There's a bit of a pinkish area just above the PEG tube site (the tube's been in 8 days now). This wasn't there the first several days. Has anyone else had this develop and just resolve on its own, or gotten a full-blown infection in the area? All the aftercare instructions state are to keep the area dry (though not for how long etc). Appt's next week to get the sutures out.

If the area is not overly painful or inflamed, it's probably not infected. Watch for fever also. But KEEP AN EYE ON IT! My PEG became infected in February. The stoma became VERY angry red, almost purple, swollen, and very painful. Before I was able to get in to see my doc, I vomited and the tube actually fell out of me! Geesh! Spent 4 days in the hospital, and another tube was installed once the infection was under control. New tube has been a breeze. Keeping the site dry, with only a gauze pad to absorb any leakage has worked well for me. Just for the record, my PEG tube is my friend. I'm so glad I had it put in. I lost 30 lbs during tx. I can't imagine where I would have been without it. Good luck, and hang in there.

mgmichael

I developed "pink spot" within a week with both PEG tubes. I found that I needed to put the generic triple antibiotic creme on every day or else the pink spot returns. I skipped yesterday and yep 'Pink" , My wife hates all the stains on my tshirts right above the peg insertion from the creme
good luck
charm

Charm--better get pink t-shirts!

Rex's peg tube has been doing really great since it was put in. Yesterday I noticed that it was "pink" around the area. I change the bandage (gauze) every other day and told him that I probably need to do it every day now that it's getting hotter out and he's sweating. I also put neosporin onces a day on his.
Pat

We didn't really get aftercare instructions other than keep the area clean and dry and return in two wks to have stitches out. He did apply antibiotic ointment today just in case.

One other thing the nurse/case manager from our insurance company suggested is to put Malox on the skin around the hole and let it dry before puting the gauze on. The malox helps dry the skin and neutralizes any stomach acid that might leak and cause irritation. We checked with the surgeon who installed the PEG and he said "Hey...I've never thought of that, but it's a good idea!"

Bacitracin ointment was the one recommended for T. He kept it clean and dry by first cleaning with alcohol swabs and then put the ointment on. It seems he was also, told about the bacitracin for his drain sites after the RND to aid in healing. When I had skin cancer surgery five years ago, they told me to use polysporin because they have better results with the skin healing and scarring was diminished.

As far as the swabs go, don't keep it up indefinately. Just clean around the site for a week or so. You want it to heal on it's own. (Dr's orders).

Good luck with that--it will be pink for awhile and will drain for awhile.

They finally said to use zinc oxide cream, though it took a trip to four stores to locate one that actually had it!

Charm, try using some of that special painter's masking tape designed for gumless removal within certain time periods on the *inside* of your shirts -- Get it a WalMart or hardware store.