Allergy to Steri-Strips... What do I do?!

MetalMuggle

Hello!

I have an Implanon contraceptive implant in my left arm, which I am now on the 6th year of my 2nd implant. It's been great and not caused me any real issues other than painful periods and a tad bit of weight gain.

The first time I had it put in, it was just a quick injection to insert it.

When I had that one removed 3 years later, they had to make a deep incision to to get it out which they sealed back together with Steri-strips. About 3 days after the Steri-strips had been applied my skin started to blister and peel around the Steri strips. I ignored it for a few more days so the wound was healed and then very slowly took them off. I had blisters full of liquid (like when you get a bad burn!) and it HURT.

I went over the weekend to have it changed again after the 3 years.

I explained the last reaction I had to the Steri-strips and was told they couldn't make the cut in my arm as they didn't have anybody Jo could put a stitch in and they wouldn't use the Steri strips due to my allergy.

I was then told it would be highly unlikely that I would be able to find someone who could remove and insert an implant AND know how to do stitches!

I was apologised to and told that they had no idea who I could be referred to.

So here I am, stuck with a implant in my arm, the doctor refused to give me any other type of birth control because I have the implant which may continue releasing smaller amounts of the hormones into me, so going on the pill or other hormone contraceptives are a no no.

I don't really trust condoms as my only type of contraceptive.

Does anyone know of Steri strips for people allergic to the usual ones? The doctors would let me take my own for them to use as long as they were clearly sterile. Or of anywhere in the West Midlands that can do removal an insertion and stitch the hole??

Thanks!

welshbookworm

You should know that you may not be allergic to these products but are instead seeing chemical burns resulting from the the solutions used to clean the skin being trapped under occlusive dressings. If you have sensitive skin ask to have the cleanser rinsed off with saline before the adhesives are applied.

MetalMuggle

Thanks! They did wipe it off last time before they put the dressings on, so I don't think it's that. I generally have very sensitive skin and odd latex and glues really affect me (eyelash glue was the worst!!!)

Nicki

Was this a FPC or your GP practice? My GP does minor procedures so would definitely be able to put stitches in as well as remove an implant. Or how about the minor injuries department at a local hospital? If all else fails you might need to get a gynae referral. As gynaes are surgeons they definitely know how to stitch as well as insert and remove implants but it seems a bit overkill for such a small procedure.

GwylimT

Is your GP a bit awkward? You can take other forms of contraception while on the rod, many women for example who experience continued spotting are placed on the combination pill while using the implanon. Before my wife had our youngest she was on the implanon and had almost continuous bleeding for five months towards the end, her GP put her on the combination pill to stop the bleeding.

Two years on her implanon is still in her arm! While you're meant to get them removed if you just leave them there it really doesn't matter as long as every now and again you make sure you can still feel it. When our youngest was 6 weeks old she went back onto the combination pill with no problem at all.

greenbee

They should be able to find some kind of dressing that you're not allergic to. They just need to check the adhesive. I'm allergic to most plasters and tape, but both my GP and the hospital have a record of the ones I've had problems with and the ones I haven't. Generally the more expensive ones are OK :-) (I'm currently using Mefix with no issues).

bagginslover

I was then told it would be highly unlikely that I would be able to find someone who could remove and insert an implant AND know how to do stitches!

How ridiculous!! Surely closing up is part of the training to open up a patient, on any scale?! You cannot be the first person they've seen with an allergy to steristrips. I'd be making phonecalls to the practice manager to get this sorted.