I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: fuzzyL on November 27, 2012, 05:04:17 PM
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my button hole is starting to mature, wondering about tips for removing "scabs"--also having trouble getting blunt in venal--any tips on that---thank you
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I have dialysis at 10 in the morning. I shower 1 hour before. As soon as I get out of the shower I put EMLA cream on. I cover each buttonhole with a tiny piece of Saran Wrap and a piece of tape. It gets the scabs nice and soft and they pick right off with the pointed cap at the end of the needle.
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I dialyze at home with NxStage. My buttonholes seem to scab up very hard, very quickly. I put EMLA cream on with a tegaderm over it (thanks to whoever suggested ordering them on Amazon!) about 3 pm. I get home from work about 6 pm and get on NxStage ASAP. Because the EMLA is on for 3 hours, I don't get the numbing, but my scabs dissolve nicely. I also take a 2x2 gauze, soak it with water, and apply dish soap (with antibiotic in it) directly over each site for about 15 minutes.
If I don't do that or am late putting EMLA on, my husband (the needle-stabber) can tell the difference. Besides having to really poke at the scabs, he feels the track is tougher.
About the venous - is it deep? Mine sometimes moves deeper and we have to use a 1.25" needle. We also take off the tourniquet after getting the arterial needle in. If we happen to forget, the venous does not go in! Also, try different arm positions - my arm has to lay in a certain way with my palm up.
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I do the same thing as Katie. The only difference is that I use triple antibiotic cream. The scabs are nice and soft when the bandaids are removed! :2thumbsup;
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Thank you all !!!! for your help