How to combat patch irritation/rash

[MaeBe]

I will add here for the topic, that I have been doing subcutaneous injections since the start of my treatment. They have been effective in reducing my T and raising E to natal levels without the use of an anti-androgen. I don't have big issues with needles, however I will note there is potential for bruising and mild bleeding at the injection site. In the past month I have started getting injection site "lumps" that are painless but tend to itch as they heal. They go away in about a week, so along with alternating injection sites they haven't been much of a concern.

 

Injections are used for all sorts of medication delivery, like diabetic medications as Lorelei stated, but I can understand the negative correlation. However, it's medication and not habitual substance use we're talking about so you should put your mind at ease in that regard. Also, if your doctor doesn't schedule one if you were to change your prescription, you can ask to have a supervised shot with a nurse at your clinic so are comfortable with it before you're on your own. My doctor scheduled one for me, so I was super confident with my first ever shot.

 

However you proceed, I wish you good luck--either with your first shot or controlling that rash! ;)

[EasyE]

thanks all ... i see my doc again in October so we are going to re-evaluate then... for now I am plugging along with the patches trying every trick in the book to keep the rash at bay -- the doc suggested spraying flonase on the site before and after - anyone ever heard of that? I also am rubbing hand sanitizer around the area daily to see if maybe that keeps irritants at bay, aloe lotion, etc. I overdid it a few weeks ago and the patch itself came right off. Oops!

 

This last patch I went back to Dotti and it did mostly OK... didn't bother me much until the last day, and the site was a bit irritated when I switched out yesterday but not nearly as much ... the "angry" patch spot from several weeks back is still pretty visible. Yikes. 

[Ivy]

Just now, EasyE said:

I also am rubbing hand sanitizer around the area daily to see if maybe that keeps irritants at bay, aloe lotion, etc. I overdid it a few weeks ago and the patch itself came right off. Oops!

I'm not sure about the sanitizer.  I don't put the lotion over the patch.  I make sure the area I'm using is clean before putting the patch on.  I only put the lotion on the spot after removing the patch.  I keep using it until ready to use that area again.  

For me, any irritation clears up within a couple of days.  I put the lotion on right after removing the patch - I don't clean off the stick-um first.  The lotion softens the glue, and I can wash it off the next day.  In my experience, trying to scrub the residue off only irritates the spot worse.

I've been using the patches for probably 5 years now.  In my labs, my E is usually just a wee bit high - but not enough to be a problem.  I don't use any "blockers."

Good luck.

[MaeBe]

1 hour ago, EasyE said:

the doc suggested spraying flonase on the site before and after - anyone ever heard of that? I also am rubbing hand sanitizer around the area daily to see if maybe that keeps irritants at bay, aloe lotion, etc.

I would say hand sanitizer would make the skin drier and more prone to irritation due to the alcohol. Flonase is an antihistamine, which might work if you're having that type of reaction. Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? Are you already taking any antihistamines? You can take an OTC Cetirizine (Zyrtec) or Loratadine (Claritin) to see if those would help, too. I'd start there before the Flonase, but that's mostly because I remember it being expensive--I'm also not your doctor and I'm not trying to counter their guidance. When my allergies/eczema get bad I usually take one in the morning and one at night, along with Fluticasone (Flonase) for extra relief--and I'm living with cats right now, so I've been taking a lot of antihistamines. ;)

[EasyE]

Sorry to keep writing on this topic ... I am wondering if anyone has any skin care tips after shaving (legs, chest, stomach, etc.). Sometimes I break out a little bit after I shave (I try to keep my blades sterilized/sanitized). And I am wondering if this is fueling some of the patch irritation ...

 

Also does anyone else use IPL to combat body hair? Does that effect the patches at all or promote more skin irritation when using a patch? I used IPL a lot about a year ago but got away from it (I am too impatient and it takes time) ... Thanks again for the help ... I know, I know. Enough about irritating patches already ;-)

[Ivy]

I don't shave my legs - I don't really have to.  I did in the beginning, but there is hardly any hair now.   My hardcore daughter has way more leg hair than me and doesn't shave.  (probably from her mother's side)

I do shave my chest/boob hairs, but I use an electric shaver and have had no irritation issues.  Actually there is not a lot of hair there either, and I could skip several days.  But if I have the shaver out…   If I could get a similar situation with my beard it would be awesome.

I don't really have any issues with irritation from shaving.

 

I never really had to shave till I was in my 20's, and that was mostly 'cause I was in the army and… you know.

