SOS: I need a miracle bandage!

May 30, 2024 7:48 AM

Can you help me find elusive adhesive medical bandage solution that meets the following criteria: easily shippable to Seattle, under $50, won’t rip my skin off, non-melting glue, extremely hypoallergenic and non-latex, firmly adhesive, waterproof /protective, smooth / minimal friction on topside.

Background: I got a concerning mole excised after biopsy. I now have about 2 inches of gnarly non-dissolving stitches in an extremely inconvenient area of my inner thigh. It is in a spot where there is no way to avoid friction when I walk. I will be dealing with this until at least June 7. I’m flying out of state tomorrow through June 4.

Issue: here are all the things I have tried that failed to meet my needs:

Regular large bandaids - not adhesive or protective enough

“skin-like” bandaids - very protective and adhesive but ripped the delicate skin off upon removal and gave me a gnarly allergic reaction around the outline. now realizing I might be allergic to latex?!

Hydrocolloid bandaids - very protective but not adhesive enough AND ripped the delicate skin off upon removal, and gave me a gnarly allergic reaction around the outline.

Non adherent gauze pad plus hypafix medical tape - still not good but the best so far. Adherent and protective but the hypafix rips off my skin (the glue sort of melts where the friction is highest, so it becomes like melded to my skin) and leaves nasty, large amounts of extremely sticky goo behind. Also tape shows below the hemline when I wear shorts and looks really distracting and unsanitary in a way I can’t get over.

Non adherent gauze pad plus Hypafix medical tape plus self stick exercise tape - see above, plus I wrapped colorful tape around the whole thing to address the unsightliness (now it at least looks intentional, and not like there’s used TP trailing down my thigh). This gave me a rash on the OTHER leg due to friction burn from the extra tape.

Help! What else can I try? The amount of damage to the skin around the actual stitches is getting to be worse than the stupid stitches. It’s also causing me undue anxiety, taking forever to get ready / shower off the goo, and making me hesitant to enjoy my vacation to the fullest or walk as much as I’d like.

My derm office doesn’t have any other suggestions for products and I don’t have the executive function to figure this out further with my other pre-travel priorities. (And yes I will likely fire or strongly admonish my derm once I have more spoons, I’m unhappy with other aspects of their care too).

The budget cap is not firm per se, but I keep throwing money at this issue and end up with unusable products so I can’t really afford any expensive solutions that may fail just as quickly.

Any help appreciated!!!

posted by seemoorglass to Health & Fitness (19 answers total)

Oh I forgot to mention - I have to change the dressing once a day or whenever I shower, whichever comes first. This is necessary to gently clean the stitches with soap and water.
posted by seemoorglass at 7:52 AM on May 30

I would personally be choosing to wear bike shorts or skimmies during my convalescence, if I were in this position. Non adhesive gauze, wrapped in the non adhesive sport tape, with the close fit shorts over the top to reduce friction.

I also have used and like bandelettes, which at least where I am appear to be available on Amazon for next day shipping.
posted by phunniemee at 7:57 AM on May 30

I would use a regular very large mepore dressing, with the bike short to keep it on, they sell sleeves on a roll for various areas and that’s how I’ve kept things on my knee or calf but for an inner thigh I think I’d use a bike short. You can usually go to a pharmacy and sometimes they will sell single sizes amd you can buy a few.
posted by pairofshades at 8:07 AM on May 30

Since the adhesive and my skin rarely get along (more damage from the adhesive than the original injury, sometimes), I used to end up doing gauze pads covered by elastic bandages, when possible.

Then a different injury introduced me to kinesiology tape, which for some strange reason, my skin is perfectly ok with - doesn't itch, doesn't blister and burn and break out, and comes off easily. Later on, I realized that I could combine unstretched kinesiology tape with the gauze pads, and so far, that's the best solution I've encountered for my needs. The colors and flat-ness of the tape make it look a little less awkward, and since I can wrap it around AND it sticks, it stays in place better. (And since it and the gauze can be easily cut with scissors, it can be whatever shape I want it to be.)
posted by stormyteal at 8:12 AM on May 30

Second to phunniemee's bike shorts/skimmers recommendation. It can also help make marginal adhesion better, so you can use a less irritating adhesive if there is one that mostly works.

