Why has redness, swelling, and itching appeared around the wound after a dressing change?

After changing the dressing, the skin around the wound became red and itchy, and after a couple of days, small blisters even appeared. Many people immediately assume, "I'm allergic to the adhesive tape." But the truth is, many adhesive tapes are wrongly accused—the same redness and itching can have at least three completely different causes, and the treatment methods are also different.

Three possibilities, distinguish them first.

The first type is medical adhesive-related skin injury, or MARSI for short. When the dressing is removed, the adhesive exerts a shearing force on the skin, removing a portion of the stratum corneum, which manifests as redness, peeling, and blisters in the area where the tape was applied. Its characteristic is that it appears shortly after removal, and the redness is consistent with the shape of the tape.

The second type: contact allergy. The erythema extends beyond the edge of the dressing, itching is more pronounced than pain, and small papules or rashes may appear, usually a few hours to a day after application.

The third type: maceration. Exudate soaks the skin around the wound until it turns white, soft, and wrinkled—this is not a "wound," but a "blister," and the cause lies in the management of exudate.

Why is MARSI often mistaken for an allergy?

Because they look so similar, both being red and broken. But there's a simple way to tell them apart: try a different type of hypoallergenic tape and improve your removal technique. If the redness subsides after a few days, it's most likely MARSI, not an allergic reaction. Allergies won't disappear just because you apply the tape gently.

This is important because the solutions are different: for allergies, you need to avoid the allergen; for MARSI, you need to change the technique and use gentler materials. If you go in the wrong direction, the redness and itching will keep "recurring".

Who are high-risk groups? 

Elderly people, those who have been using hormones long-term, diabetics, those who are dehydrated, and those with thin skin—does this sound familiar? Yes, it's the same group as those with "paper-thin skin." The weaker the skin barrier, the greater the damage when removing adhesive bandages. Therefore, for this group, low-damage silicone gel dressings should be chosen from the beginning, rather than waiting until skin problems arise before changing them.

What should be done after redness and itching occur?

First, change the way you peel it off: hold the skin with one hand and slowly peel off the dressing at an angle of about 180 degrees with the other hand. Before peeling, wet the edges with saline or warm water, and use a peeling agent if necessary.

For skin that is already broken: Use a combination of skin care powder and protective film. In the next few days, reduce direct application and use bandages or mesh low-adhesion dressings to fix it, giving the skin a two- or three-day recovery period.

If you suspect an allergic reaction: switch to products that do not contain acrylic adhesives or silicone gels; if the redness and itching are extensive and there are obvious blisters, ask your doctor for a prescription for a topical steroid cream and use it as directed. Do not apply it haphazardly on your own.

Immersion: Strengthen exudate management, change to dressings with greater absorbency, and apply a protective film to the wound edges to separate the skin. 

Prevention is more important than treatment.

Before applying dressings, high-risk individuals should cultivate several low-cost habits: spray a layer of alcohol-free skin protectant on sensitive areas, essentially giving the skin a thin raincoat; avoid repeatedly applying dressings to the same spot, rotating between different areas; when choosing dressings, prioritize the contact layer material, as silicone gel is much gentler than ordinary acrylic adhesive. Following these guidelines will largely prevent redness and itching from occurring.

Kind tips:

If the skin barrier is already damaged, continuing to apply dressings to the same red and itchy skin is like opening the door for bacteria. Redness and itching are not just being dramatic; they are the skin's alarm bells—adjusting your treatment plan when you hear the alarm is much more effective than waiting until the skin breaks down before addressing it. 

The next time you experience redness and itching after changing dressings, don't rush to blame the adhesive tape. Observe the shape of the redness, think about how you removed it, and check for any oozing. The answer is often right there in front of you.

For more information on Innomed®Hydrocolloid Dressing, Refer to the Previous Articles. If you have customized needs, you are welcome to contact us; You Wholeheartedly. At longterm medical, we transform this data by Innovating and Developing Products that Make Life easier for those who need loving care.

Editor: kiki Jia