Need some tips on sponge bathing

[kickingandscreaming]

I started out to do PD and my catheter failed immediately.  While I wait for it to be fixed I am doing in-center hemo with a central neck catheter.  So now I have 2 areas of my body that I have to protect.  Can't bathe because of the PD cath and can't shower because of the CV cath.  I'm doing the best I can, but it's really hard.  I could really use some tips as to the best methods of keeping clean while being limited as I am.  I'm dirty and itchy and can't wash my hair without flooding the bathroom.  I'm a mess.  Help please!!!

[Darthvadar]

Hi Kicking and screaming....

Sorry to hear of your troubles....

I cared for my mum for years, and we went through the whole PD/Haemo roller coaster...

I found the best solution was to use baby wipes!... They're gentle around those sensitive areas, clean really well, and don't leave you wet enough to feel cold...

Oh and those dry shampoos that you spray in, and comb out are really good, too...

I'd be prepared to bet that you think you look worse than you do... Mum always thought she smelled during those times I couldn't shower her... She didn't, but I think the loss of autonomy over her own body led to her overreacting... It's so hard to lose the ability to attend to those basic tasks...

I hope things improve for you very soon....

God bless...

Darth....

[PrimeTimer]

Darthvadar: I've read some of your old posts; you took excellent care of your mum, she definitely was in good hands and in good company. You're a pro!

[Darthvadar]

Darthvadar: I've read some of your old posts; you took excellent care of your mum, she definitely was in good hands and in good company. You're a pro!

Aaaaw, thank you, PrimeTimer...

I really appreciate that!.. Still miss her terribly...

Thanks for taking the time to make me smile!...

God bless...

Darth....

[Charlie B53]

Sink full of hot soapy water and a washcloth.

Though you CAN wrap your Cath(s) with 'Press and Seal' to keep the end and fitting dry, the exit site will still get wet.   I go ahead and take off the cover bandages and shower away.  I am careful scrubbing around the site first, thinking get that done before using the washcloth on any other portion of the body minimizes the possibility of transfer of anything onto the site.
Re-bandage the site soon as your done and dried.  Here again, pat dry the site before the towel touches any other part of my body.

I've tried other 'plastic' wraps, none work near as well as the 'Press-n-Seal'.

I've tried some large peel and stick water-proof dressing covers.  Didn't care for them much at all.   They made it difficult to clean well and I still had to clean that area after peeling it off to put on a new dressing.

Maybe I will talk with my Son about making a video, showing how I wrap/roll my Cath with the 'Press-n-Seal'.  It really isn't that difficult.  You just have to pay attention so to be sure that it seals  properly.

I don't doubt I could soak in a pool or hot tub and still not get my fittings wet.  That may not be a good idea because of the possibility of nasties in the water getting in at the wound site.  But the Cath itself would be fine.  Soap and city water at the site should be fine.  Check with your PD Nurse, see what she says.

[casper2636]

When I was reduced to taking sponge baths (not for long because I found the peel and wraps), I found a hair cutting place that would wash my hair for $10.00. It was a bit expensive, but it did give me that feeling of being thoroughly clean. I always felt so much better in spirits afterwards. Keep in mind that this is only temporary. Hang in there!

[PrimeTimer]

Another idea... Pump some anti-bacterial foaming hand soap onto a wet washcloth.   

[ashleyasherman]

I also had the PD catheter and the central neck catheter when I was switching from PD to in center hemo. By that time I was doing my own dressing changes on my PD catheter so I was allowed to get it wet to clean it. I would just fill the bathtub with a couple of inches of water and sit and bathe myself the best that I could. I would cover my central neck catheter with plastic wrap and tape it down with medical tape. That works well so that you don't accidentally splash it. For my hair, we have a removable shower head so I would just use that and tip my head over the bath tub. Most times I could wash my hair myself but my husband did help a few times. I hope that helps a little bit I've been sponge bathing since May so I've really gotten into a good routine. I also use baby wipes for the areas I can't wash like my neck since I don't want to risk getting my central catheter wet.

[kitkatz]

I suppose running through a car wash naked is out? 


I ended up just going ahead and taking the shower when I had a catheter.  I became a pro at changing my dressings, even though I was not really supposed to.  The head nurse at the dialysis center would give me the big bandaid covers to put back over it because he knew I would dry everything and change it out carefully.
 
However, I do not recommend this method for people new to dialysis.

[cattlekid]

I did the same thing a few times when I had my CVC.  I was fine with washing my hair in the sink but the $10 was worth it especially for special occasions because they would blow dry it too and let me go to town with the hairspray (as a child of the 80's, I still like my big hair for parties)

When I was reduced to taking sponge baths (not for long because I found the peel and wraps), I found a hair cutting place that would wash my hair for $10.00. It was a bit expensive, but it did give me that feeling of being thoroughly clean. I always felt so much better in spirits afterwards. Keep in mind that this is only temporary. Hang in there!

[kickingandscreaming]

Thanks everyone.  Unfortunately in my neck of the woods (outside Boston) a simple shampoo starts at $25!!!  That's a bit steep for me unless I only wash it once.  I did buy some no-rinse shampoo (meant for invalids) that you just wet the hair with, massage around and dry.  I'm going to try it tomorrow.  Also got some no-rinse body cleaner that is just wiped on with a wash rag. 

[kickingandscreaming]

I would like to add that I just received and tried a no-rinse shampoo product.  It's not a dry shampoo, but something you wet your hair with, massage in and then dry.  Seemed to do a good job.  I bought it on Amazon (amazon.com/gp/product/B00008KA7P?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00) and it's called NoRinse Shampoo. Cost $8.75/ 16 oz bottle and it looks like it will last a long time (my hair is shortish). Just another option for the cather-challenged.