For mouth tapers -are you aware of Skin-prep?

[johnthomasmacdonald]

There is a product called "Skin-prep" that is used to provide barrier protection between tape and skin for people with very sensitive skin and also helps with film adhesion. It comes as a box of 50 individually sealed papers soaked in isopropyl alchohol and some polymer in foil squares. If you wear glasses and ever get cleanser packets that you can take with you, they are very similar. It does seem to work, i was finding that the area around my lips was starting to break down and it has recovered since using this. I also find it makes for a much better seal for the breathe-right strips that i use. I found them by accident as we've had them laying around the house for over a year for my sister who has bed sores that refuse to heal ( although the tape hasn't been a problem which is why these things were just sitting around). I think you could find them at a medical supply store.

[SleepyToo2]

I would only want to use isopropyl alcohol for skin prep - not for anything that I might be breathing all night. Or maybe that's just me?

[chunkyfrog]

In the past, some tapers have used a thin film of dried Pepto-Bismol under the tape to protect their sensitive skin.
Cheap, and worth a shot. If Skin Prep works better, it might be worth trying.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

sleepy2 wrote: " I would only want to use isopropyl alcohol for skin prep - not for anything that I might be breathing all night. Or maybe that's just me?"

no, there is no isopropy alcohol to breathe - i guess it is just to keep the polymer in solution - like with the stuff you clean your eyeglasses with, there is no liquid on the lenses when you are done

You open the packet and take out the pad - which is like an inch square and you rub it on the area you want to tape - you need to let the alcohol completely evaporate away ( takes like 5 seconds) before applying the tape - it does leave behind the polymer residue which you can't see but you can slightly feel ( similar but much less i would think then the dried pepto bismol that chunky frog mentioned)

I also don't see you breathing in any of this anyway since it is under the tape and the air is being pumped in from the location of the machine

[NateS]

The idea of rubbing/wiping isopropyl alcohol onto my lips sounds painful and unappealing. Doesn't it burn and make them raw?

Now if it was something like Jack Daniels, on the other hand, that might be a different story.

Nate

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Nate wrote: "The idea of rubbing/wiping isopropyl alcohol onto my lips sounds painful and unappealing. Doesn't it burn and make them raw?

Now if it was something like Jack Daniels, on the other hand, that might be a different story. "

Mainly I try to put them around the lips but now that you mention it, i must have gotten them on the lips since i'm not the neatest person in the world -especially right before getting ready for sleep ( and i now have two old dogs from the shelter that have separation issues and are bunking into me pretty much all the time i'm getting ready for bed) but I don't remember any pain and it was certainly a lot more raw before using them - if you are at all interested in trying them - send me a PM and i'll mail you a bunch of them to try. It's really no problem.

I'm not much of a jack daniels drinker since in college i got passed out drunk on jack daniels when i took it at an end of semester party on an empty stomach full of cold medications - funny, 30 years ago and the smell still gets to me

However in England I really developed a taste for scotch - especially the islay malts - if you've not tried them, they are the really dark peaty scotches ( they are to scotch like guinness is to beer) very strong flavor. Sadly their prices have gone through the roof in recent years so i rarely get the chance to indulge.

[chunkyfrog]

Jack Daniels!
I'll drink to that!
Merry Chrishmash!

[porete]

I've never used skin prep to tape my mouth, since I've always used a ffm. However, I have a urostomy and have used skin prep for many years to prevent skin breakdown. There are many companies that make their own version of skin prep. Smith & Nephew makes the one mentioned in the original post.
I've used Convatec, Hollister, and Smith & Nephew's brand of skin-prep and have never had a problem. There is an alcohol-free version made by 3M called Cavilon that I'm currently using now, it works just as well as the brands that contain alcohol. The non-alcohol version is a little kinder to your skin, and doesn't sting if you have a little abrasion, or skin irritation from the adhesive.
Convatec:
http://www.convatec.com/en/cvtus-produc ... dfamily=87

Hollister:
http://www.hollister.com/us/products/pr ... &series=99

Smith & Nephew:
http://www.smith-nephew.com/us/professi ... skin-prep/

Cavilon by 3M:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... 85P3RT67gl

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Porete, that is probably what we have them here for also - my sister got a colostomy back in april - I was assuming they were for taping the wounds since i go through a roll or two of tape almost daily in changing the bandages.

Is this skin barrier required for the colostomy?- she doesn't use it if it is - she uses convatec bags - she has to cut the circle thingy down to the exact fit

[NateS]

Nate wrote:

"The idea of rubbing/wiping isopropyl alcohol onto my lips sounds painful and unappealing. Doesn't it burn and make them raw?

Now if it was something like Jack Daniels, on the other hand, that might be a different story. "

Mainly I try to put them around the lips but now that you mention it, i must have gotten them on the lips since i'm not the neatest person in the world -especially right before getting ready for sleep ( and i now have two old dogs from the shelter that have separation issues and are bunking into me pretty much all the time i'm getting ready for bed) but I don't remember any pain and it was certainly a lot more raw before using them - if you are at all interested in trying them - send me a PM and i'll mail you a bunch of them to try. It's really no problem.