 

[Susan R]

I use Estradiol patches for my HRT regimen. After placing the patches, I also place clear 4” wide surgical tape (precut to fit) to cover the patches partially to keep them on but mainly to keep the water out when showering. The surgical tape does help keep the patch water resistant but it’s not a perfect solution. Water can occasionally get underneath both tape & patch making the patched area moist.

 

I asked my doctor if the patch getting wet delutes the dose. I was told by my doctor that the water would not affect efficacy. I did notice a trend, however. If even a little water got underneath early enough into my weekly cycle of patch changes, it would make the area under the patch very itchy. Sometimes it causes irritation in the form of raised area of reddish skin. So although water may not lower the effectiveness of these patches, I personally believe the water causes a chemical reaction with the patch and they become caustic on my skin when wet.

 

 

[Ivy]

56 minutes ago, Susan R said:

I personally believe the water causes a chemical reaction with the patch and they become caustic on my skin when wet.

Hmmm….   I don't usually have much irritation, but there have been occasional occurrences.  I wonder if this is what happened.

[EasyE]

8 hours ago, Susan R said:

I personally believe the water causes a chemical reaction with the patch and they become caustic on my skin when wet.

Hmm. Interesting thought ... It does seem like it starts get red underneath the patch after I shower ... Where would one get the surgical tape? Regular Pharmacy?

[Susan R]

@EasyE

 

I buy my Surgical Tape by the roll on Amazon. It’s called Smith And Nephew Flexifix Opsite Transparent Adhesive Film Roll 4"X10.9 Yards - Model 66000041

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015TI2ZA?

[EasyE]

On 9/11/2024 at 8:20 AM, Susan R said:

After placing the patches, I also place clear 4” wide surgical tape (precut to fit) to cover the patches partially to keep them on but mainly to keep the water out when showering.

Do you leave the surgical tape on the whole period for that patch or just when showering? I really do think that things start to get irritated when I shower... I've also wondered if the irritation is from a lack of O2 available to my skin during that time... 

[Susan R]

1 hour ago, EasyE said:

Do you leave the surgical tape on the whole period for that patch or just when showering? I really do think that things start to get irritated when I shower... I've also wondered if the irritation is from a lack of O2 available to my skin during that time... 

Once the Surgical Tape is placed onto the patch, for all intents and purposes, it becomes one with the patch. So it can not be removed. The patch is clear and nearly invisible. I place mine on the sides of my buttocks and the only issue I've ever had is rolling over while sleeping. Since using E patches with the protective Surgical Tape covering (3+ years), I've only had a small part of the corner of the patch roll up twice so it's very rare. To fix, I cut the rolled up corner off immediately to keep it from continuing to roll. I decided to place another small patch over the corner that rolled up as it was too close to the edge of the E patch. To help with this potential issue, I always cut the patch to size and trim the corners round to help prevent this rolling up of the patch during sleep. Also, be sure you have  cleaned the area where you place you patch with rubbing alcohol, if you don't already. This is critical for good adhesion for both patch and surgical tape.

The question regarding the lack of O2 being a factor, I can't answer conclusively. I can only say that when I had my breast augmentation done, during recovery, I had the same Surgical Tape under each armpit for about 3 weeks. Each swatch of Surgical Tape used for recovery were about the same size as the ones I currently use over my E patches today. There was no itching, irritation or redness from that, whatsoever.

[EasyE]

So had a follow-up with the doc today. Looks like I'll be transitioning (ha - that word!) to injections ... I tried about everything I could think of and the patches still irritated the heck out of me after about a day - super red underneath and itchy -- and the irritation takes forever to fade ... just waiting for labs to return and for the doc to put the script in at the pharmacy ... will report back on details if anyone is interested ... 

 

Any advice on injections that I need to know about? A pharmacist at my doc's office spent about 30 minutes with me going over everything. She was impressed with my questions for her -- I did my research!  ... I liked her a lot!

[KathyLauren]

Just now, EasyE said:

the patches still irritated the heck out of me

 

I hope you get your HRT sorted out.

 

I tried to renew my prescription for patches (I use the Estradot brand) and found out that they are back in manufacturer's shortages again.  The pharmacy tried to talk me into taking the generic ones instead.  I am quite allergic to their adhesive, so I can totally relate to your tale of irritation that lasts a long time.  I told them no way, so they are trying to get me another size that will still make up the correct dose in the right combination.