Does anyone have suggestions for protecting sensitive post-surgery skin from irritation by seams in bras and other clothing? When I had an axillary clearance years ago, I was able to tuck a plain, smooth handkerchief folded into a triangle under my arm, held in place by my bra, but a mastectomy scar is a much bigger area. The dressings have just come off, so everything is of course extra sensitive. I can wear a crop top at night, but that’s probably not enough support for all day, and wouldn’t protect the underarm area.
Any good ideas that worked for you? I don’t want to replace all my bras only to discover they don’t work long term.
Look a t the Boody bamboo bras. I’m 38DD (no mastectomy) and they give me plenty of support and are seamless too.
1 Like
Thanks for the suggestion.
1 Like
Its bit of a faff but I found trying to keep silk next to my skin helped. I found old silk scarfs in charity shops and loosely sewed these to bra’s. Then current bra may be more bearable.
1 Like
Good idea, thanks. I have a lot of scarves, most of which have been sitting in a drawer since I retired.
Well, the hot, humid weather didn’t help, did it? Otherwise, I’m coping fairly well with cotton handkerchiefs–the kind sold as men’s–safety-pinned to my bras, though I have to pull them smooth from time to time.
It would be good if someone could devise a cotton liner including the underarm area that could be hooked onto straps or stuck on.
Has anyone used silicone strips? Did they help?
1 Like
Hi. I’ve just found a fabulous vest by a company called ‘eczema clothing’. They have a website. Actually ChatGPT found it for me so there’s something good about AI!
I don’t like to wear a bra indoors, especially in the heat, but the side seams of all my tops rub and irritate the side of my new boob and on my scar which extends round my side. Also the rough top of my lymphodema sleeve rubs on the side of my boob. It feels like brambles! Eczema Clothing have a soft organic cotton vest with no side seams (essentially it’s a tube) and it’s cut high into the armpit. Nothing rubs. They do them in black or white so it can be worn as a t shirt but it’s a bit long (unless you’re handy with a sewing machine). It will be lovely and warm in the winter if worn under something else. I bought an XL and it fits even though my waist is 4cm bigger than their chart. I’m wearing one now and it’s bliss!
I also use Kelocote silicone gel (available in Boots but it’s expensive). After a month my scar is paler and feels less scratchy. Scar massage with a moisturiser has helped enormously with eliminating discomfort. I can squish it around quite firmly now whereas before I could hardly touch parts of it. There are lots of videos about how to do it on YouTube.
Hopefully you might find some of this helpful. Might be worth a look?
All the best.
1 Like
Thanks–I’m personally over the worst, and I’ve ditched the bras that caused the most discomfort with seams or straps in the wrong place. (All older ones, thank goodness) I know what you mean about seams and edges, though. I’ve had to ditch more than one garment in my life because of a rough seam or wrist or neck welt that made it unwearable. Chemo, rads and hormone therapy all tend to lead to dry and/or sore skin that needs lots of TLC.
I absolutely agree about massaging the scar with moisturiser. I expect to keep on with stretching exercises for a very long time to keep the external and internal scars and the surrounding muscle as supple as possible.