posted
I go through the same lugubrious experience of not being able to touch stuff. It's due to our mast cells overreacting, I think.
Have you tried the nonlatex bandaids, keeping the middle part high enough off your skin for it not to be touching you? I pass that.
I also have to protect my skin from being touched, including during hospital visits.
I ordered plastic bags from U-Line - they carry them in dark navy and blue - they are nonallergenic plastic bags for me, the only nonallergic bags I have found -
I can carry my stuff in them (don't tell nonplasticbag CA that) and I use them to protect my skin, as in lying on them or wrapping limbs in them as needed.
I always have that conversation with folks who are taking care of me medically, explaining chem sensitivity. They're ok about it as long as I explain what's going on.
I even went dressed in plastic bags for our April 1 St Stupid's Day parade the year the city banned them! Thing is, so did everyone else, so I felt normal for a change...
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Jordana
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posted
Theoretically you can be allergic to anything but I don't think the two are connected. I think it's a hyper-reactive response to getting your blood drawn.
I've had some worrisome local reactions to blood draws that I finally related to whatever infection I've got in my endothelial cells.
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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posted
Jordana, I go through this too - it's a mast cell reaction, I think, to chemicals that touch our skin.
What kinds of reactions did you get to blood draws? I've never had a bad reaction.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Jordana
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It just gets kind of bubbly with little red spots. It seems to happen every time I go now, but it doesn't seem to be related to the gauze or the bandaid, because that only stays on for a half an hour and the reaction sticks around for a couple of days.
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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randibear
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posted
when I went back in, the nurse told me I was highlyy allergic to anything with latex in it and to stay away from all rubber products.
it's not the blood draw or needles, but it's something the hospitals use.
I can't even be touched with those rubber gloves.
and my red skin and blisters stay for days. the nurse said it wasn't my nerves. cause I was really stressed out over not breathing.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
But what about the nonlatex blue Nitrile gloves? I'm ok with those.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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randibear
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posted
never heard of those. but store bandaids simply will not stick to my skin, none of them. I've even tried those cloth type bandaids and they jus fall off.
if I have to use something, I get a gauze pad and that tape in a first aid kit. you know, it's the kind in that funny round thing that you punch out. some kind of medical tape. its in all those first aid kits.
my gp jus slaps a cottonball on my arm and says hold up your arm for 10 minutes. no bandaid at all.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Catgirl
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posted
Do you have oily skin or put lotion on or could it be a moisturizing soap you use? Maybe it's the wipe they use before the draw or combination of something on your skin?
So ALL tape has latex in it (rubber) with the exception of special latex free tape. I've had labs use paper tape on me before that had latex in it. Ask to see the latex free package on all tape, even in the hospital (can't rely on whoever orders the stuff).
I do the cottonball thing too, or just use a latex free bandaid.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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sammy
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posted
I'm super allergic to latex products too. I get a rash of burn like sores, blisters that open up and weep. It is terribly painful.
Those "cloth" Coban wraps used for blood draws have latex in them so you could easily react if allergic.
The only band aides that I can use are Nexcare Waterproof Clear bandages. They are a huge save! And super nice since waterproof too.
My skin is super sensitive to tapes, the one that works the best for me is silicone. It sticks great, can even restick! It is blue colored to distinguish it. Made by 3M, I get mine from my infusion pharmacy. It's over the counter name is something "gentle". No other tape is blue so that can help you find it.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Brussels
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posted
Here at home, all of us three are allergic to most plasters.
We do not react as badly as you, but simply get itchy skin, red, watery skin...
We avoid normal plasters for many years. There are hypoallergenic plasters that are totally fine for us.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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MADDOG
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posted
The bandaid at the blood draw place is a stretchy wrinkly thing.
Every were it touches gets bright red on my arm.
I pull it off and you can see were it was for a long time.
Regular band aids do not do that to me .
MADDOG
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WPinVA
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Yes, Randibear, I get this too. II first reacted to EKG pads and then started reacting to band-aids. It started a few years into Lyme. It is definitely not related to blood draws because I do fine with those; it's the adhesives.
Instead of band-aids, I do ok with the rolled up bandage that kind of puckers up and attaches to itself - and put that over some gauze.
Now I tell people I have an allergy to "medical adhesives." I am still figuring out which chemical it is. I need to go to my allergist to get a chemical patch test to suss it out. They tape patches of chems on your back and leave them there for two days. Pretty sure I won't even get out of the door tho.
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WPinVA
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quote:Originally posted by Jordana: It just gets kind of bubbly with little red spots. It seems to happen every time I go now, but it doesn't seem to be related to the gauze or the bandaid, because that only stays on for a half an hour and the reaction sticks around for a couple of days.
Reactions can stick around LONG after you've removed the trigger.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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randibear
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yeah cause my arms stay red and blistered for days.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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