one week out and have itchy rash in stomach

[Fulvio 3]

The skin in the area around where my surgery wounds are is crazy itchy and bumpy. I feel like I have a rash. It has been a week since surgery and the wounds are healing. Is there anything I can safely put on my skin to stop the itching?

[Atlgadgetgrrl 6]

I had that too. I figured it was either from the steristrip adhesive or contrast used in a CAT scan. Benadryl gel applied topically didn't help. I pulled the strips off, replaced with non reactive band aids, and got approval from my doc to take liquid Benadryl. Two doses later, it faded considerably. Good luck!

[SueJH 205]

Same here. Was told it was a contact dermatitis from the adhesives and things they used during surgery. Took oral benadryl and it did help.

[ashelaine 382]

Add me to the list. Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream are what my dr suggested.

[2notbwinded 27]

Yup me too, I've been putting on cold compresses on it since I was scared of putting any benadryl gel on it... & swallowing pills is really difficult for me now.

[megansmommy123 57]

I had it too, drove me crazy! I asked my dr and she said to apply some anti itch cream, hydrocortisone, or Benadryl cream. It worked good. I had to put it on twice a day, just around the incision, not on it.

[JennyBeth 127]

I had same thing. It's an allergic reaction to the skin glue. My doctor said the same as everyone else-hydrocortisone cream and Benadryl every 6 hours. They make Benadryl in liquid form, but the pills are very small and I had no issues swallowing them. I applied the cream and took the Benadryl for about 4-5 days and it completely cleared up. It felt like my skin was on fire!!

[Fulvio 3]

Thanks everyone for the input. I ended up calling my surgeon and they put me on prednisone (which I dreaded) but it is helping a lot! The benedryl and anti itch creme were not working.

Wow, I think that itch was the worst part of the surgery.... that I can remember