If you settle on a plan that has you dealing with stickiness left on your skin, get adhesive remover pads.
posted by advicepig at 8:14 AM on May 30

This is the type of dressing I was talking about:

https://www.amazon.com/Gauze-Island-Pack-Individually-Breathable-Absorbent-Latex-Free/dp/B083YZM2QH/
posted by pairofshades at 8:15 AM on May 30

Non adherent gauze pad plus Hypafix medical tape plus self stick exercise tape - see above, plus I wrapped colorful tape around the whole thing to address the unsightliness (now it at least looks intentional, and not like there’s used TP trailing down my thigh). This gave me a rash on the OTHER leg due to friction burn from the extra tape.

Do this and wear bike shorts/leggings/capris for protection on the other leg. Tip: you can put some duct tape on the outside of the fabric on the other leg so the whole rig doesn't make it pill or tear.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:15 AM on May 30

Maybe I retract my answer, possibly try tegaderm or another transparent film dressing?
posted by Lyn Never at 8:19 AM on May 30

Cavilon barrier film in combination with option 4/5 and bike shorts? Seconding adhesive remover pads as well.
posted by Knicke at 8:24 AM on May 30

Yes, Tegaderm seems like your best bet. Various sizes are available. I've successfully used it on burns, cuts, and acres of bike rash and everything healed very well underneath it. I'm a big wimp about pulling off bandages, but Tegaderm hasn't hurt me yet, and it doesn't leave goo behind.

You want the thin film, not any version with an extra pad applied or those thicker hydrocolloid bandages. The thin film and its backing make it a little tricky to apply the first time, but from then on, it's very easy to apply and remove.
posted by maudlin at 8:41 AM on May 30

i also came to suggest tegaderm. i use it for tattoos. i am very sensitive to all adhesives, but can leave this on for 2-3 days before i notice irritation. you'll want to leave a large border around the stitches so it has plenty of space to adhere. and take it off in the shower! shower for a bit, then begin to gently pull it off while holding your skin taught.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:01 AM on May 30

Silicone scar tape is amazing stuff, and meets many if not all of your requirements.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:04 AM on May 30

Buy gauze, wrap it, tie off with a bandanna or tape the gauze to itself.

I just had a large bandage adhered, removed it with mineral oil(baby oil). It came off easily.
posted by theora55 at 9:10 AM on May 30

This is something I’d check with, I dunno, the *next* derm, since yours is unresponsive, but I remember being wildly relieved that my MIL’s surgical incision didn’t need daily washing and redressing because the (fancy modern hydrocolloid) bandage was so good. She just left the bandage on and washed *it* gently for the week between appointments .


Possibly groin incisions are different or possibly you’re getting out of date advice, but I’d check.
posted by clew at 9:22 AM on May 30

I used Steri Strips after hand surgery (with sutures )a few years ago and they were great.

If you think they'd fit the bill, I have a bunch leftover that I'll give you. I can't remember the exact size but I just put them perpendicular to the incision and they were fine. I'm near Northgate. Memail me and we can arrange something for tonight or when you get back.
posted by Gorgik at 9:28 AM on May 30

Tegaderm? In many cases, you wouldn't need to change a Tegaderm dressing every single day since it's waterproof and airtight. Check with your nurse if that might work for you - they may only be telling you to change the dressing daily because they assume it gets wet in the shower. If it could stay totally dry - which Tegaderm is great for - then it may need less frequent changes.

To protect the irritated area around the stitches - When you dress the injury, you could also put idodine all around it in a large area, then cover it with a really BIG piece of sterile gauze and then a huge piece of Tegaderm over that. The oversize gauze could cover and shield all the irritated skin, so the Tegaderm adhesive is only touching healthy skin that's further away from the stitches.

Another idea - could you wear smooth, shiny spandex bike shorts over the injury (to hold down and protect whatever flattish dressing you like)?
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:43 AM on May 30

Seconding the "Island Dressing" type bandages that pairofshades recommended. I used this one from JJ Care. It's latex free. It removed pretty easily for me, but the skin was not particularly sensitive so ymmv on that.
posted by hovey at 10:21 AM on May 30

Thank you all! It is so helpful to get all this input and I’ll get on these suggestions ASAP! I’m feeling better about my trip already.
posted by seemoorglass at 4:01 PM on May 30

Just closing this thread out - tegaderm was perfect! While I did still have an allergic reaction to it, it was by far the most tolerable and sanitary option, and even my dermatologist was impressed with how well it healed given all the complications. Thank you all!
posted by seemoorglass at 11:08 AM on June 8