Nicotine Patches/Skin Rash

[mamascan1]

Hi,

I recently tried to quit smoking using the Nicoderm CQ patches, but was hyper-sensitive due to a recent round of Pred. When I talked to the gentleman today ob the quit line he gave me a helpful tip. Hope anyone else having a hard time with skin reactions to patches may find this helpful.
Just as we use Milk of Magnesia for mouth ulcers, it can also be used on the skin! Just before putting your patch on, use a cotton ball to apply Milk of Mag to the area of skin you intend to stick the patch. This helps reduce the acidic reaction of the patches. Wow! I've not tried it yet, but think its useful to try.

Hugs,

Michelle style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[bugsy]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif <span style="color:#CC33CC"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Hiya Michelle

Thanks for the tip, i have just started wearing fentanyl patches so thats one thing to keep in mind if the patch irrates my skin.

I hope it works for you - good luck style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clover.gif

Take Care style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif XxX Jo XxX
</span></span>

[Raglet]

hmm, i would be a bit concerned that the milk of mag might interfer with the way that the medication from the patch is absorbed.

I am very sensitive to adhesives and always get a rash under a patch until I learned this trick. Mostly the rashes are caused by the alcohol in the patch, so before you put the patch on, remove the backing and wave it around in the air. Make sure you do this twice, changing the part of the patch you are holding (otherwise you get a rash on the part that your fingers were covering, as the alcohol is still there.

without doing this, i get open weeping raw patches in my skin under the patch, but the waving trip is great !

Also, the 'bath tub ring' left by your patch can be removed using pledge (yep, the stuff you polish your furniture with)

cheers

raglet
who has worn patches for about 10 years

[woozoofl]

Great tips you guys!!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hyper.gif That another thing I will talk to my doctor about. I wanted to discuss the nicotine patch with him. Lately my smoking is out of control and truly want to quit. It seems that everytime I want to quit, I smoke even more. I will let you know what he saids.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[mamascan1]

Hi woozoofl,

Let us know what your doc says and how your fight goes with smoking!

Hugs,

Michelle