adhesive allergy with a PICC line

[ej0820]

Hey all!

Just want to know if any of you out there are EXTREMELY allergic to adhesives? I got a PICC line in about a week ago. The radiologist put tegaderm over my site, as per usual. I am usually able to grin and bear it for the duration of my PICC. Not so much this time. The night following the placement, I asked for some benadryl b/c the itching was bugging me more than it usually does. The nurse gave me some and it seems like it just knocks me out more than it helps with itching. The dressing change the next day went crappy. The nurse tried Duoderm, to alleviate some of the allergy. It was even worse than the tegaderm and shortly after the dressing change, I asked for another. They tried rubber foam tape and that was just as bad. Then out of sheer annoyance of constant dressing changes, I just asked for a piece of Hypafix tape over the site, then tegaderm over that. They used a Kendall Preppie wipe (barrier wipe) before the tegaderm, and it ALMOST made it bearable to my next dressing change.

My next dressing change happened today. Badly. First of all, the nurse that came to my house to do it was NOT using any kind of sterile technique at all (would you drop something on the floor, pick it up with your sterile gloves on, and then continue working on an open PICC site like nothing just happened??). I mentioned I was having trouble with tegaderm and he simply said, "well that's what the dr ordered for your dressing." and slapped it on there (literally...this guy had me so mad). Within hours, I was in tears because of how irritated and itchy my arm and site were. Finally I got a hold of another nurse to come out and again change my dressing with something else.

The new nurse came late in the evening and upon taking the tegaderm off to redo the dressing, my arm and site broke out into little hives and blisters. We had no choice but to cover it back up with the new dressing (IV 3000). He also used a different barrier wipe. The dressing itself doesn't seem too bad (yet) but my arm is on fire. It stings, burns and itches.

Has anyone had an adhesive nightmare like this? What do you do/use? How is IV 3000 in comparison to tegaderm/duoderm/etc.? My insulin pump has given me problems, too, which was solved with barrier wipes (I've gone through 4 different brands, a single brand tends to wear off and no longer help after a few months of continual use) and a different infusion set, but these barrier wipes aren't as sterile as one needs for a PICC line. Like I said, I've been taking benadryl, but I only notice it helping for about 1 out of 5 hours. The other 4 hours, I'm out like a light. Plus, I've been off and on so much benadryl in the last several days that I've got a massive benadryl hangover and feel like a zombie. That being said, I have NO idea if my IVs are making me feel any better because these other issues are too much! Is there ANY relief for increasingly bad adhesive reactions??

How will I ever handle a port if/when the time comes...the adhesive on that is forever! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

ANY help would be great, sorry it's such a long post (it's half question, half rant), but I'm miserable!

 

[ej0820]

Hey all!

Just want to know if any of you out there are EXTREMELY allergic to adhesives? I got a PICC line in about a week ago. The radiologist put tegaderm over my site, as per usual. I am usually able to grin and bear it for the duration of my PICC. Not so much this time. The night following the placement, I asked for some benadryl b/c the itching was bugging me more than it usually does. The nurse gave me some and it seems like it just knocks me out more than it helps with itching. The dressing change the next day went crappy. The nurse tried Duoderm, to alleviate some of the allergy. It was even worse than the tegaderm and shortly after the dressing change, I asked for another. They tried rubber foam tape and that was just as bad. Then out of sheer annoyance of constant dressing changes, I just asked for a piece of Hypafix tape over the site, then tegaderm over that. They used a Kendall Preppie wipe (barrier wipe) before the tegaderm, and it ALMOST made it bearable to my next dressing change.

My next dressing change happened today. Badly. First of all, the nurse that came to my house to do it was NOT using any kind of sterile technique at all (would you drop something on the floor, pick it up with your sterile gloves on, and then continue working on an open PICC site like nothing just happened??). I mentioned I was having trouble with tegaderm and he simply said, "well that's what the dr ordered for your dressing." and slapped it on there (literally...this guy had me so mad). Within hours, I was in tears because of how irritated and itchy my arm and site were. Finally I got a hold of another nurse to come out and again change my dressing with something else.

The new nurse came late in the evening and upon taking the tegaderm off to redo the dressing, my arm and site broke out into little hives and blisters. We had no choice but to cover it back up with the new dressing (IV 3000). He also used a different barrier wipe. The dressing itself doesn't seem too bad (yet) but my arm is on fire. It stings, burns and itches.

Has anyone had an adhesive nightmare like this? What do you do/use? How is IV 3000 in comparison to tegaderm/duoderm/etc.? My insulin pump has given me problems, too, which was solved with barrier wipes (I've gone through 4 different brands, a single brand tends to wear off and no longer help after a few months of continual use) and a different infusion set, but these barrier wipes aren't as sterile as one needs for a PICC line. Like I said, I've been taking benadryl, but I only notice it helping for about 1 out of 5 hours. The other 4 hours, I'm out like a light. Plus, I've been off and on so much benadryl in the last several days that I've got a massive benadryl hangover and feel like a zombie. That being said, I have NO idea if my IVs are making me feel any better because these other issues are too much! Is there ANY relief for increasingly bad adhesive reactions??

