has anyone had any success in finding shower shields? i’ve been making my own out of saran wrap and a sandwich bag but lately it’s not working and my dressing is getting wet
i just can’t afford $99 on amazon for a 12 pack
if anyone can send me a link or let me know how you shower without getting your dressings wet it would be much appreciated
(i have a central venous catheter coming out of my chest)
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renalrose
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Hi renalrose, have you tried tatto dressings? The clear tape is like a cheaper tegaderm dressing and the trick is to cover the catheter right up to your neck line. It works for me, I also use tape to secure the catheter first. I'm in UK but they should have something similar:
Have you tried doing a sponge bath on the upper half of your body and using a handheld showerhead on you lower half? I also had my husband wash my hair in the kitchen sink with the sprayer head when I had a temporary catheter while my fistula rested after a total clog. It is very, very dangerous to shower with a chest catheter - you risk getting a blood infection straight to your heart! It's a lot safer to have a fistula or graft put in.
i usually wrap everything up right to my next line. my nurses said it’s okay to shower as long as it’s before dialysis and my doctor does not want to have a fistula as dialysis is only temporary. i should be getting my transplant this year
You could try using silicone tape. That works pretty well in the shower and is waterproof. Micropore S tape works a little better and keeps the water out, but it's pricey. I used to use LotFancy silcone tape from amazon, but you can't move too much until you dry off.
I found some transparent dressing that work well, and they are reasonable in price. The brand I use is Ealion. LOOk it up on Amazon. I use a 4x5 dressing for fir my PD site. It is like sticky Saran wrap.
IF a sticky transparent dressing would be safe for your chest catheter , try Elion transparent dressing in a size suitable for you. I use 4x 4.75 for my pd cath and it keeps it dry in the shower. It runs about $22 for a box of 50 for me. It's on Amazon.
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