PD people. Showering Rules

[Hanify]

I am still astounded at the differences in the rules we have to abide by.  I wanted to find out what the main situation is.  Over here (New Zealand) we are told to shower with an uncovered exit site, and can even swim in the sea - but with a covered site.  Not supposed to have baths (although I do occasionally) and absolutely cannot go in a hot pool.  Grrr.  Interested to see what everyone else's rules are.  Thanks for partaking.

[KICKSTART]

I think it also varies from hospital to hospital ! I have been told forget swimming its a no no , never shower without covering exit site , in fact my exit site is covered 24/7 and always has been !

[rookiegirl]

Here in NC...I was told to shower with the exit site uncovered and no bath.  Swim in the ocean or swimming pool only and covering the site is optional.  No swimming in lakes, river, ponds.

[joyfulmother]

Shower with exit site uncovered, no baths, no swimming unless in a private pool.

[peleroja]

Told not to shower, do it anyway, also with my hemo catheter.  No ocean swimming, don't recall any warning about pools.  I used to use my hot tub (until it broke down), but then I have a presternal catheter, so I can get in the water up to my breasts.  My exit site is uncovered 24/7 except when I go see the doctor, and then I just put a band-aid on it.  I am highly allergic to all types of tape, as they leave nasty bumps and blisters on my skin.  They still consider me a poster child for PD, as the only peritonitis I developed came from an abdominal hernia that burst, not from lack of cleanliness!

[paul.karen]

Strange how it varies so much.  Not just overseas but also state to state and even county to county.

From all i have read and i am not on PD for another month or so.

Ocean swimming is ok
Swimming in a private pool ok. if you know it is kept clean chemical wise.
A public pool NO kids peeing puking ect.

No lakes or standing water.
A shower god i hope so............

[Restorer]

The rules I was given were to shower with the site uncovered, and wash it then with antibacterial soap and sterile gauze; not to take a bath (though I do with my site under a Tegaderm dressing); not to swim in public pools or hot tubs, but a private chlorinated pool is okay, as is sea water, as long as the site is cleaned afterward.

[Darthvadar]

For what it's worth, and we're in Ireland, Mum's been advised to shower with her TenchKoff uncovered, BUT to allow the shower to run very hot for about a minute before using it... Appearantly, water can stagnate in the shower head, and gather all kinds of bacteria... So it's strongly advised to give the shower a quick hot flush first...

Darth...

[mcmkids]

My husband showers with the site uncovered. I am pretty sure they said a chlorinated pool was OK. I though they said it was OK to swim in the ocean as well. I guess I better get this straight before we go on vacation this summer because we go to the beach and swim in the Atlantic as well as go to some waterparks!

[dh514]

I was told no baths, no hot tub, no lakes, it was OK to swim in the ocean (I am in Tennessee) I was told that after the first six weeks it was OK to shower with it uncovered but I keep it covered always. I was also told that all I needed to cover with after the first six weeks was a 1x1 but I still put the 3x4 over the 1x1.

[rookiegirl]

For what it's worth, and we're in Ireland, Mum's been advised to shower with her TenchKoff uncovered, BUT to allow the shower to run very hot for about a minute before using it... Appearantly, water can stagnate in the shower head, and gather all kinds of bacteria... So it's strongly advised to give the shower a quick hot flush first...

Darth...

Once a week, I soak the shower head in water/clorox mix for 15 minutes to avoid bacteria.  This is what my Neph recommended to do monthly, but I did it weekly.  When we traveled, we did the same thing in our rented beach house last summer.

[Wattle]

I shower with the exit site uncovered. I wash the area with an antibacterial soap and dry it with its own little towel. NO BATHS ALLOWED.

Swimming in a clean ocean beach is O.K but the site MUST be covered with a waterproof dressing. Private pools are O.K too, but I avoid it if all the kids are in there too. You know how kids are and getting out of the pool to pee. eewww

I have been to a Water Park with my kids and gone on the rides. The sheer pleasure my kids got out of me on the rides with them was well worth the risk. I was very careful. Applied about three waterproof dressings, kept an eye on the site and didn't linger in the pools. All was O.K.

I too am a "Poster Child" lol I have never had an infection!      Go me   

[Darthvadar]

Once a week, I soak the shower head in water/clorox mix for 15 minutes to avoid bacteria.  This is what my Neph recommended to do monthly, but I did it weekly.  When we traveled, we did the same thing in our rented beach house last summer.

Rookie, that's a brilliant idea... Thanks for that!...

Darth...

[mikey07840]

Here is what I was told:

Showers OK uncovered.
Baths not allowed.
Hot tub not allowed.
Swimming in ocean or swimming pool, allowed, cover with waterproof cover provided.
Swimming in lake or stream not allowed.

After swimming or bathing, clean exit site with except solution. Cover for comfort.

[Brightsky69]

My nurse was reluctant to even let me shower much less go swimming. My doc said since I was completely healed I don't even need to keep my exit site covered.
I shower with my belt covering my exit site and once I dry off I cover my exit site with gauze. I don't think I am gonna risk going swimming. Not with my luck.

[Darthvadar]

Probably wise, Brightsky...

Mum's a bit reluctant to 'rock the boat', too...

