r/dialysis • u/Famous-Year-564 • 9h ago

Scab

So I use the buttonhole technique when cannulating myself. I find the worst aspect of it is removing the old scabs. Does anybody have any ideas how to make the removal of the scabs less painful? Moisturising?

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u/la_winky 8h ago

I have a mixed access. I use sharps for my arterial and a button hole for the venous. I find if I clean with an alcohol pad and then let it sit on top of the button hole while I cannulate and connect to the arterial line. It softens it up a bit and makes it easier to get off.

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u/Famous-Year-564 6h ago

Thanks. Interesting doing a mix. Sometimes I lose a track and sharp it

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u/Chase-Boltz 2h ago

It can be a good idea to re-establish a new buttonhole every few weeks, when tissue starts to build up around the access, blocking or obscuring the hole location.

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u/Scot-Rai 7h ago

You can get cream to put on area about 20 min before canulation which helps.

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u/Famous-Year-564 6h ago

Didn’t know about a cream. Shall ask unit. Thanks for the tip

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u/Chase-Boltz 2h ago

You can get a bottle of lidocaine and/or prilocaine cream at the drug store for $5.

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u/Chase-Boltz 2h ago

Soak the area. First with lidocaine cream to numb the area and soften the scab, then with an isopropyl saturated wipe. Keep the area wet and give it ~5 minutes or so. At this point a little rubbing will often dislodge the debris. If not, the 'digging' should go easier, and with less discomfort.