Bandages/dressing/tape on perma cath site

[hillary]

So... I'm getting used to my perma cath and dialysis, but every other day when I go, they change the dressing and my skin is being torn to shreds from them ripping off the tape and replacing it in the same areas.   Is anyone else going through this? How can it be avoided?  I know the wound has to be completely covered 24/7 but I am actually in a lot of pain from my broken skin.

[adairpete]

See if they can use different tape.  I am allergic to almost all medical tape, the only thing doesn't give me hives is MeFix, which is a lot more gentle on the skin to peel on and off.  It sticks well, but only once, meaning if it comes up or when I would peek at my catheter (cause I would swear it was bleeding), it doesn't re-stick that well.  I would just use another piece of MeFix to patch it up. 

[Simon Dog]

Another option is to ask the clinic to use a tegaderm+gauze rather than an island dressing.   Some clinics do this on request but, due to cost (about $1 for a tegaderm vs a few cents for an island dressing), other clinics will do it only with an MDs order.   The clinic I use requires an MD's order, but it was easy to get once I emailed my doc to tell him it was red and itching under the bandage.

Good luck.

[hillary]

THANKS