How will I ever handle a port if/when the time comes...the adhesive on that is forever! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

ANY help would be great, sorry it's such a long post (it's half question, half rant), but I'm miserable!

 

[ej0820]

Hey all!
<br />
<br />Just want to know if any of you out there are EXTREMELY allergic to adhesives? I got a PICC line in about a week ago. The radiologist put tegaderm over my site, as per usual. I am usually able to grin and bear it for the duration of my PICC. Not so much this time. The night following the placement, I asked for some benadryl b/c the itching was bugging me more than it usually does. The nurse gave me some and it seems like it just knocks me out more than it helps with itching. The dressing change the next day went crappy. The nurse tried Duoderm, to alleviate some of the allergy. It was even worse than the tegaderm and shortly after the dressing change, I asked for another. They tried rubber foam tape and that was just as bad. Then out of sheer annoyance of constant dressing changes, I just asked for a piece of Hypafix tape over the site, then tegaderm over that. They used a Kendall Preppie wipe (barrier wipe) before the tegaderm, and it ALMOST made it bearable to my next dressing change.
<br />
<br />My next dressing change happened today. Badly. First of all, the nurse that came to my house to do it was NOT using any kind of sterile technique at all (would you drop something on the floor, pick it up with your sterile gloves on, and then continue working on an open PICC site like nothing just happened??). I mentioned I was having trouble with tegaderm and he simply said, "well that's what the dr ordered for your dressing." and slapped it on there (literally...this guy had me so mad). Within hours, I was in tears because of how irritated and itchy my arm and site were. Finally I got a hold of another nurse to come out and again change my dressing with something else.
<br />
<br />The new nurse came late in the evening and upon taking the tegaderm off to redo the dressing, my arm and site broke out into little hives and blisters. We had no choice but to cover it back up with the new dressing (IV 3000). He also used a different barrier wipe. The dressing itself doesn't seem too bad (yet) but my arm is on fire. It stings, burns and itches.
<br />
<br />Has anyone had an adhesive nightmare like this? What do you do/use? How is IV 3000 in comparison to tegaderm/duoderm/etc.? My insulin pump has given me problems, too, which was solved with barrier wipes (I've gone through 4 different brands, a single brand tends to wear off and no longer help after a few months of continual use) and a different infusion set, but these barrier wipes aren't as sterile as one needs for a PICC line. Like I said, I've been taking benadryl, but I only notice it helping for about 1 out of 5 hours. The other 4 hours, I'm out like a light. Plus, I've been off and on so much benadryl in the last several days that I've got a massive benadryl hangover and feel like a zombie. That being said, I have NO idea if my IVs are making me feel any better because these other issues are too much! Is there ANY relief for increasingly bad adhesive reactions??
<br />
<br />How will I ever handle a port if/when the time comes...the adhesive on that is forever! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />ANY help would be great, sorry it's such a long post (it's half question, half rant), but I'm miserable!

 

[entropy]

Wow, first of all I can't believe they're giving you benadryl. Any antihistamine will do nothing but wreak havoc on a person lungs who has CF! I mean, every once in a while taking an antihistamine won't be too bad... but taking it every 6 hrs... there has to be something else they can give you, maybe a steroid or something. It will indirectly decrease histamine levels, but it's not going to dry you out. But you have CFRD so sounds like you're in a tight spot... I feel for you. Last time I had a Picc line I had a similar issue with crazy itchiness and blotchy skin, drainage, etc. Also ended up getting a pulmonary embolism as a result of the Picc Line. No fun. They gave me cortisone which didn't do much but helped a little bit. If anything they could at least give you something that will take away the itchiness.

Again, taking antihistamines with CF is some seriously risky business. I was in an inpatient setting with inexperienced nurses and they were giving me promethazine (phenergan), which I had a gut feeling was an antihistamine, even after I told them I couldn't take antihistamines. Long story short, over the course of a few days my condition deteriorated until I had a collapsed lung and full blown double pneumonia and was taking to the ER, intubated and sedated for almost 2 weeks. Then had another 2 weeks of IV/piccline antibiotics. While in the hospital I had dermatitis (aka the infamous redman syndrome) from taking vancomycin and one of the nighttime doctors was trying to push diphenhydramine on me which I absolutely refused to take.

I'd much rather deal with the itchiness and discomfort than take an antihistamine and turn my already sticky mucous into tar.