But they're certain that her Peretonitis didn't come from outsude of her body... They think it came from her Diverticular Disease... Worrying in one way, but reassuring in another... At least she knows that it's NOT her fault!...

God bless...

Darth...

[Savemeimdtba]

I'm allowed to shower, swim in the ocean (if it hasn't been storming) and swim in a privately owned pool.

I went in the pool for the first time the other day - it was great!  I'd love to go to a water park.. but I'm too worried to risk it. 

[MiSSis]

My doctor's instructions for bathing and swimming pretty much agree with most of the responses here.  Showering without a bandage is okay although I do clean and bandage immediately after my shower.  No tub baths or hot tubs allowed.  Swimming in chlorinated pools (preferably private pools) is okay as long as my site is covered with a tegaderm.  I've been in only a couple of public pools in the 5 1/2 years that I've been back on PD.  I'm not a big swimmer and only venture in when it's really hot but I don't get in if there are small children or babies or animals (we have some friends who like to bring their dog along to swimming parties, ugh).  I do not trust the swim diapers!  I get so nervous that it just isn't worth it to me.  Always after I've been in the water, as soon as I get out I go and check my bandage and if there's been any water seepage I clean my site and apply a fresh dressing or tegaderm.

Lakes and rivers are no-no's and I guess I'd be allowed to go in the ocean but I don't have any desire to.  I don't like salt water and besides, who knows what's floating around out there! 

I have company coming to visit in about a week.  My twin brother is coming from Myrtle Beach, SC and his two daughters are driving up from TX with their two little boys.  One is 1 yr old and the other is 2.  We bought a small 10' pool for their use while they're here and our neighbors have also offered us the use of their larger backyard pools but I'm pretty sure I'll be watching from the sidelines.  I think I'll tell them I'll be in charge of the camera and can't get wet.  But it's really that diaper thing again...I just don't want to take any chances.

[Savemeimdtba]

I see people mentioning Tegaderms.. what is that and where do I get some?  Does that keep water from seeping onto the exit site 'cause that'd be great!  My nurse just tells me to use my regular 4x4 island dressing (which gets soaked) and then change it after. 

[Wattle]

I see people mentioning Tegaderms.. what is that and where do I get some?  Does that keep water from seeping onto the exit site 'cause that'd be great!  My nurse just tells me to use my regular 4x4 island dressing (which gets soaked) and then change it after.

Tegaderm is a waterproof dressing. They work very well. I have used them in the ocean, private pools and even once at a Water park with my kids. The have not leaked once! I must admit I use three over the site to be "safe" but it has stayed completely dry.

They are sold in Chemist shops here. I am unsure where you would purchase them in the US, maybe ask your clinic.

[MiSSis]

Tegaderms are waterproof dressings made by 3M.  In the hospital they use small ones to cover an IV site and at my unit they used them to cover my shoulder access that they used for hemo until my PD catheter was ready to be used.  Several years ago I bought 10 - 6"x 8" tegaderms at a local medical supply store and paid dearly for them ...about $8.00 each at the time.  Just recently I was in the market for some more so I went on-line to see if I could find them cheaper. I found them at Express Medical Supply (www.exmed.net) and got a package of 10 for 49.00.  I ordered a box of 12 rolls of 3M micropore tape at the same time and the total for shipping was $16.87.  I was getting ready to go on vacation and I'm pretty sure I paid extra for 2nd day shipping which is why that's so high.  I'm sure the shipping and handling cost is less if you don't need it right away like I did.

By using the large 6"x8" tegaderm, I can completely cover my catheter as well as the dressing I place over it.  Although I've had a few instances where the dressing got slightly damp, it's usually remained dry.  As soon as I've finished in the water I do get out and do a dressing change just to make sure my site is kept nice and clean. 

[Hanify]

My renal nurse sent me out some.  Yes, I use at least two - I wonder why someone doesn't make a bigger one?

[lodisweetthing]

  rodney's rules for shower is pretty simple close to your new zealand..bandge off wash with choice of soap everywhere but site we are to use dial or antibiotic soap around site with his hand. after shower dry with paper towel and out on his bactraban cream which we use everyday.his site is covered all the time with a bandage.he is allowed to swim in the ocean do to saly content kills bacteria,, no bath,pool,hot tubs ever..there is a option the nurse told us we can buy colostomy bags and use around site tucking transfer set in the bag,it will seal aroung the skin ,,water tite ..we could use this for bath or swimming in lakes or pools..bad part bags are aroun 35 dollars each .... ouch....hope someone can use this info

[aharris2]

(From our wound care days, not a pd catheter site but the reasons may shed some light and they are empowering...)

We were told that hot tubs are a great place to pick up pseudomonas, so stay away!

The ocean was okay (and even encouraged) for the antiseptic property of the salt.

Fresh water was forbidden and the doctor waffled about chlorinated pools public or private, probably concerned because there are too many variables regarding behavior and usage. 

[Ken Shelmerdine]

I was told to shower with the dressing on and change immediataly after. Swim only in fully sanitised swimming pools with dressing on or off. Last year we went to one of the Canary Islands and I swam in the private pool of the friends we were staying which was tested everyday. I only dressed the exit site during the two weeks with a small band aid.

One week after we arrived home I got peritonitis. So I would say keep it covered 24/7 and no swimming.