Itching After PICC Line Removal
Hi there, I’m a 29-year-old woman who had her PICC line taken out just yesterday, after undergoing a four-week course of antibiotics. During the last two times I had my dressing changed, I started seeing some blistering and yellow crustiness around the stat lock and neighboring skin. The nurses dismissed it, saying it was simply irritation. After peeling off the clear bandage and gauze that they placed post-removal, I noticed my skin has become extremely itchy and is developing blisters and bumps resembling hives in the area where the stat lock was located. Could it be that it caused some burning sensation on my skin? On the first day following the removal (Day 1), I didn’t observe any irritation around the PICC line site, but now on Day 3, I see irritation has set in, particularly near the lower part by my elbow. The rashes in those areas do not resemble the irritation I experienced with the stat lock, however.
Answers (1)
8/16/2025, 10:10:46 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing significant discomfort and irritation following your PICC line removal. Your symptoms—itching, blistering, and hives-like bumps—are concerning and should be taken seriously, especially considering your medical history. These symptoms may indicate a skin reaction, an allergic response, or possibly an infection.
Explanation
- Skin Irritation or Allergic Reaction: After the removal of a PICC line, some patients may experience irritation due to the adhesive used on dressings or the stat lock. If your skin is reacting to these materials, making contact with them can cause itching and blistering.
- Infection: Since you've observed crustiness and blistering near the insertion site and these symptoms are worsening, there could also be a risk of infection, especially after an intravenous procedure.
- Skin Changes Related to Your Health Conditions: Conditions such as lupus or underlying sensitivities may also play a role in how your skin responds to various irritants or stressors.
Next Steps
-
Keep the Area Clean and Dry: Gently cleanse the affected area with mild soap and water. Avoid scrubbing or using harsh chemicals, and pat it dry with a clean towel.
-
Apply a Cool Compress: To alleviate itching and reduce inflammation, consider applying a cool, damp cloth to the affected area for 10-15 minutes several times a day.
-
Use Over-the-Counter Anti-Itch Cream: A hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine cream (like Benadryl gel) may help manage the itching and reduce redness.
-
Monitor for Signs of Infection: Keep an eye out for worsening redness, increased warmth, swelling, pus, or fever. If you notice these symptoms, it's essential to address them promptly.
-
Avoid Scratching: While it may be tempting, try to avoid scratching the area, as this can worsen irritation and increase the risk of infection.
-
Consider Allergy Assessment: If the symptoms continue or worsen, consider documenting your skin changes and discussing them further with your healthcare provider, particularly regarding potential allergies to adhesives or other materials.
-
Stay Calm and Reach Out for Help if Needed: If you feel that the itching or irritation is unbearable, or if you develop any additional concerning symptoms, consider reaching out for a more thorough evaluation.
Your comfort and health are important; taking these steps can help manage your symptoms and promote healing. Let me know if you need further clarification or support!
Related Questions
Annoying Fluid-Filled Bumps on My Skin
Background Details: I’m a 17-year-old female currently taking Prozac and regularly using marijuana, along with a hormonal patch for birth control. I maintain good hygiene practices and have recently laundered my bedding. I haven’t traveled lately or spent time in wooded areas, nor has anyone in my circle experienced similar symptoms. Treatments Attempted: - Consulted with a pharmacist who suggested Claritin, but this did not yield any results. - Visited a physician who prescribed a higher dosage of Claritin and recommended a shingles treatment, yet this also failed to alleviate my condition. - Experimented with various topical applications, including: - Calamine lotion - 1% Hydrocortisone - After-bite treatments - Benadryl - Polysporin anti-itch lotion - Zovirax (for cold sores) - Tea tree oil - Clove oil - Witch hazel - Aloe vera About three weeks ago, I began noticing intensely itchy bumps on my right wrist. These irritations quickly spread to my hand, arms, back, torso, neck, legs, and feet, leaving my face and genitals unaffected. Despite trying numerous remedies, the itching persists unabated. The only other issues I've experienced are mild fatigue and a sensation of tightness in my throat. The bumps are relatively small, measuring no more than 1 cm, and appear to be filled with clear fluid. Whenever I attempt to pop them, they not only return swiftly but also become larger and more bothersome. They can cluster together at times but are predominantly scattered, with my hand being the most impacted area.
