Blisters on my thigh

[Mona~on~wheels]

Of all things. My catheter got between my legs while they were shut.
I was in my sling transfering. The aide pulled it gentle out.
I thought everything was alright.
Then we noticed a real tiny sore where the port on the catheter was on my leg.
So she put tao & a bandaid on it.
Next day the skin around the bandaide was bright red.
Took the bandaide off & I have blisters all around the outline of the bandaide.
I guess the bandaide pulled during ROM, grrrr
It's way up on my thigh and it's right in the inside of my thigh..
It's constantly getting rubbed. Part of the blisters have busted & ran.
One spot has a blister the size of a quarter and the fluid is getting bigger.
I'm scared to put another bandaide on it.

Is it better busted so it can dry up?
With a sterile needle, tao, bandaide?
Or leave water in, and leave bandaide off.
What's the best thing to do?

I have K flex. Should I take some to ward off infection?

[Art454]

That sucks...I would put Neosporin on when I get one and keep the pressure off it and wash it a couple of times a day. They can take forever to heal sometimes were you can't feel. Washing the area and neosporin and cover it till it stops leaking...then just neo after till it scapes.

[cinnyk]

Instead of bandaids, if I have a sore/blister in a spot that I want covered, I use some stuff called second skin. It's like a bandaid but not with the plastic in the bandaid--which I've noticed causes red spots and skin reaction where the adhesive sits. Second skin allows for air flow and stays on until the area is healed and can be taken off or just falls off when done healing. I tend to move around a lot and bandaids have never stayed in place. I've found the stuff you can get at places like Walmart doesn't stay on as long, but if in a pinch, I'd rather use that than bandaids which has caused skin reactions for me.

[HeathQuad]

Never pop a blister on purpose. That is your bodies protection over an open spot. I'm sure the nurse will help more details but I would leave that one alone and not even cover it. The ones that have opened I would cover with some type of antibacterial cream and some non-stick gauze. And as with anything I would keep a check on the redness and if it's getting worse contact a doctor because of the risk of infection.

I was getting blisters on mine when I discovered I was allergic to latex. We left the blisters alone and they healed up very quickly and the ones that did break we just kept covered and I had no problems. And be careful it's a spot is where they port was putting pressure on your leg could be susceptible to a pressure spot so be on the lookout for that also.

[SCI-Nurse]

My first inclination would be that this is a latex allergy. What kind of catheter are you using? What type off tape are you using to secure it?

(KLD)

[LaMemChose]

Holy guacamole Mona.

As others have said, do NOT pop the blisters. Keep the area clean, try an antibacterial cream (Neosporin) and keep pressure off the blisters as much as possible.

I hope these clear up quickly and you find the culprit.

[Mona~on~wheels]

Thanks Art, Yeah I covered them with neosporin.
They're undressed right now.

Thanks ciinnyk, I've never tried second skin.
I need to get some for times like this. Plus right now I'm leary of bandaids.

Thanks Healthquad, I was thinking I better not pop it. lol
I might be allergic to the bandaids. It would be the 1st thing in my life.
But there'a always a 1st.

Thanks KLD, I use silasic catheters and no tape.
It's not in a place easy to cover. It's bright red! Weird scarlett red.
No color in surrounding skin or veins. Just at the sites.
I also had an ingrown toe nail. It's a constant.
We have to clip it out every month.
Well after we got it out, it's bright scarlett red too.
The aide said it was getting pink up my foot.
I called my podatrist & he's on vacation till Monday.
The only one in town. So I've started taking the Keflex yesterday.

Thanks Mem, Okay don't pop it. lol Bad idea. So I won't do it.
I hope it heals fast too. Neosporin, clean, and no pressure.

[sjean423]

Mona .... re that toe nail. If you have to wait for Monday, soak the toe in hot (ish) water twice a day. It will help. And watch that the red doesn;t start spreading up the foot further. Ask your podiatrist about a procedure that will prevent this from reoccurring. I have had it done, and it made a big difference. I have posted about it before .... I will search for it.



eta This thread describes it.

[Mona~on~wheels]

Originally Posted by sjean423

Mona .... re that toe nail. If you have to wait for Monday, soak the toe in hot (ish) water twice a day. It will help. And watch that the red doesn;t start spreading up the foot further. Ask your podiatrist about a procedure that will prevent this from reoccurring. I have had it done, and it made a big difference. I have posted about it before .... I will search for it.



eta This thread describes it.

Wow! Thanks Sjean that's exactly what I need to have done!
I'm tired of messing with this all the time. Plus it's dangerous.
I guess he didn't mention it because he loses money.
Thanks so much! I'll soak them this weekend & see him Monday.

I appreciate it! Mona

[sjean423]

You're welcome. I have had it done on only 3 sides of my big toes. This weekend we were away, and sure enough, I get an ingrown nail on the last side. Luckily I was able to clip it, and completely catch the part that was ingrown, but usually doing it myself is just a recipe for making it worse.

It is a relatively minor procedure, but based on the way my spasticity kicks up it would really hurt if I could feel it. If you are prone to AD, be sure to consider this. He should use some sort of local anesthetic even though you won't "feel" it. And don;t wear tight shoes while it is healing. It looks MUCH worse for a few days too. But heals up fine.