 

[entropy]

Wow, first of all I can't believe they're giving you benadryl. Any antihistamine will do nothing but wreak havoc on a person lungs who has CF! I mean, every once in a while taking an antihistamine won't be too bad... but taking it every 6 hrs... there has to be something else they can give you, maybe a steroid or something. It will indirectly decrease histamine levels, but it's not going to dry you out. But you have CFRD so sounds like you're in a tight spot... I feel for you. Last time I had a Picc line I had a similar issue with crazy itchiness and blotchy skin, drainage, etc. Also ended up getting a pulmonary embolism as a result of the Picc Line. No fun. They gave me cortisone which didn't do much but helped a little bit. If anything they could at least give you something that will take away the itchiness.

Again, taking antihistamines with CF is some seriously risky business. I was in an inpatient setting with inexperienced nurses and they were giving me promethazine (phenergan), which I had a gut feeling was an antihistamine, even after I told them I couldn't take antihistamines. Long story short, over the course of a few days my condition deteriorated until I had a collapsed lung and full blown double pneumonia and was taking to the ER, intubated and sedated for almost 2 weeks. Then had another 2 weeks of IV/piccline antibiotics. While in the hospital I had dermatitis (aka the infamous redman syndrome) from taking vancomycin and one of the nighttime doctors was trying to push diphenhydramine on me which I absolutely refused to take.

I'd much rather deal with the itchiness and discomfort than take an antihistamine and turn my already sticky mucous into tar.

 

[entropy]

Wow, first of all I can't believe they're giving you benadryl. Any antihistamine will do nothing but wreak havoc on a person lungs who has CF! I mean, every once in a while taking an antihistamine won't be too bad... but taking it every 6 hrs... there has to be something else they can give you, maybe a steroid or something. It will indirectly decrease histamine levels, but it's not going to dry you out. But you have CFRD so sounds like you're in a tight spot... I feel for you. Last time I had a Picc line I had a similar issue with crazy itchiness and blotchy skin, drainage, etc. Also ended up getting a pulmonary embolism as a result of the Picc Line. No fun. They gave me cortisone which didn't do much but helped a little bit. If anything they could at least give you something that will take away the itchiness.
<br />
<br />Again, taking antihistamines with CF is some seriously risky business. I was in an inpatient setting with inexperienced nurses and they were giving me promethazine (phenergan), which I had a gut feeling was an antihistamine, even after I told them I couldn't take antihistamines. Long story short, over the course of a few days my condition deteriorated until I had a collapsed lung and full blown double pneumonia and was taking to the ER, intubated and sedated for almost 2 weeks. Then had another 2 weeks of IV/piccline antibiotics. While in the hospital I had dermatitis (aka the infamous redman syndrome) from taking vancomycin and one of the nighttime doctors was trying to push diphenhydramine on me which I absolutely refused to take.
<br />
<br />I'd much rather deal with the itchiness and discomfort than take an antihistamine and turn my already sticky mucous into tar.

 

[mag6125]

I use to have the same problem and we though I was allergic to tegaderm and other adhesives but it turns out I was allergic to the chloroprep they use to clean the site. My nurses in clinic have told me they found this to be more and more common lately. Maybe next time you have a dressing change or picc have them try using alcohol swabs and bedadine or even just the alcohol swabs to clean the area instead of the chloroprep. That's what I do now and I haven't had any more problems and am able to use tegaderms and have no problem. As for a port its the same as a picc, you only have a tegaderm on when its accessed for ivs and they change the dressing once a week. Hope this helps!

 

[mag6125]

I use to have the same problem and we though I was allergic to tegaderm and other adhesives but it turns out I was allergic to the chloroprep they use to clean the site. My nurses in clinic have told me they found this to be more and more common lately. Maybe next time you have a dressing change or picc have them try using alcohol swabs and bedadine or even just the alcohol swabs to clean the area instead of the chloroprep. That's what I do now and I haven't had any more problems and am able to use tegaderms and have no problem. As for a port its the same as a picc, you only have a tegaderm on when its accessed for ivs and they change the dressing once a week. Hope this helps!

 

[mag6125]

I use to have the same problem and we though I was allergic to tegaderm and other adhesives but it turns out I was allergic to the chloroprep they use to clean the site. My nurses in clinic have told me they found this to be more and more common lately. Maybe next time you have a dressing change or picc have them try using alcohol swabs and bedadine or even just the alcohol swabs to clean the area instead of the chloroprep. That's what I do now and I haven't had any more problems and am able to use tegaderms and have no problem. As for a port its the same as a picc, you only have a tegaderm on when its accessed for ivs and they change the dressing once a week. Hope this helps!

 

[randomgirl]

I'm also really allergic to either the tegaderm bandages or the bedadine...not sure which one. But it causes me to itch like crazy, even in my sleep. The last time I had a picc line with the tegaderm bandage and the bedadine, I ended up bleeding with lots of blisters. Now I never use bedadine for anything and instead of tegaderm, I get some other clear bandage thing...I forgot the name/term for it though.