Seeking Medical Assistance: A Personal Account
I’m a 38-year-old woman, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, residing in Whitney, Ontario, Canada. Being married, I found myself expecting a child during the pandemic, during which time I lacked a primary care physician—a situation I had been trying to rectify for seven long years. In the absence of a doctor, my husband and I incurred out-of-pocket expenses for necessary ultrasounds and blood tests. However, when we sought results, we were informed that only a doctor could provide them. After enduring 24 hours of laboring at home, I eventually went to the Emergency Room, where I delivered my baby just 15 minutes after my arrival. Although I restarted my citalopram, a medication I had previously taken for years, it seemed ineffective, and I slipped into a state of postpartum psychosis. My husband took me back to the E.R., but due to COVID restrictions, he and our newborn couldn’t accompany me. After an exhaustive wait of eight hours at Pembroke Ontario Hospital, I finally consulted with the on-call psychiatrist, Dr. Valentine, who unhelpfully advised, “You can’t stay here for a break from family; I’ll refer you elsewhere, so return home.” Reluctantly, I complied, only to witness a deterioration of my mental state into debilitating physical symptoms, which compelled my husband to leave his job to care for me and our child. Fast forward a year and a half, I finally obtained an appointment with a psychiatrist, where I was transitioned from Celexa to 120mg of Cymbalta. Over the next six months, a majority of my mental symptoms vanished, yet my physical health remained unimproved. Two years post childbirth, a virtual consultation through VTAK connected me with Dr. Babanaroozie. I relayed my worries about potentially entering perimenopause, the long-term effects of multiple COVID infections, or chronic fatigue syndrome. My symptoms aligned with those diagnoses, yet I wondered if my extended psychotic episode had irreparably impacted my health. Regrettably, the doctor dismissed my concerns, attributing them all to psychological factors. Despite this, my health declined; I became frailer and lost my appetite, to the point where my husband had to take over responsibilities at home, assisting me with even the simplest tasks. On better days, I can manage on my own for around six hours; during more challenging times, I struggle to leave my bed for more than three hours weekly. My days are often spent grappling with pain, soaking in sweat, and trembling as I endure hour after hour of discomfort. My husband frequently assists me with bathroom visits, getting dressed, bathing, and eating, while I sometimes sleep for two or three days back-to-back. The only thing that rouses me is the need for help with basic functions. Having recently relocated from Petawawa to Whitney, I find myself contemplating whether to seek a new doctor. If so, what’s the best approach? Or how can I convince my current physician to take my situation seriously? Over a year and a half has passed, and I hardly recognize who I once was. During the previous Christmas, my son requested a healthy mother from Santa, and just last week, my husband broke down emotionally, lamenting the loss of the wife he once knew before my decline. Each time my husband brought me to the E.R., I was met with dismissive attitudes that labeled my experiences as imaginary. They assert that I simply need to hydrate, engage in mild exercises, and lose weight, despite being at the higher end of my BMI. I can barely get out of bed, each breath comes with pain. How do I access the help I so desperately need? I’ve been told that leaving my virtual consultation would mean starting anew on another lengthy waitlist for medical professionals. The crux of my predicament lies in a history of unresolved medical issues. From the age of eight to twenty, I frequently visited the E.R. for severe abdominal pain, characterized by harsh projectile vomiting. Each time, I was sedated and told that I was merely seeking attention. After enduring what felt like a lifetime of minimal assistance and multiple acute episodes, I was finally diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. Treatment options, including digestive enzymes and an MRI, brought me some relief, allowing me to maintain a full-time job and an active lifestyle between the ages of 27 and 35. However, I find myself caught in the same frustrating cycles now, battling to be taken seriously and to acquire appropriate treatment. Yet, my health condition has left me too weak to advocate for myself effectively. As I lie in bed, I wonder if my days are numbered—waiting for divine intervention to release me from my suffering. My 