You have nailed the why I did not have a PICC as no one could work out a dressing I would not react to. oncologist refused to consider a PICC unless absolutely essential due to my allergies. Instead I had cannulas sited every single time as I did not react to the hypersensitive cannula dressings used. They also used steri strips in place of tape as I did not react to those either. IF anyone used any of the tapes they had access to the rash started fast which was not good news when I was already loaded with extra steroids and antihistimines.
TBH if you have a tendency to very sensitive skin to begin with chemo makes it far worse. I had such a bad flare of eczema on my first chemo session I could not wear any clothes and spent days wrapped in a cotton sheet till Eczema clothing (old cotton comfort) arrived by post. Had to change everything from laundry to whatI clean the house with to the most environmentally friendly mildest stuff or my skin reacted. nine weeks on since last chemo and my skin is still hyper reactive.
Watch out for your skin reacting to every little thing Ìt would normally be fine with. Hell I lost all my hair overnight and could NOT wear a wig nor most cheaper chemo headwear’s and had to order in specialist Cotton and bamboo ones. Silk would not stay on my head at all. I tried using Sanex Zero and ended up reacting to that so oncologist ended up prescribing Zerobase and dermol500 instead. I can only just use prescription Aprobase oat based emollient again. I still react to Aveeno etc. Cannot remember the last time I used anything with a scent.
Found Fussy deodorant was about the only thing I could use on my hairless pits. DItto La Roche Posey sensitive skin sun blocks provided I used a layer of zerobase half hour before using.keepout of the sun if you need to and let the oncologist know if your skin reacts to sunlight.
I did take photos of every skin reaction I had to show my oncologist. Seriously do the same. It will help them work out what could be going on for you. Sometimes you can be truly allergic to a chemo drug. ( I was had three severe adverse reactions in a row no matter what they did scared me as I genuinely thought I was going to die) and your oncologist is the one who can change your drug regime to help your body cope. Sometimes it could be slowing the drug down so you can cope plus extra supportive drugs. sadly it’s often trial and error to find what actually works and helps you. Sometimes chemo ramps up skin sensitivity and makes you hyper react to sensitive sticky used in hospitals so you need the hypersensitive less sticky sticky stuff. Ask for extra if that’s the case as it does come drift quicker.Get the nurses to show you how to do a safe patch repair till they can check for you. be very careful with PICC pretty covers. Speak with your chemo nurse before using anything. I think Bold Beanies make cotton PICC covers but check they are suitable for you to use.
I found being very clear BEFORE a cannulas was sited that I was very reactive to dressings etc gave the staff chance to source something my skin would not sulk over. MY oncologist also ended up prescribing daily antihistimines and a longer course of predisalone (steroid) after I completed the dexamethasone steroid. That helped keep my skin down to merely itchy rather than excema from hell. Your oncologist can also prescribe dressings your skin can tolerate along with the chemo drugs if your chemo unit does not carry them. the pharmacy at the hospital can issue them as they supply all the wards etc. PICC dressings - maybe chat with one of the BCNs about the issue your having as my oncologist could not imagine a dressing that would not cause me issues. they may be able to recommend alternatives that your hospital can order in. TOUGH if for a good medical reason you need the more expensive dressing (I can tolerate softpore dressing sticky for a few days but not the waterproof sticky softpore. ) I am so sorry it’s a horrible try and see and I do recommend trying on an area like your wrist that really is sensitive rather than by the PICC site before trying on your PICC. IF your blistering or developing hives and especially if spreading CALL THE HOSPITAL RED CARD FOR ADVICE! You are not being a wuss as sore reactive skin is no fun and will stop you sleeping etc.
IF like me your very reactive you may find you have an oxipulsometer, blood pressure monitor and thermometer on standby as sometimes the data from that can help the chemo nurses on call work out if it’s a cascading reaction that needs to come straight in or if it’s one that just needs advice. IF they are concerned you MIGHT need to come in or their hunch is to they do ring back to double check on you. It worried me the first few times they did that but I worked out they were just keeping an eye on me given my history of drug allergies and adverse reactions.
It is possible to manage chemo if you have sensitive skin provided you have a supportive oncologist and understanding nurses who will argue your case with hospital purchasing for what you medically need to get through Ìt. Truly hope all goes well and that your BCN may be able to find info out from a specialist Chemo nurse to the issue your PICC dressing is causing you. Hang in there and do keep advocating for yourself and your skin.