Has anyone bought a picc line cover that they use for showering? What was your experience with this?
I looked on the internet and noticed that there are also covers made for picc lines to cover them when wearing short sleeves. Has anyone bought one of these before?
I am getting a picc line in the not too distant future and figured I should get a little ahead and got whatever I need now to avoid confusion later. Not to mention I am a little nervous about it so I tend to want to overcompensate for that by trying to prepare in advance!
Do you have to cover the arm at all when you sleep at night?
Thanks!
-David
-------------------- Same nightmare, different day! Posts: 401 | From East Coast | Registered: Nov 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
You can use a plastic newspaper bag and rubberband it at the top and bottom!!!
if you don't want to buy one!*)!*)!
as a regular picc line cover you can use a tube sock with hole cut out at bottom!!! just to cover and keep warm*)!*!! best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
Hi David - I did the same thing before I got my PICC line - tried to be prepared and I'm glad I did that.
I ended up buying a PICC protector from Xerosox. They changed their name to drypro recently. I had heard about the product from other people who liked it.
For me, it has never been totally waterproof, but I think it is because my forearm is so bony. You can trim each end to get a good fit. I tend to sweat under it if I am in a hot bath or shower, but I usually have my sock over the picc line underneath the cover and that helps protect it even more.
Lately, I just use the sock cover and tape a washcloth over that to use in the bath (not shower). I rather soak and just wash my hair under the faucet (one handed).
When out and about I have used the self sticking bandages that you can get at the drug store. Someone also mentioned "vet wraps" that come in different colors - you can get at a tack shop. Or, I just use the cut off sock. I actually use 2 sock pieces. One cradles the extension line and the other covers the picc area.
I almost always have the sock covers on, and will add the wrap if I feel I need extra protection (like when at the gym or horseback riding). At night, I just use the socks now. I used to wrap it at night in the beginning because it supported the area better and kept me from being sore or "feeling" it at night.
I hope this helps! Being prepared was a good thing for me, so don't knock yourself for doing that....
Robin
Posts: 276 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2006
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
When showering I used a vet's gynecological glove and rubberbanded it at the top. Very cheap. You can buy them at Farm and Fleet or Tractor Supply or call a local vet.
My second company that sent the drugs sent a picc line cover for the daytime just so I wouldn't snag it, but before that I cut up a tube sock and used it. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8880 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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ArtistDi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2297
posted
Actually, I have had a lot of success with a cast cover. It is like a long mitten which goes over the hand and over the upper arm. It is tight around the top so you can shower with ease. I even use it to go into pools, but please don't swim with it!
I just wade around and cool off.
Di
Posts: 1567 | From Hatfield, MA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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