and the thing is ugly but not infected ... nature will cure me and I am staying clear of that doctor who did not seem to remember I was allergic. His staff is very high and mighty and quite nasty ... BOY ... this has not been fun and since it is on the top of my foot ... it hurts when pressed against my shoes. UGH!!!

I am making my own band aids from now on. I bought some cotton stuff and paper tape to work with. I just don't want to go through that hell again.
The brilliant dermi never told me to buy no dye, no perfume washing machine liquid and dryer pads for eczema. Another allergic person told me what to do. THEY ARE VERY CASUAL about HEALTH CARE AROUND HERE. Extremely good at billing, though.