The elderly have drier, more fragile skin to start with and I think
the skin just gets more sensitive over time as we are continually
stripping it of skin oils with every dressing change.
Try applying an alcohol free skin protectant after the antiseptic
prep has dried thoroughly.
- Do not apply the skin protectant directly to the insertion
site or to the catheter material.
- Be sure the skin protectant is thoroughly dry before applying
the dressing.
- Be sure the dressing does not get stretched at all when
applied.
There are two alcohol free skin protectants available:
Cavilon No Sting by 3M or NoSting - by Smith and Nephew
The 3M product dries much more quickly and I prefer it for most
situations.
You have to be very patient waiting for the Smith and Nephew
NoSting to dry, but it is probably a bit better if the skin is very
irritated to start with.
/Martha
On Apr 11, 2006, at 9:09 PM, Maria Kostylo wrote:
Hi All,
We're seeing patients in our SNF unit that develop rashes under
their PICC site dressings weeks and/or months after it's been
inserted. Our ID nurse is sure it's contact dermatitis. We do
weekly (and prn) dressing changes using Chloraprep, Biopatch and
TSM. It is the IV therapists doing the dressing changes, and they
assure me the prep is completely dry before they apply the
dressings. Do you think the patients just develop a cumulative
sensitivity to CHG? I know some of my nurses have had to switch
to a different soap because they're developing skin irritations r/
t frequent handwashing with CHG.
Thanks, Maria
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