 

[randomgirl]

I'm also really allergic to either the tegaderm bandages or the bedadine...not sure which one. But it causes me to itch like crazy, even in my sleep. The last time I had a picc line with the tegaderm bandage and the bedadine, I ended up bleeding with lots of blisters. Now I never use bedadine for anything and instead of tegaderm, I get some other clear bandage thing...I forgot the name/term for it though.

 

[randomgirl]

I'm also really allergic to either the tegaderm bandages or the bedadine...not sure which one. But it causes me to itch like crazy, even in my sleep. The last time I had a picc line with the tegaderm bandage and the bedadine, I ended up bleeding with lots of blisters. Now I never use bedadine for anything and instead of tegaderm, I get some other clear bandage thing...I forgot the name/term for it though.

 

[Jana]

That sounds rather miserable!

I always had some trouble with my PICC dressings, but not anything as bad as what you're describing. The only thing that helped a little bit was the nurses would rotate the dressing around each week as much as possible--turning them sideways, diagonal, and any other strange direction that would give a different part of my arm some rest.

Also, I have much less irritation with my port dressing. As someone mentioned above, it's still only when you're accessed, and my skin is not as sensitive there as on my arm.

Hope you find something to help!

 

[Jana]

That sounds rather miserable!

I always had some trouble with my PICC dressings, but not anything as bad as what you're describing. The only thing that helped a little bit was the nurses would rotate the dressing around each week as much as possible--turning them sideways, diagonal, and any other strange direction that would give a different part of my arm some rest.

Also, I have much less irritation with my port dressing. As someone mentioned above, it's still only when you're accessed, and my skin is not as sensitive there as on my arm.

Hope you find something to help!

 

[Jana]

That sounds rather miserable!
<br />
<br />I always had some trouble with my PICC dressings, but not anything as bad as what you're describing. The only thing that helped a little bit was the nurses would rotate the dressing around each week as much as possible--turning them sideways, diagonal, and any other strange direction that would give a different part of my arm some rest.
<br />
<br />Also, I have much less irritation with my port dressing. As someone mentioned above, it's still only when you're accessed, and my skin is not as sensitive there as on my arm.
<br />
<br />Hope you find something to help!

 

[TonyaH]

Erin,
I really feel for you. My son has similar reactions to dressing covers. He also reacts to chloraprep, and even alcohol swabs. IV 3000 seems to be the best of our choices, but he still has itchy bumps under his dressing that ooze from time to time. One thing he has noticed that provides some relief is to keep the site wrapped in an ace bandage. I guess the pressure keeps the itching tolerable enough to fall asleep. Our nurse said his reaction is one of the worst she has seen. I go crazy from a mosquito bite. I can't imagine how you two must feel. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

I agree with the others about the benadryl. I would question that as an option.

Good luck finding something that works for you!

 

[TonyaH]

Erin,
I really feel for you. My son has similar reactions to dressing covers. He also reacts to chloraprep, and even alcohol swabs. IV 3000 seems to be the best of our choices, but he still has itchy bumps under his dressing that ooze from time to time. One thing he has noticed that provides some relief is to keep the site wrapped in an ace bandage. I guess the pressure keeps the itching tolerable enough to fall asleep. Our nurse said his reaction is one of the worst she has seen. I go crazy from a mosquito bite. I can't imagine how you two must feel. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

I agree with the others about the benadryl. I would question that as an option.

Good luck finding something that works for you!

 

[TonyaH]

Erin,
<br />I really feel for you. My son has similar reactions to dressing covers. He also reacts to chloraprep, and even alcohol swabs. IV 3000 seems to be the best of our choices, but he still has itchy bumps under his dressing that ooze from time to time. One thing he has noticed that provides some relief is to keep the site wrapped in an ace bandage. I guess the pressure keeps the itching tolerable enough to fall asleep. Our nurse said his reaction is one of the worst she has seen. I go crazy from a mosquito bite. I can't imagine how you two must feel. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />I agree with the others about the benadryl. I would question that as an option.
<br />
<br />Good luck finding something that works for you!

 

[mag6125]

I know I already posted to this but I just want to say be careful to all of you who get these reactions. The last time I broke out with itchy/oozy bumps I ended up breaking out from my shoulder to my wrist and ended up with cellulitis because my picc incision site got infected. Keep asking your nurses/docs for new suggestions til you find something that works cuz you don't want to end up in the ER like I did!

 

[mag6125]

I know I already posted to this but I just want to say be careful to all of you who get these reactions. The last time I broke out with itchy/oozy bumps I ended up breaking out from my shoulder to my wrist and ended up with cellulitis because my picc incision site got infected. Keep asking your nurses/docs for new suggestions til you find something that works cuz you don't want to end up in the ER like I did!