Scabs?

[Savemeimdtba]

I've had my PD catheter for about 6 months now and I still get scabs over the exit site, is this normal?  I never let it breathe... and I probably should, do you think that would help?  I always keep an island dressing on it.. even in the shower, I just get out and change it immediately (which is taking a toll on the skin around the exit site too).  I'm just a bit scared of leaving nothing over it.. As soon as one scab falls off - another one forms, do you guys get scabs still?

[paul.karen]

Im new to it all but i take the cover (coverderm) off in the shower.  Water makes it easier to come off.  Then i wash the exit site last and i dont dry it.  I let it air dry. dont cover it for about a half hour till i get dressed for work.  I have had no scabs at all.

Not sure if im doing it right or wrong but it works and i think the site needs to breath.

[Hanify]

Yes  always get scabs.  They just reform then fall off.  As long as they are healthy it's ok.  Only worry if there's redness or swelling around the site.  I leave mine uncovered in the shower, then just let it dry before I put the wee cover on again.  Apparently some people don't cover it at all, ever!! 

[BETTY55111]

I keep mine covered all the time even when I shower. After the shower I quickly take the dressing off and clean and put a new one on. I sometimes have a scab.

[KICKSTART]

Hate to say this but over here  we are told to keep exit sites covered at all times and after 4 years i still got scabs ( i think what it is ..or was explained to me) is a tiny bit of fluid leaking out and then drying to form a scab.

[*kana*]

Ok, what I don't understand is why they have you leave a dressing on when you are showering?  Doesn't it get wet all the way thru anyhow?  I use a 2x2 guaze and skin friendly paper tape so maybe ya'll have something different that I don't know about that is water proof.   I always get scabs and like others have said they come off in the shower.  I was told to not use bar soap to clean my exit site, but liquid soup is ok.  If I get a stubborn one I just put antibiotic cream on it and it seems to melts off by the next day.