United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

http://www.silon.com/pp_oleeva.html

Maia's therapist just gave us some Oleeva fabric. It's very thin and it's washable and reusable. You cut the piece only as wide as the scar itself - so you are using a VERY small amount.

My scar is beginning to keloid from the last surgery (6 weeks ago today). Yesterday my therapist put kinesio tape over it, saying that they had had good success with this flattening keloids and keeping them from forming. I guess the friction that is created under the taping as the hand is exercised keeps the fascia from adhering. (My scar is in the palm of my hand running down my lifeline to my wrist) Has anyone else used kinesio tape directly on the scar?

Nancy

Nancy

nancy - we don't use kinesiotaping because maia's skin would never tolerate it....but I've heard from other parents that it really sticks and that it has a hard time coming off- they have to oil it or use some special product to get it off and put pressure on the skin a certain way...

what I'm wondering is if you use kinesiotaping for your scar - will it be reinjuring the surface - if it's so hard to get off?

(don't forget- I have no experience with it)

I'll bring the oleeva sample to the picnic so you can see it - it looks so completely non-invasive

-francine

Nacy,
We've tried both the kinesiotpe and the the Oleeva scar patches. I saw better results with the Oleeva. I think that the main purpose of the kinesiotape is to increase blood flow to the area to help the scar heal. The Oleeva fabric increases blood flow and provides some compression to the scar. The compression really helps because my son's scar looks so much better down by his ankle (due to the compression from his socks) than it does on the rest of his calf. Unfortunately he has a pretty bad scar, and will probably need scar revision by a plastic surgeon despite the scar pads, massage, and Vitamin E. I'd give the Oleeva a try. It is quite expensive, but it does last a while since you wash and reuse it.

Francine, Is Oleeva a clear, slightly stretchy substance. Michaela's Aquatherapist gave me something to put on Michaela's scar that sounds the same but we can't get it to stick on.We were supposed to take it off 2-3 times a day to wash it and then put it back on.It just wouldn't stay in the bend of her armpit.

Well Lee Anne -if you look at that site they mention two types - clear and fabric... the one piece they gave me for maia is fabric. they told me to wear it 24 hours then replace it with new piece..and wash old piece. We have not tried it yet because Maia is having an eczema breakout. (Still working on the skin issues from the darn pool!!!)

Last year they gave us a thicker silicone patch and that didn't stay on at all.

well you can ask the comnpany for a sample - maybe they'll respond?

-francine

We've just started using kinesio tape for Matthew. It comes right off. I think maybe parents have a hard time when it's combined with rigid taping as well. I think that's when I remember people using milk of magnesia under the rigid tape, then putting kinesio tape on top of the rigid tape.
We've been using the Curad scar treatment patches on Matthew's ankle area and they have been working really well. He has a little problem area midway throught the scar on his neck so I think I'm going to give this a try. thanks Francine.
Cindy

I also tried the Band aid brand for scars and it worked really well and stayed in place but Michaela had a reaction to patch or whatever makes it stick to the skin. It's not really an adhesive because it sticks with pressure. Michaela is sensitive to adhesives so it makes it hard to find stuff that works. I think I'm going to break down and get Mederma and try it. Even baby lotion and Vitamin e make her scars appear redder after a few minutes. She also has several of the size 7/8 cotton lycra bra tops for little girls that are really snug that I purchased for her last summer at Gap Kids to wear under her overalls, and they fit right over the worst part of the scar. Someone mentioned sock compression helping, so I wonder if she wore her "bra" if that may help.LeeAnne

Francine--don't let me forget to ask about this at the picnic! Thanks