Good evening all. I’ve had my PICC in since September & had quite a few issues with it. One of which has been reacting to dressings. About a month ago I ended up in hospital with a horrible reaction to one of the dressings so they put me onto a “honeycomb” dressing. Which has / had been brilliant but I now seem to have a reaction developing around this all of a sudden.
I’ve never had any issues with anything before on my skin prior to this. Has anyone had this issue previously? I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong / not cleaning the area correctly or something? Could it be my deodorant?! I’m so confused as to why it was fine for a month & my skin has now seeming suddenly taken a dislike to this dressing (and also unsure if there is any alternative!). Argh!
Uh oh, you’ve had a nightmare with it haven’t you 
What are you using to clean the area? I have to confess I don’t clean anywhere near mine at all, I just completely leave it and let the nurses clean it when they do line care. Surely there must be other dressings they can use if need be? If it’s causing discomfort could you ring the helpline to see if they have any suggestions? 
lol nothing really…that’s part of why I’m wondering really was thinking maybe I’m just a dirty cow & it’s a sweat rash or something 
I avoid the area as much as possible. I think I will ring the helpline you are right but why oh why does stuff always happen at a weekend!!
Are you sure its the dressing? …i developed any allergy to the chlorhexidine cleaning swab…came out in a rash …had to change to iodone …hope you get sortex
Hi
I never had any allergies until I had my surgery. The dressings made me come out in blisters. I never thought about it again until I had my PICC line. It started off fine. Then the alcohol cleanings pads made my skin bleed and blister. They also changed me onto the comfort dressings with the blue tear off tabs…result no issues. I don’t clean it either. I cover it over in the shower and sometimes wear a sleeve.
Hi, I haven’t been able to have any of the dressings with glue as I’m allergic to it. I’ve been managing simply with a non-adhesive dressing and a bandage with tubi grip on top. This has been fine. Like you, I have never really had issues with dressings until recently. I sometimes need to in between lawn care. Get my husband to put another bandage on it as it moves around. I’ve had my PICC line for the last 6 weeks and no infection fortunately.
Hi
I had an allergic reaction to the dressings, i developed a biggish blister, the nurses just cleaned it & managed to avoid putting anything near it. Normally i’m ok with things like that, but i think my skin is more sensitive now, even a year after everything.
Been having reactions to the dressing too but I seem to have allergies to a lot of plasters etc. usually they will give me something else
Separate question but has anyone accidentally got their picc slightly wet? Had a shower today and it seemed to have seeped through the waterproof cover. Is it something I need to get checked asap? I do have chemo tomorrow morning.
I haven’t but did ask about this as I am exceptionally paranoid & an HCA told me the dressing is waterproof too so in the instance of this happening it should be okay, I guess it depends how much x
Don’t worry as you’re having chemo tomorrow, the nurses will change it for you (I used to be a chemo nurses myself). We do ask that it stays dry but don’t panic. You need to ask for a sleeve to cover it while you’re in the shower. It’s called a Limbo sleeve, the hospital can supply them or sometimes you have to get them from the GP. Hope this helps xxx
There are a few different dressings that can be used so if you’re allergic to one, you’ll probably be ok with another one. Also, the cleaning solution can be changed too. Just ask your nurse next time you need it changed xxx
Been using the limbo sleeve I think (got it on prescription) but suddenly it just got in today. Will ask them to change it tomorrow while I’m in, just scared of infections right now because my port put me in hospital for a week and had to come out.
I’m allergic to all the dressings too. When i had my surgeries I was left with scars from the incisions and scars from the dressings! I have a rectangle scar around my boob.
My picc line is surrounded by all the bits of sore skin. The nurses put some sort of lotion on when then change dressing. Some sort of skin protection gel. It helps. When i have a shower i use limbo sleeve too. When i take that off after, i clean my skin around dressing with e45 and water on cotton pads.
Hope that helps? X
Thankyou @bluesatsuma im glad I’m not the only one & some useful ideas on this post. I’ve had the barrier cream put on once at the emergency side of the cancer hospital but when I go in for a normal change & clean they don’t seem to know what I am on about. Might start giving it a wipe and some cream myself x
Same same. It’s so uncomfortable! Ask for them to use cavilon under the dressing. It acts as a barrier and has been a lifesaver for me!
Very interesting to hear experiences. I had my dressings changed yesterday and noticed my skin was starting to redden (there was also a hair from the nurse who changed the dressing trapped under it 
I’ve had the dressing changed out today at chemo for one that is next step up in terms of skin sensitivity. Fingers crossed.
I had a reaction to the Mepore dressing . Delayed my radiotherapy. Dermatologist prescribed strong hydrocortisone cream . Cleared it up .