-> I was wondering if any one had an ideas regarding how to keep
-> drainage from the trach getting on the collar of clothes. Some days
-> are better than others. I had the drainage but can't stand the little
-> gauze pads they have to slip under the trach. They are quite
-> uncomfortable.
This is something I have wondered about too. Sometimes I don't
like the way a 4 X 4 drain sponge looks, especially with certain clothes
(tee-shirts). They sometimes seem to accentuate the trach.
I've known a couple of people who leave out the drain sponge
altogether. I tried it but found that without the sponge, the trach
wasn't as stable and wobbled around more. Also, I think the sponge
protects the trach site from dirt.
The comfort, or discomfort, of a trach sponge depends on what
brand it is. Some "cheap" brands are made up of heavy, stiff, and
coarsely woven gauze. These really bother me. I have found the softer
and finer woven the gauze, the more comfortable they are. The only
brand, out of several I've tried, that gives good comfort is Soft Wick,
by Johnson & Johnson.
How many 4 X 4's do you use around your trach at one time? I
have found that using only one sponge at a time is best for me. Some
people use two. I used to, but now only use one. One is less bulky,
and more comfortable.
Blane
:)