4.5-year-old son expresses concerns over my breathing and well-being. I struggle to breathe comfortably, as every breath brings agony, forcing me to brace my abdomen to cope with the discomfort of getting through another day. I yearn for a diagnosis so I can receive effective treatment and regain my sense of normalcy, allowing me to participate fully in family life instead of being confined to bed, struggling hour by hour to survive. I’m at a loss as to how much longer I can endure this cycle. The feeling of being perpetually sick, like when I was a child and met with indifference from doctors, haunts me. My sense of hopelessness grows as I perceive the same pattern repeating—feeling forgotten while I languish in pain. My husband’s grandfather often organizes family outings to places like the Ottawa Science Centre, but I can’t join due to the agony of sitting in a car. I've made several attempts to seek help at the E.R., yet the experience is fraught with challenges. The pain often renders me unable to sit or stand; during my last visit, I collapsed on the ground in the E.R. waiting room after registering, eventually falling asleep. I was overlooked, and when I awoke, the staff informed me that I needed to re-register, forcing me to restart the entire eight-hour waiting process again. After enduring this for twelve hours, I was seen by a doctor who merely administered a Tylenol and sent me away. How can I find the help I desperately need?
Seeking Insight on Complex Post-COVID Health Issues
Hello, Esteemed Medical Professionals, I find myself reaching out in earnest hope for guidance regarding my complex health situation. I am a 39-year-old female, weighing 190 lbs and standing at 5'8". I have a history of vaping and my current diagnoses include rheumatoid factor-negative rheumatoid arthritis, potential RS3PE, fibromyalgia (a label I contest), idiopathic intracranial hypertension following venous sinus stenting, ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, and a suspected mixed connective tissue disease. In terms of medication, I am currently prescribed Adderall and Humira, the latter of which I haven't commenced yet due to my recent cessation of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and folic acid. To manage my chronic pain, I have turned to kratom since pain management prescriptions were not available to me, which previously led to suicidal thoughts stemming from incessant pain before I discovered kratom. **Addressing My Post-COVID Complications:** I'm experiencing symptoms that appear to suggest vascular or nerve compression issues. My challenge lies in eliciting curiosity and thorough investigation from healthcare providers rather than facing dismissal. **Historical Context:** - **Before COVID**: I was relatively fit and had no history of migraines. - **First COVID Encounter**: The initial infection was severe, marked by a high fever and a year-long loss of smell, subsequently leading to daily headaches that evolved into frequent migraines. - **Infections**: Total of three confirmed infections; I have been vaccinated twice alongside one booster. - **Neurological Treatment**: Various therapies were attempted including Maxalt (which provided temporary relief), Emgality (effective for about six months), and Botox, yet the migraines escalated to 20-25 days a month. - **CSF Considerations**: Given persistent drainage issues, I insisted on tests for IIH, despite resistance from providers due to my symptoms not aligning with typical presentations. After nine months, I finally secured an MRV that confirmed venous sinus stenosis, with a lumbar puncture indicating an opening pressure of 45, leading to a final diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension after the placement of a venous sinus stent, which alleviated the migraines and visual disturbances. **Current Concerns Post-Stenting:** - I am now enduring considerable joint and total body pain. - Raynaud’s phenomenon has developed since my COVID infection. - There’s a suspicion of an underlying connective tissue disorder based on my family history, positive antibody tests, and elevated inflammatory markers. - **Primary Symptoms**: These include numbness and tingling in my extremities based on position, persistent numbness in my toes for the past six months, pressure and fullness in my neck, dizziness with head movement or in certain positions, significant head pressure with minimal tactile pressure over the right jugular vein, a sensation of heaviness in my head, neck discomfort, and joint crepitus. I’ve noticed these issues worsen with certain positions, like chin tuck, rotation, or lying flat to watch television, yet improve when looking directly upward. - Other symptoms include