itchy residents

gwenith, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2003

Originally posted by Nancy45
thanks for your reply adrienurse. I see a lot of people have seen my post but only one reply.

Don't go on the number of "hits" you get Nancy - this site gets Googled so the hits might be from people outside the forum - possibly your DON searching the net for answers????:chuckle

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2003

I know we talked about laudry soap but what about their bath soap. Happens to us to around this time of year and every so often. Turns out the Provon soap was to harsh and we switched the itch dry folks to Dove soap. Worked for us..I know I need more moisture in the winter..

Nancy45 · Dec 12, 2003

Sorry for the long absence. I did a lot of digging. Finally I was told the Don doesn't want to get a dermatologist involved because we'd be reported. So the NP is treating the residets with lotrisone and atarax!!! She says when this doesn't work she well take the list and give it to the DON to make her take action. Well... I'm not giving it much longer, I found another bit of red rash and scabs on another resident today. A CNA was reporting a bruise ( we have to fill out a six page incident report for bruises, new wounds or skin tears) and I saw the patch. So did the woman's daughter. Most of the nurses are just rolling their eyes and making loud jokes because they are now aware of the problem and very frustrated. I know this is not going on much longer because it's in the open. We're charting on everything and showing the Dr. all the rashes. Well, thank for giving me the confidence so I could start the word rolling. I'm a float so I always seem to be stepping on toes when I go after long term problems that haven't been addressed. But I love to fix people up. You know?

Mithrah · Dec 12, 2003

After looking up "winter itch" on google (aka xeroderma) it looks like 10% of the population gets this. In fact, this explains why I have been so itchy lately myself. I thought it was my dryer sheets, but in fact it is the rapid change to cold, dry temperatures that has caused my discomfort. The treatment is to apply non frageranced lotion (Aveeno is recommended), avoid hot showers, and take antihistamines.

sassynurse78 · Dec 17, 2003

Thanx for the info on "winter itch". We just had scabies in our facility about five months ago, and treated everybody. Now it seems like when a person gets an itch or rash everyone thinks thats what it is again. we have two pts with dry skin like symptoms and I will share this info at work.

florry · Jan 6, 2004

hello!

Very usefull replies you have got here; One thing: if this is geriatric nursing, my experience beside USE A LOT O LOTION AND ALLMOND OIL IN THE SHOWER/BAATH; THE OTHER THING:

morphin and morhinderivater or painkillers with opiater give itching by some patiens. When itching com, its easy way for pus and bacteria.

Even if they have not reacted earlier, they suddenly can get sush a respond. Doses: (often more) of tramadol, nobligan.

But I think the Doctor at least should call a dermatologist! If not, he is neglecting his duty!!

florry · Jan 6, 2004

Sorry: my english is not that good, but Hope you understand! I am learning a lot from you all!

lastkiss32 · Jan 6, 2004

wash on our itchy people and Benadryl at night if the itching is severe- we checked everything also and this works for ours

Sarah, RNBScN · Jan 31, 2004

Check to make sure they aren't having high levels of BUN, creat,

that can cause some of them to have really itchy skin. Also, atarax is a good medication for itchiness but can be dangerous for someone with impaired renal function. It should be started on low dose to begin with and monitor patient closely. The elderly would be at risk ... on this ...medication.

florry · Jan 31, 2004

If I remember wright, Atarax is not a useful medication for itching in geriatrich medicin.

A dermatologist I haven spoken to, said that you have to take bactus, virus, spongues and any test before you TREAT something you dont know what is. I understand the difficulties with the MD who maybe want to wait and see....

From Florry

Purple Princess · Jul 10, 2004

Within the past couple weeks we discovered that all the residents of 1 intermediate has scabies!!! All itching like crazy. And of all times to get them in the summer time. We can only give showers once a week at our nursing home. When I heard about it I sorta felt itchy :chuckle Of course I know it's no fun to have them but it's just sorta funny. And one resident was recently moved to the skilled side and still being treated for scabies. I had to apply the alimite lotion last night. Poor guy didn't quite understand why I had to put it in all his nooks and crannies. I guess it helps with the itching and hopefully gets rid of the bugs. I just hope these residents don't get it.

florry · Jul 11, 2004

Within the past couple weeks we discovered that all the residents of 1 intermediate has scabies!!! All itching like crazy. And of all times to get them in the summer time. We can only give showers once a week at our nursing home. When I heard about it I sorta felt itchy :chuckle Of course I know it's no fun to have them but it's just sorta funny. And one resident was recently moved to the skilled side and still being treated for scabies. I had to apply the alimite lotion last night. Poor guy didn't quite understand why I had to put it in all his nooks and crannies. I guess it helps with the itching and hopefully gets rid of the bugs. I just hope these residents don't get it.

Oh, my goodness! That was/is not an easy situation! And so much extra work ,and pain for the residents! I am no working with contagious deceases, and have learned the need of detecting the reasen for some symptomes. Do you know where or when the scabies come from? Du you have pets as cats, dog, birds or any other animals? You cant get rid of it if you dont know where it comes from. (ps: Medical Doctors can be very hard to working with sometimes. Some of them think they are better wisser....and the nurse dont know anything.....).