I'm not much of a jack daniels drinker since in college i got passed out drunk on jack daniels when i took it at an end of semester party on an empty stomach full of cold medications - funny, 30 years ago and the smell still gets to me

However in England I really developed a taste for scotch - especially the islay malts - if you've not tried them, they are the really dark peaty scotches ( they are to scotch like guinness is to beer) very strong flavor. Sadly their prices have gone through the roof in recent years so i rarely get the chance to indulge.

Thank you for your offer, but I'm gunshy about the alcohol - may try the alcohol free ones mentioned above - 3M™ Cavilon. After experimenting with mouth-taping, I switched to Chinup strips (http://www.chinupstrip.com/) which go on right below the lower lip with two tabs up beyond the corners of the upper lips without touching the lips. I think I like them much better - it brings my leaks down almost as low as taping over my mouth, but without the feeling of being the victim of a kidnapping or great train robbery, which was giving me the creeps.

I do put chapstick on my lips before sticking them on.

Sorry for your bad experience with Jack Daniels. I had a similar experience years ago, when I was much younger, with Manhattans. In one awful New Years Eve, Manhattans went from my favorite celebration beverage to a liquid I can't stand to even look at!

Happy New Year!

Regards, Nate

[porete]

Porete, that is probably what we have them here for also - my sister got a colostomy back in april - I was assuming they were for taping the wounds since i go through a roll or two of tape almost daily in changing the bandages.

Is this skin barrier required for the colostomy?- she doesn't use it if it is - she uses convatec bags - she has to cut the circle thingy down to the exact fit

I also use Convatec products:

Wafer:
http://www.convatec.com/en/cvtus-produc ... dfamily=86

I use model #413153, it's the type that turtlenecks around the ostomy and helps protect the skin from moisture.
Pouch:
http://www.convatec.com/en/cvtus-produc ... dfamily=47

I would strongly recommend that your sister use some type of skin barrier, I've been using it since I had my urostomy done about 18 years ago and have never had any major problems with skin breakdown. The last time I saw the ostomy nurse, she told me that they aren't automatically recomending that new ostomy patients use skin barrier because the wafers and pouches are more advanced. The recomendation is to not use skin barrier until you have skin breakdown. However, I prefer to be proactive and use skin barrier, I would much rather prevent skin breakdown than have to deal with it after it happens.

Also, you mentioned you have to change the bandages, you shouldn't have to change or apply any bandages once you have the wafer and pouch attached. Is she having problems with leakage?

[johnthomasmacdonald]

dear Porete, thanks for your insights - you gave us more info in your one post than my sister received from the hospital or nursing home - in the nursing home they refused to show her how to change them ( i think they worry about liability and expected her to rely on visiting nurses) - luckily she already knew how to change them since my mother had a colostomy caused by a colonoscopy that tore her colon.

i just checked the number of the bags it's 22771. The wound care is not for the ostomy it is for bed sores that haven't completely healed in two years after several surgeries - they now look like blisters that has broken and the skin come off but with fresh red skin directly underneath - if it was me, i would expect it to heal in a week or so but they have only slightly improved in 4 months. The wounds resulted from her lack of mobility and pain sensation caused by her multiple sclerosis ( she is pretty much paralyzed from the waist down) vastly complicated by lymphedema, one amputated leg and severe arthritis. She also has a sub-pubic catheter which she also changes herself ( and this is complicated by SEVERE bladder stones - her urine looks like it's about 20% rocks and sand - no matter how much water and cranberry juice she drinks)

She never complains about any of the stuff she has been handed and in fact is usually pretty hilarious about it. SHe was on a respirator for over a year but they've managed to wean her off it even though her doctors figured it would never happen.

[porete]

dear Porete, thanks for your insights - you gave us more info in your one post than my sister received from the hospital or nursing home - in the nursing home they refused to show her how to change them ( i think they worry about liability and expected her to rely on visiting nurses) - luckily she already knew how to change them since my mother had a colostomy caused by a colonoscopy that tore her colon.

i just checked the number of the bags it's 22771. The wound care is not for the ostomy it is for bed sores that haven't completely healed in two years after several surgeries - they now look like blisters that has broken and the skin come off but with fresh red skin directly underneath - if it was me, i would expect it to heal in a week or so but they have only slightly improved in 4 months. The wounds resulted from her lack of mobility and pain sensation caused by her multiple sclerosis ( she is pretty much paralyzed from the waist down) vastly complicated by lymphedema, one amputated leg and severe arthritis. She also has a sub-pubic catheter which she also changes herself ( and this is complicated by SEVERE bladder stones - her urine looks like it's about 20% rocks and sand - no matter how much water and cranberry juice she drinks)

She never complains about any of the stuff she has been handed and in fact is usually pretty hilarious about it. SHe was on a respirator for over a year but they've managed to wean her off it even though her doctors figured it would never happen.

I had a thought regarding the bed sores that aren't healing. I don't know if anyone has told you, but there are specialized nurses that deal only with wound care and ostomies. The experience they have is invaluable, especially when you're new to ostomies or are having problems. They are also very knowledgeable about wound care and they may be able to help your sister with the bed sores. Most hospitals have one or more on staff. Maybe ask your doctor or call the hospital directly and ask if they have a Wound, Ostomy, Continence nurse (WOCN) on staff.
Here's a website where you can learn more:
http://www.wocn.org/?page=patients

There is also a find a nurse page:
http://www.wocn.org/?page=Nurse_Referral

HTH,
porete