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Because GIST drugs that inhibit the KIT protein interfere with skin cell replenishment, skin becomes progressively thinner over time. Skin that tears and bruises easily are the results.
Keep bandaids with you at all times. Thee are little wallet containers to let you carry a few easily in a pocket, purse, or wallet.
Medical Tape (such as that used to cover an blood draw or to hold on an IV line) can tear the skin when removed. Some tapes are less prone to do this, including the following:
Medipore tape by 3M: My home health care nurse at the time brought with her a tape made by 3M called Medipore. It's a very soft cloth tape with a mild yet durable adhesive. It came on a pretty large roll AND it was perforated! No scissors to juggle! It was great!! She made sure to sneak me a few rolls to save in case I ever need them again. My skin was actually able to heal where even the paper tape had done damage.
Mefix tape: In the hospital, due to my husband's troubles with skin tears ater 5 years on Gleevec, they used a gentle tape caled Mefix made by Molnlycke Health Care. It worked well.