Some of you may have allergies to the tape used for bandaging after each dialysis…prolong use of the allergic tape may cause skin damage or injury causing access problems…
One way to solve this probelm is to use veterinary wrap, made for our small companions 
but also works well for us BIG companions…doesn’t stick to skin nor hair…just warps nicely holding bandages in place…works same fashion as velcro but more gentle on the arm…
I’m having a terrible time with reactions from the tape and needles, and yes it is affecting my buttonholes due to the inflammation, “hives” etc. So can you wrap this yourself or do you need help and second where do you get it, I’d love to give it a try.
All you do is cut the strips you need and wrap it around, I’ve tried it myself without extra help…
You can purchase this at…
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002V47L0/qid=1117385544/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-2071819-1771107?v=glance&s=sporting-goods&n=507846
Am sure doing daily dialysis or Nocturnal will make this problem common…
I have seen this type vet. wrap used in-center with other patients. It is wrapped all the way around the arm. I don’t think that is a good idea as could cut off blood flow to access.
I have had the best success with sterile gauze & paper tape. I remove the dressing within an hour or two and have never had a problem. The dressings can be made ahead of time so there is no problem trying to make them when coming off the tx.
I have never liked silk tape as it sticks too tightly and can cause an accident when pulling needles. I’ve also tried using bandaids and find they also stick too tightly and I am allergic to certain types.
I think if not wrapped around too tight they work very well…other alternative might be the plain cotton bandage…I’ve seen some people use Saran Wrap with regular tape over that…Most people usually have that in the kitchen and is most convenient to use…
Or even these…
P.B.T.
My husband had alot of problem with tape also. He has been using one that is from Japan. it is called Ikki ban.
the adhesive is some type of gel, and it is working great. it stays on well, and doesn’t leave rashes with itchiness at all. The hospital only supply one roll for 2 months, which isn’t enough. So we by it from the distributor ourselves. I am not sure if you can get it in America, as we are in Australia.
Just a thought.
Queenie
:idea:
Hey, that’s great, can you provide the address of the distrubitor? I might want to try some muself…
P.S. After each dialysis I also put a tiny bit of Neosporin to give further protection against infection…
Would you believe I am also apparently somewhat allergic/sensitive to antibacterials and they started breaking down my skin. I look a mess from all my reactions to tape and my attempts to prevent infections!!
[quote=“Cathy_S”]
Would you believe I am also apparently somewhat allergic/sensitive to antibacterials and they started breaking down my skin. I look a mess from all my reactions to tape and my attempts to prevent infections!![/quote]
That’s too bad, you need to consult with your Dr. asap and maybe he might send you to a dermatologist or some sepcialist of some kind…
Don’t delay, should be seen asap before it it will become useless.
As for myslef, I already solved the irritation, itching and redness associated with prolong use of the tape…the fabric bands worked for me great, but now am noticing the MediaSystems Alcohol Gel is breaking my skin so I will need to find an alternative…
Wish you luck on finding a solution…
Gus, are you using the veterinary tape to hold the guaze after removing the needles or just to hold the needles?
FWIW I of course also react to the sterigel, so now I use betadine wipes then use disinfecting gel on my hands and remove the scabs and finally clean with alcohol prior to sticking my needles, knock on wood, so far no infections even though I don’t use the sterigel any longer.
I’m not sure what a dermatologist can do, I simply have very sensitive skin and Kaiser doesn’t pay for tegaderm or some of the other solutions, and considering it is 6x a week it would get pretty expensive for me. I think I may try the stuff you recommended although I’m still not quite sure how to do it myself on my upper arm fistula.
Speaking of tape, the box of paper Microtape I got with my last order of dialysis supplies must be a new batch or something. It sticks like the dickens. I use it to tape over my sites after treatment, and a few days ago, it actually ripped off a little piece of skin when I pulled it off.
Pierre
The paper tape often takes off skin on me. I only use the micropore tape to wrap around the needle and use 1/4 width so don’t have as much trouble with it, although often I have hive like red marks for a few hours after dialysis. I use paper tape for my sites after needle removal and try to remember to take it off during the night as it causes a pretty big reaction if left on all night.
Has anybody tried that Transpore tape? It’s clear plastic with tiny holes in it–great if you have a shoe that rubs your foot (you can put it on there and keep from getting a blister). It seems less sticky than paper tape and might work for holding the tubing. They sell it at Walgreen’s, I think 3M makes it, but J&J might also have a version of it.
Ya, I heard of it. I also saw this at WalGreens as well…
http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100127&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod381439
I think anything without latex is the best way to go…if they have latex, don’t buy…
The plastic Transpore tape is what we use to tape things that are more critical. For example, I use it, as I was taught, to tape a “bridge” over the needle line to bloodline connections to eliminate the possibility of the connection somehow coming apart during the night. I use it to tape the sensor of my leak detector behind the venous needle… that sort of thing. I don’t use it for anything where it will end up taped to my skin, because it very strong-sticking tape, plus, it’s very irritating. I was taught to use it to tape the bloodlines onto the gauze cuff on my wrist, but I’ve evolved an easier method where I first them them with paper tape, and then I secure the end of the paper tape with a short length of the plastic Transpore tape. When dialyzing overnight, you have to make sure nothing can come apart during the night, because you’re not sitting there monitoring your treatment all night.
Pierre
I haven’t found Transpore to be strong-sticking or irritating, but everybody’s skin is different, I guess.
Walgreen’s has some kind of tape by Johnson & Johnson called “No Hurt” that sticks to itself, not skin. So there’s a thought…
the tape we are using is called Yukiban Tape. Con uses the 25mm skin colour. It is a pinky shade.
It is from a company called Nitto Denko. the website is http://www.nitto.com/
I can’t find the product on this site, but you can email them and ask them if they have a distrututor in USA.
I found one here in Australia. This tape is made of a gel adhesive it is great, doesnt cause any allergy so far and con has been using it for 2 years.
I hope this helps.
From the looks of it seems it’s made for industrial use, electronics components and such…
Are you sure your using that? What’s the ID number on your tape roll?
I’ve already tried the veterinary wrap as mentioned above, I wore this this for almost 24 hours and found that it did cause some problems…my skin started getting itchy, immediately I took it off. I believe this product contains latex which for most of is a no no…
However, before trying this product I tried the elastic fabric band which worked nicley without causing any skin irritation nor itching…