Sore exit site ..help!

[KICKSTART]

I have had my PD catheter in for 2 yrs without problem , till now! It started about a week ago with a tiny area being sore ( i thought i may have been overactive and it had rubbed) but when i started changing my dressings a build up of fluids? had formed a lumpy scab , difficult to describe, however when i cleaned my site ,the scab just wiped away and the area underneath bled slightly. I have been using a combination of Betadine , normasol (saline fluid) and putting Bactroban on each time.Every time i cleaned it the scab would re-appear, but today while sat, my exit site was stinging badly , so i went to check it and have found under todays lumpy scab a tiny (ish) lump of proud flesh , thats is raw looking and very sore. I dont think its the sort they mention that can grow around your exit site , it looks more like its pushing through from inside the site ? I am due at the hospital in a couple of days so will get it checked out , but wondered if anyone else had this happen? I have no pain threshold at the moment and am really worrying that they will want to poke and prod it or worse still try to burn it off. It is way to sore to touch so dont know how i will handle that . Any suggestions ?

[goofynina]

That sounds alot like what was happening to me when i used to dress it.  I took it upon myself to just one day leave it uncovered and let the air hit it (thank goodness i dont have kids) lol,   Well, after it dried up, i never dressed it again.  Once in awhile i will get a scab around it but it does come off in the shower when i wash it with antibacterial soap.  I am not telling you not to dress it, i am just telling you how i dealt with it   (wouldnt want your nurse to be mad at me)  Good luck and keep me posted please   

[KICKSTART]

Thanks Gn  just a bit concerned about the lump thats starting to appear , not what i would call 'granulation' looks more like its peeking out from the inside and bloody sore!! I kept thinking that every time i cleaned it i was knocking the scab of so how would it have chance to heal . I will contact the unit if i need to before , but otherwise there for a check-up during the week , so will let them have a look at it ..as long as they DONT touch 

[carolyn77531]

Jessica has been having problems with also...i get it start looking good....then it seems to get red again...the nurses check it.......they don't seem worried......sometimes the Bernadine makes it irritate also...sometimes i have to put a dry dressing on it

[Sluff]

I'll be praying that your site heals quickly.

[Chicken Little]

That sounds like an infection.      I've had the fleshy wound under the scab with infected toenails.  I'd call your PD center. 

[rimbo74]

My exit site is always red around the tube and I get the crusty scab around it frequently.  Sometimes it does get sore as well, but the pain usually goes away in a couple of days.  My guess is that its caused from moving around a lot, pulling on the tube, or something of that nature.  Hope its not an infection.  My PD nurse doesn't seemed worried about it.

[KICKSTART]

Thanks for your comments guys I dont think its an infection as it looks clean , no discharge or anything and no other problems. Will let you know outcome after clinic . If it is an infection , how do they treat it ? antibiotics?

[anja]

 If my site is excessively red I dose it a couple of days with bacitracin ointment on a Q-tip and keep it covered with a band-aid or gauze.  That usually does the trick.  Glad you will be going for a check-up soon.

[KICKSTART]

I have been using Bactroban for a week now and always have my site covered (we are told this at our unit) To me it looks like it needs a powder to dry it up , i think the cream is keeping it from healing. At the unit 2moro so will know for sure and post the results , thanks for all your help guys

[anja]

Just goes to show you we are not all trained the same.  I leave my site uncovered and get along wonderfully.  I actually rub on the antibacterial foam soap and leave it there while I brush my teeth then gently rub with a wet washcloth to remove the soap residue then use a dry washcloth with some pressure to rub it dry and remove any scabs or crusts.  I cannot use the tape on a regular basis as I get blisters.  Good luck, hope the unit  helps you get it healed and over being painful!

[KICKSTART]

Just goes to show you we are not all trained the same.  I leave my site uncovered and get along wonderfully.  I actually rub on the antibacterial foam soap and leave it there while I brush my teeth then gently rub with a wet washcloth to remove the soap residue then use a dry washcloth with some pressure to rub it dry and remove any scabs or crusts.  I cannot use the tape on a regular basis as I get blisters.  Good luck, hope the unit  helps you get it healed and over being painful!

Interesting as i have been taught to use an almost 'sterile' procedure to clean my exit site , eg using sterile dressing packs , scrub up and spray hands ,disinfect everything, clean with sterile water or Betadine and dress with a sterile dressing! To me what YOU do makes sense as my site never gets wet or gets any air to it !

[KICKSTART]

UPDATE ..thanks for all your help guys , had my site checked out and a swab taken, although they dont think its an infection (they think its trauma) i have got a course of anti-biotics and an antibiotic cleanser to use , just to be on the safe side ..phew , so glad thats sorted ! 

[nextnoel]

KS, glad to hear you're on the mend!

[goofynina]

UPDATE ..thanks for all your help guys , had my site checked out and a swab taken, although they dont think its an infection (they think its trauma) i have got a course of anti-biotics and an antibiotic cleanser to use , just to be on the safe side ..phew , so glad thats sorted ! 

Right on Right on!!  Thanks for keeping us updated KickStart,  Whew is right