In a battle between my skin and my PICC line my PICC wins hands down. It is funny actually since my skin isn't particular sensitive to anything else. I have never had a sensitivity to creams or lotions or detergent, but I apparently am very sensitive to adhesives. So after trying a new adhesive that is specially made for people with allergies to adhesive, I still got a reaction.
I have had my PICC two weeks now and we only had the adhesive on my skin for a few days before I started reacting. In order to try to let my skin heal we wrapped my arm in gauze for about a week. The problem was my skin was weeping through the gauze. Because of the excessive weeping we are trying duoderm (which is like fake skin) and then putting the tegaderm (tape) on the duoderm so it is still protecting my PICC, but not touching my skin. Here are the results:
At this point I am not sure what to do. My skin isn't getting better and is pretty painful and I don't think it will improve until I pull the PICC, but my lung function isn't where I want it to be. At this point I am considering pulling the PICC Monday and if my lungs are still bad trying for another in the other arm or waiting for my skin to heal more and trying again.
My goodness!! My arm had lots of problems with the tape but never like this... my chest has done much better with tape, thank goodness for ports!! I use the clear tagaderm I can go look at one to get the name of it but it's just clear no white at all cause the while is what makes me red, itchy and blistery even on my chest it did that. Try that tape... also make sure the alcohol and what not is 100% dry when you put it on. Once mine wasn't and the next day it was red and irritated. I sure hope you guys figure this out, it looks incredibly painful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, if you have the name I would love to know. I have a feeling I am allergic to ALL adhesive at this point. It really is insane because my first 5 (ish) PICC lines were all fine and then I started getting reactions. They became more and more severe with each line. I am actually going to talk to my doc about ports this Monday.
DeleteOh you poor thing! You'd think this day and age they'd have figured out something better to tape your skin with. I haven't had problems with the tape but with excessive bruising in the past.
ReplyDeleteI really hope the IVs work and you start to feel much better and are able to put this behind you. I totally know how you feel about getting knocked down so quickly with the sickness. The day I got out of the hospital I thought I was going to pass out just walking to the car! Before I was pushing a double stroller up hills with no problem at all. I sucks but after some time you will get it back.
I also can't believe what a screw up you PICC line insertion was. That is just horrible that you had to go through that. I was wondering how just a nurse could put a pick in? Here we go staight to radiology and have a radiologist put it in every time. I'm nervous enough having the experienced radiologist put it in I couldn't even imagine a resident!!
Wishing you good PICC and lung function vibes. xx
It is funny because my nurse just said the same thing, they should be able to figure out something that wouldn't cause a reaction. She said that reactions seem to be getting pretty common and she can't figure out why a good alternative hasn't be made.
DeleteWe have PICC nurses that specialize in placing PICCs. They do a great job, but don't have the imaging like radiology does so when you veins get really bad and the ultrasound isn't enough they send you to radiology which is significantly more expensive. I would have preferred a PICC nurse over a resident!
I am glad you are feeling better and I know that I will too, but I am feeling very impatient to get back to my life!
I ended up here because I am having problems with my PICC line. This post is for anyone having the type of reaction above. I am a registered nurse, get immediate emergency medical attention if your arm looks like that.Anyone having this kind of reaction needs to call their physician immediately. Bypass your nurse this is a medical emergency. If you cannot get a hold of your doctor,go to the ER.This line extends up into your chest right next to your heart. Any bacteria can then travel up the line and you can get endocarditis an infection of the heart. I am an RN I should know. I just had to have a PICC line inserted on Wednesday to receive IV antibiotics. I started having a reaction since my nurse changed the dressing yesterday. At first I thought I was imagining it however I am not and will be calling her first thing in the am to change the dressing and remove whatever she used to cleanse my skin yesterday. The itching is beyond horrific and I am not going to wait until my arm looks like that.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that this reaction is not normal and not something to take lightly. However, with my condition I can not survive without IV meds and my cf doctors, nurses, and PICC nurses were all aware of what is going on. I got checked daily and they were keeping a close eye on it.
DeleteSince this post I have gotten a port, but still have serious adverse reactions to all adhesive despite getting input from wound specialists, dermatologists, burn nurses, and PICC nurses. I agree though that this type of reaction is serious and needs to be closely monitored!