posted
Hi! Anyone have any suggestions as to what's the best to cover a port dressing while bathing?? No matter what I try it gets wet! Thanks!
Posts: 57 | From Tampa, FL | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Hi, is the port in your arm? My son had a picc line in his upper arm. We bought vetenarian exam gloves on line. That way he only had to tape one end shut. They were about $10/100 gloves.
Posts: 64 | From MA | Registered: Mar 2006
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No matter what I did, my dressing got wet. PLus, I was very active when I had my port and was sweating a lot. All that moisture eventualy caused an infection that took me to the ER.
We finally came to the conclusion that I would change the dressing everyday myself, against the wishes of my home care company. My nurse rocked though, she helped me get some extra supplies, etc. That was the best solution for me.
Posts: 60 | From Ohio | Registered: Sep 2003
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arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
I have a port-a-cath and I use Aqua Guard with Glad Press 'n Seal underneath it so I have a double cover.
I get the 7" X 7" Aqua Guards and I haven't found that the spray guard is all that important (when you go to the website you'll see what they are) but I got the ones with the spray guard for a long time.
This works pretty well for me but I still use a handheld sprayer instead of standing under the constant stream of water that can't be controlled as well. And once or twice a week I de-access and get a "real" shower or bath.
posted
when accessed, I just wash my hair bent over the tub, and tub bathe...Haven't done anything else in 1.5 yrs.
Posts: 663 | From NH USA | Registered: Sep 2004
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This may take a little extra time but it works. The best thing I found is to take saran wrap or a good cling plastic wrap. Rip just enough to cover the area and tape it on top and along the sides.
Make sure you don't get the tape on the tagaderm which covers the needle.
Just be careful if you try to bend over so water doesn't leak under it. This is the only thing I have figured out so I can take a shower and feel clean.
Takes a while to do but is well worth it to me.
Good luck.
Posts: 139 | From nj | Registered: Mar 2005
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Hi, I just used a large zip-lock bag- cut the closed end open a little so it would slide over my arm then put rubber bands around both ends.
I had a mid-line port (in my elbow) and this was cheap, worked well and I could do it myself with my other arm == Good luck!
Posts: 44 | From Northeastern Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Hi, I just used a large zip-lock bag- cut the closed end open a little so it would slide over my arm then put rubber bands around both ends.
I had a mid-line port (in my elbow) and this was cheap, worked well and I could do it myself with my other arm == Good luck!
Posts: 44 | From Northeastern Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2005
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arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
Just a note that generally when an IV line is referred to as a "port" it's in the chest. So while the suggestions of how to cover arm lines are great, they probably don't apply to this particular case (unless ccallah5 didn't mean to refer to it as a port).
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