Allergic Reaction to Medical Adhesive
Medical adhesives are found in bandages, medical and surgical tapes, medication patches and other wound care products. An estimated 0.3 percent of people report a skin reaction to medical adhesives, according to an article published in the January-February 2015 issue of "Dermatitis: Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug."
The overwhelming majority of these reactions, however, are not due to an allergy to medical adhesive 13. Rather, the reaction is due to nonallergic irritation caused by one or more chemicals in the adhesive. This condition, known as irritant contact dermatitis, appears virtually identical to an allergic skin reaction -- so the confusion is not surprising 4. A true allergy to medical adhesive is quite rare 3.
Allergic vs. Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis describes inflammation of the upper layers of the skin due to physical contact with a specific substance. There are two types of contact dermatitis, allergic and irritant 4.
Allergic contact dermatitis is the result of the irritating substance triggering an immune response within the body that expresses itself at the site of skin contact. Roughly 80 percent of all contact dermatitis is the irritant type 4.
- Contact dermatitis describes inflammation of the upper layers of the skin due to physical contact with a specific substance.
- There are two types of contact dermatitis, allergic and irritant 4.
True Allergy to Medical Adhesive
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It's very difficult for even a healthcare provider to determine whether contact dermatitis due to a medical adhesive or bandage is an allergic or irritant reaction 3.
Thus, it's estimated that roughly 96 percent of people who suspect they have an allergy to medical adhesives do not have an allergy per se. Rather, their skin is irritated by chemicals in the adhesives.
Symptoms
The symptoms of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis have some similarities and differences -- although the conditions are virtually impossible to distinguish based on symptoms alone. People with an irritant reaction to medical adhesives typically report burning, stinging or soreness rather than itchiness at the site of contact. The reverse is true with allergic contact dermatitis, with which itchiness predominates rather than pain. In both cases, the skin at the site of contact typically turns pink to red.
With allergic contact dermatitis, the redness may spread beyond the initial site of contact with the adhesive. The contact area can appear as a red rash resembling a minor burn or small bumps. In severe cases, blisters can form and break open causing a risk of infection.
- The symptoms of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis have some similarities and differences -- although the conditions are virtually impossible to distinguish based on symptoms alone.
Treatment
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The most important treatment for an allergic or irritant contact reaction to a medical adhesive is to remove the bandage or tape 3. Gently cleansing the area with mild soap and water is necessary to remove any residual adhesive. If possible, it's best to leave the area uncovered so it can heal.
If a bandage is necessary, covering the area with sterile gauze and applying tape to the gauze rather than the skin prevents further irritation. For a true allergic reaction, over-the-counter antihistamines and corticosteroid creams may be recommended. If the skin is blistering or the redness is spreading, it's important to see a medical professional for treatment advice.
- The most important treatment for an allergic or irritant contact reaction to a medical adhesive is to remove the bandage or tape 3.
- If a bandage is necessary, covering the area with sterile gauze and applying tape to the gauze rather than the skin prevents further irritation.
Prevention
If you've experienced a skin reaction to a particular brand of bandage or medical adhesive, it's important to avoid it in the future. There are many types of medical adhesives, so one brand might irritate your skin while another will not. Paper and cloth tapes are less likely to irritate the skin than plastic tapes or bandages. Note that bandages which have medicine infused into the pad portion -- such as a topical antibiotic or anesthetic, like benzocaine -- can cause an allergic reaction to the medicine rather than the adhesive.
If you have a persistent problem with medical adhesives or bandages, see your doctor.
This is particularly important if you have been prescribed a medication delivered with a skin patch. Your doctor will evaluate you for any underlying conditions that might be contributing to the skin reaction, and can order allergy testing, if needed.
Reviewed by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.
- If you've experienced a skin reaction to a particular brand of bandage or medical adhesive, it's important to avoid it in the future.
- Your doctor will evaluate you for any underlying conditions that might be contributing to the skin reaction, and can order allergy testing, if needed.
Related Articles
References
- Dermatitis: Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug: Nonallergic Reactions to Medical Tapes
- Merck Manual Professional Version: Contact Dermatitis
- Dermatitis: Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Medical Adhesive Bandages in Patients Who Report Having a Reaction to Medical Bandages
- Expert Review of Clinical Immunology: Diagnostic Approach in Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis
- Usatine RP, Riojas M. Diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis. Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(3):249-55.
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. CONTACT DERMATITIS: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Cleveland Clinic. Contact Dermatitis
- Veverka KK, Hall MR, Yiannias JA, et al. Trends in Patch Testing With the Mayo Clinic Standard Series, 2011-2015. Dermatitis. 2018;29(6):310-315. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000411
- Pacheco KA. Occupational dermatitis: How to identify the exposures, make the diagnosis, and treat the disease. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;120(6):583-591. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2018.04.013
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. How dermatologist treat contact dermatitis
- Contact Dermatitis. Medline Plus.
- Katta R, Schlichte M. Diet and dermatitis: Food triggers. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. March 2014;30–36.
- Nguyen JC, Chesnut G, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by lanolin (wool) alcohol contained in an emollient in three postsurgical patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62:1064–5.
- Saary J, Qureshi R. A systematic review of contact dermatitis treatment and prevention. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;53:845–55.
- Wentworth AB, Yiannias JA, et at. Trends in patch testing, J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70:269–75.
Writer Bio
Kathryn Meininger began writing and publishing poetry in 1967. She was co-founder and editor of the professional magazine "Footsteps" and began writing articles online in 2010. She earned a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from William Paterson University.