POTS-like manifestations (heat sensitivity, fluctuations in blood pressure, and difficulty with physical activity), exacerbated pain when standing for more than thirty minutes, severe cognitive fog, and swollen, reddened hands, alongside rising inflammation markers with ANA and Lyme tests returning negative results. A new diagnosis of RF-negative rheumatoid arthritis has also been established. **Challenges in My Medical Journey:** - The neurosurgery nurse practitioner merely suggested a flexion-extension X-ray to check for cranio-cervical instability. - I inquired about the possibility of an upright MRI with flexion/rotation, or at the very least dynamic venous Doppler studies for jugular assessment, but those requests were denied. - My concern is that focusing solely on bony issues might overlook potential soft tissue or vascular compressions. A request for a referral was met with resistance, leaving me feeling imprisoned in a cycle of inadequate evaluation. **Seeking Your Expertise:** 1. Considering the information provided, do my symptoms align more with a potential obstruction in venous outflow (such as jugular vein compression), cranio-cervical instability, or some other positional neurovascular phenomenon? What tests should I advocate for? 2. What strategies can I employ to engage healthcare professionals regarding this intricate and uncommon health presentation in a manner that fosters curiosity rather than defensiveness? As a seasoned RN with over a decade of experience, I previously identified my IIH correctly, yet I fear being perceived as just another overly-inquisitive patient. While I understand that online research is not a substitute for professional expertise, I cannot afford to spend additional years feeling overlooked. Any advice you could offer would be immensely appreciated.
Struggling with Sleep Post Forearm Surgery
Two years ago, I experienced a fracture in my forearm, which ultimately healed quite well, aside from one section that mended improperly. This misalignment has posed challenges for me, particularly in boxing and during workouts, as I find it difficult to fully rotate my arm. Additionally, I’ve been unable to perform bench press exercises effectively. On August 13th, I underwent surgery to address this issue, involving the placement of a plate and several screws. Despite making efforts to elevate my arm using pillows to prevent any movement or discomfort, I still face difficulties in achieving restful sleep. I can rarely manage to sleep for more than two hours at a time before waking up due to a dull pain, which I would rate as a 2 out of 10. Each time I wake, I have to reposition my arm, and this cycle continues throughout the night. I feel uneasy about rotating my arm or keeping it fully extended upward. If anyone has insights or solutions to my situation, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you! 🙏 *For context, I am a 15-year-old male, measuring 180 cm in height and weighing 57 kg. I do not smoke and have no known health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.*
Understanding Toenail Concerns: Is It Melanoma?
For the past 12 to 14 days, I’ve noticed a small dark spot centrally located beneath my toenail, roughly the size of a BB. Curiously, it hasn't appeared to grow along with my nail, raising concerns about the possibility of melanoma. As a 32-year-old man of Caucasian descent, weighing 130 pounds and standing at 5 feet 8 inches, with blonde hair and blue eyes, I don't have any known family history of skin cancer from either side of my family. I currently do not take any daily medications or prescriptions, although I do use nicotine pouches regularly; apart from that, I have no other habits involving substances. Unfortunately, I lack insurance until January of next year, which prevents me from easily consulting a dermatologist. That’s why I’m turning to this platform for guidance and information. The spot in question is unlike the black or brown streaks commonly associated with melanoma cases; it’s simply a single dot. Besides this, I haven’t noticed any other unusual moles or skin discolorations on my feet, between my toes, or on the soles. My remaining toenails and fingernails appear perfectly normal and healthy. I cannot recall any incident of having stubbed my toe or subjected it to trauma severe enough to cause a blood bruise beneath the nail. I first spotted the dot after a shower about two weeks ago. There's no pain associated with it, and my toe doesn’t exhibit any signs of inflammation, redness, infection, or fungal issues. These factors add to my anxiety over the potential for it being cancerous. I would greatly appreciate any insights you might provide regarding this matter. Thank you!