Just wondering---are you SURE it is an ALLERGY to Chlorohexadine AND the tegaderm? If you are seeing a small red rash in the area prepped by the Chloroprep, it may be just that the chloroprep was NOT truly DRY before adding the tegaderm or any TSM dressing. This is a common occurance. The best way to treat would be to be sure staff is watching the clock for a full 30 seconds, and seeing that the skin is dry before adding the dressing.
Site preps such as 3Ms and others that prep the site after cleansing with chloroprep are a great barrier, and skin protectant. Sometimes the glue of the TSM dressing is the irritatant, and that is NOT an allergy, just an irritation, easily treated by using a skin protectant and LETTING IT DRY COMPLETELY, again watch the clock for 30-60 full seconds before applying TSM dressing.
Many times nurses are in a hurry and do not let things dry well, singing "row, row, row your boat" 4x works well also.
Until the rash/irritation clears, your best bet would be gauze and tape dressings Q24-48 hours, depending on your facility protocol. After it clears and you resume TSM dressings, do not change any more frequently than Q7 days unless loosened. Sometimes the tearing off of the dressing too frequently is the cause of the irritation, and not even the dressing itself. Again, skin prep will help that also.
Chris Cavanaugh, CRNI
----- Original Message -----
From: Duryea Tracy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Monday, May 1, 2006 1:29 pm
Subject: allergy to chlohexadine and occlusive dressing
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Hi, all,
>
> We have a patient with a tunned "power line" who seems to be
> allergic to both chlorhexadine and the "tegaderm" occlusive
> dressing, preventing even the use of biopatch. What is being done
> elsewhere? What are the alternatives and how often should we
&!
gt; chang
