posted
I found keeping my picc line from swinging around was the best way to keep the site from being irritated.
When I had mine, the home health nurse came out once a week to do the dressing change, keeping it sterile and infections free. Then, she covered it with a Tegaderm. In the shower, I would take a garbage bag and wrap my whole arm in it. Wet picc lines are an infection waiting to happen.
As far as covering it, I just took one of my pairs of socks and cut the foot off. Then I just did a quick stitch to keep it from fraying, and put that over the hanging parts to keep it from swinging around.
It's another thing to think about, but worth the hassle to get the miediciens. The alternative...going to the doctor every day for an IV? Nothanks!
Goodluck!
-------------------- When given lyme make lymeade! A tick check a day keeps lyme away! [email protected] Raising awareness by creating as many lymebassadors as possible! Posts: 158 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
When i had my picc line, i used the socks also. I just cut off the toe part. I even got creative with it, you can find sock for holidays or your favorite sports team.
I figured if i had to have that thing in my arm i might as well have a little fun with showing it off.
I tried to find covers for it but did not have any luck.
For the shower i put a paper towel or wash cloth over the bandage part and then wrapped my arm with Press n seal wrap. Be sure not to get the Press n Seal on the bandage part, you do not want to pull anything loose, that is why i covered that area with the cloth or towel. This worked very well for me when i had the picc line for 8 weeks.
Hope that helps! We need to start a business for picc line covers.
Ang
Posts: 55 | From ohio | Registered: Aug 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Okie Dokie friend,
I am going to give you the BEST thing to use for showering:
Glad Cling Wrap.
Just wrap your tubing and insertion sight with this and you will not get wet. This works better than plastic bags or the picc protectors.
4 months and never a wet spot.
The soct with the foot cu out works well to keep all the tubing in one place. Just roll the tubing as you would a garden hose and fold up the sock (minus the foot) over it. Works like a charm.
Good luck kiddo, Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
correction: Press and Seal as the poster above suggested (sorry)
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I am sure some of those on PICC already know about this but for those who don't - I found that the Dry Pro PICC line sleeve works pretty well for keeping it dry. For those who will have a PICC line for a couple months - it makes sense. Its a bit expensive but after using bags, tape, saran wrap, etc. for a week and getting annoyed - I bought this.
Works well but can be a bit difficult to get on by yourself - especially if you have a sore arm from the placement but its certainly possible and has given me more autonomy with showers, etc. With someone else's help, its a breeze.
Make sure you buy the right size and cut to adjust carefully. You can't put material back on!
Here are the links with reviews and how to buy (to Amazon, Allegro (third party seller) and the manufacturer). If you buy from Amazon by clicking on the link on Lymenet - they will get some money so everyone wins! Amazon I think has small medium and large. The sizing instructions can be found on the Allegro or manufacturer site. Some of the reviews on the Allegro site are average but if you take your time - I think it will do its job.
I have no skin in the game here - just wanted to pass along what worked for me.
posted
For everyday covering, the cut off sock did not work too well for us, the cut ends unraveled and rolled, and the sock fabric tends to stick to shirts.
Creative solution - shinguard sleeves used to keep soccer shinguards in place - they fit over the upper arm pretty well, the fabric is designed to let other fabrics slide over it, and they are relatively cheap - about $10 a pair.
Posts: 263 | From Capital Region, NY, USA | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
For showering, I really love what my home infusion company sent me, something called MedGuard. My PICC sight is perfectly dry after a shower and my nurse was really impressed last week.
For everyday, instead of a plain sock, I'm using a pair of black opaque tights. You can find them cheap, I use maybe 1-2 per week and they don't unravel like socks do. They're also closer fitting so it's easier to wear sleeves over.
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
This came in handy!!! I will be getting a picc line in soon. Thanks Posts: 3 | From Gainesville, Va | Registered: Feb 2009
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
We use Glad Wrap with scotch tape around the ends to be sure no water drips in....works just great.
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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