Look at all of my giraffes! I almost want to roll over to see them. It is extremely difficult to remove the patch from Olivia's eye. It's like ripping a band-aid off. . .over your eye, one of the most sensitive areas of the body. I think Ryan is going to pick some Maalox up after work and we'll try that tomorrow. I'm not sure, however, if you put the Maalox around her eye before you put the patch on or if you rub it on the outside of the patch before it's removed. I did some searching online and read that you can rub A&D Ointment on the outside of the adhesive about 15-20 minutes before removing it. The ointment is supposed to cause the adhesive to lose its stickiness and allow for painless removal. What they don't realize is that babies like to pull at the patch and then stick their hands in their mouth. I don't think that Olivia should be eating the ointment, so that didn't work. Hopefully, the Maalox will work a lot better. I just can't imagine putting her through this day after day. Her poor eye is red for a long time after the patch is removed. I'm afraid she is going to be like me and be extremely sensitive to adhesives and latex. I still have a scar on my arm from a latex bandage that I had on in the hospital.
On a happier note, the other day I was sitting in Olivia's chair. From where I was sitting, I counted 19 visible giraffes in her room. That doesn't count the giraffes that I knew were there, but couldn't see. That's a lot of giraffes.
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5 comments:
I've never tried Maalox, but some of my familes use Milk of Magnesia (same concept I think). Put the liquid around Olivia's eye (on her skin) in the place that the patch will go, then put the patch on for a few hours. It should then be easier to remove because the milk of mag/maalox dries and forms a barrier. Good luck with the patching!! As an early intervention therapist, I have known many families who need to do this. I know it is not easy but think of how good it will be for her vision development!
Patty (NICU/Birth to Three SLP)
Hi Jodi,
Apply the Maalox to the area you are going to put the patch. It coats the skin and allows the patch to adhere to do its job, but comes off very easy so she won't be so red. I am praying for you. I remember vividly when we had just begun the patching. Please email me if you need to talk.
Jazen
rayjazen@yahoo.com
We use paper tape - Carver has a latex and/or adhesive allergy. We have to patch eyes for days after surgery. We leave the paper tape on the forehead and a piece under the eye - then you can tape on top of the paper tape. At least then, you're not always pulling tape off their skin. It looks ugly, but is temporary. If you put the tape low enough, you could use an adhesive remover that you can buy from the drug store.
I had to laugh, we have the same Lamaze giraffe that is showing in your picture and it is my girls' favourite, one will also almost roll over trying to get a good look at it!
Good luck with the patching, unfortunately I don't have any helpful tips there.
I am a mom of 24 weeker twins (also an RN) I have heard of 3M Cavilon No Sting barrier (http://www.fresnelprism.com/Cavilon.html). We used it with an ostomy bag (which my son had due to NEC while in the NICU)to help protect the skin from adhesives. You can also use it when attaching an eye patch. Our pediatrician also recommended using Duoderm (also a 3M product)to place on the sensitive areas and putting the patch right on that. We patched our son for awhile but his strabismus is not responding and he will have to have surgery to correct it. Hope this helps
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