Before you head out for the day, you put on a patch to cover your flare. After a few hours, the redness and inflammation have calmed down, and you decide it's done its job for now. Should you toss it, or is it worth keeping to use again later?
The short answer is no: Even if you haven't worn it long or it looks untouched, reusing an eczema patch won't deliver the same results and may even be unsanitary.
Here's why saving that patch won't do your skin any favors.
If you're unsure what kind of relief your skin needs, take the Flare Quiz to check your stage in 60 seconds.
Why You Shouldn't Reuse Patches
Eczema patches are designed to gently stick—and just like with a bandaid, once you peel them off, they won't adhere to the skin anymore. They also deliver ingredients that calm and restore the barrier over the course of a few hours. If you leave them sitting out, the formula is no longer effective.
Surge is made with hydrocolloid, which expands and absorbs fluid after its first wear. If you reapply it, it won't be able to do that job anymore. It can also trap bacteria and reintroduce your flare to what it extracted, leading to more irritation, inflammation, and even infection.
What You Can Do Instead
It's always recommended after using a patch for any amount of time to throw it away and grab a fresh one the next time you need it. You can apply Surge and Signal daily, and Reset two to three times per week. They all last up to six to eight hours.
To conserve and get the most out of Surge, you can always trim it to fit smaller areas. Just make sure to leave the remaining patch in its packaging, and store it in a sanitary place.
Surge is made of hydrocolloid to retain moisture and protect your Active Flare from scratching and external irritants.
FAQs
Can you reuse an eczema patch?
No, you shouldn't reuse an eczema patch. It won't adhere to the skin and the delivery of ingredients will be ineffective. It can also be unsanitary.
What happens if you reuse a hydrocolloid patch?
Hydrocolloid patches are meant to absorb fluid. If reused, it won't be able to absorb more and will also reintroduce what it extracted to the skin.
Can reusing a patch cause an infection?
If you're reapplying a patch on an Active Flare or weeping area, it can trap bacteria and further irritate the skin. This exposes the already sensitive spot to potential infection.
Can you reuse a patch if you barely wore it?
No, you should still apply a fresh patch. Even if you barely wore it, it won't stick as well and won't be able to deliver the ingredients to the barrier.