I have tried many types of bandages and other covers and she always can get them off so that she can "pick".
She does the same thing with her "Stat-Loc" that holds her catheter in place, usually it is pulled off in 24 to 48 hours. When I ask her what happened to it, she says "It fell off?"
Any help with either or both of these ongoing problems would be of great help.
out of his body. Just an idea. Good luck!
Scratching leads to more scratching. It gets itchier and itchier until it become addictive.
The picking may also be somewhat instinctive, especially if she has a hard time healing. When wounds are in a non-healing cycle, sometimes the medical treatment is actually having a nurse or doctor pick the scab for you— this is wound debridement.
So to address of these causes, before bed, put pure bacitracin on her wounds. It is greasy like petroleum jelly so it will relieve the pulling skin tightness and discomfort. It works better than neosporin and is less expensive. It will also aid in healing while she sleeps so it may get her farther along the not-yet-healing/picking cycle. Cover with a bandaid to prevent it from all ending up on the sheets.
Doing the day, give her tasks that keep her hands busy. Painting something, sorting something, drawing or coloring, folding laundry. You have to “retrain” her from going back to the scratching as entertainment.
Just a guess, but it is possible she may be suffering a neurosis called dermatillomania, a condition that's somewhat similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder and it would be highly advised you seek medical help. If a physical cause has been ruled out by her doctor, she may need to see a therapist. One such intervention is behavior therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
I hope your wife feels more comfortable, very soon.
White cotton gloves? - though I expect she'll just take them off, won't she.
No, you can't tie her hands up. Tempting; but not so much "unorthodox" as "will have APS on your doorstep before you've finished the second knot."
Yes, all of her doctors are well aware of this. as this is not something new but has been going on as long as we have been married, 37 years last month,
I alternate A & D ointment with another petroleum jelly product. If the areas become inflamed, I also add an antibiotic ointment.
She is not delusional as yet, but with vascular dementia that may well be in the future.
She has been being treated by a psychiatrist since our second year of marriage and is on several Psych meds for her depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
I have tried many different fiidget blankets, dolls, stuffed animals, and other homemade items.
Different types of dressings have not proved to be a long lasting solution. She usually pulls them off within 2 to 4 hours.
OCD seems like a solid diagnoses brought on by anxiety.
Reminding her or posting notes only makes her mad and increases the problems.
I am not trying to put down all of your suggestions and as you can see, I have tried most if not all. I will continue to see if someone has anything that I have not tried.
Thanks for all of you great replies. Although you have not been able to help me, you may well have helped others who visit the site regularly but never post questions or answers.
We are talking about a woman, who with only one hand, non-dominate, has pulled her catheter loose from the bag at least 5 times.
Also many nights she tears her diaper and/or disposal pads apart to the point that the floor looks like it snowed during the night.
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