Sticky poop...I need some tips!

[bwenzrn]

I have an older pt with m.d., he takes Miralax for his bowels...but it makes everything sooooooooooooooo...sticky!!!! It would be bad enough to clean off a cute baby tush.....but this an adult hairy bottom. I end up using a lot of wipes and t.p. (family/pt. doesn't want wash cloth and soap used) any handy tips to make this clean up easier???

[bwenzrn]

Laughing now...You guys have had great ideas!!! Thank you so much.I love the shaving his butt part...but think my alert and oriented x 4 20 year old patient would object loudly!!!!!!! I am thinking I will try the shaving cream trick first since that sounds like I might get that by the patients limits...and now time for morning cares (where I am allowed soap, water and a wash cloth...oh boy!!!!!) Before this case I had no clue that is was what Miralax could do!!!!!!!

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Battery

Not saying I agree that shaving someone should be a big deal- just know that where I worked in TX, it was common knowledge that without permission, it can be prosecuted ....:) No need for someone to get in trouble if they can just ask....

Sounds like this guy can speak for himself :)

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Maybe you could talk the MD into miralax every other day? Is it a daily BM you're after, or are you addressing a hard bm? Maybe colace instead?

My ideas: aloe gel (heals the skin and makes you slick as a watermelon seed, I use it after a sun burn), any kind of lanolin based cream.

Don't know where you work, if you can order stuff or the family brings it, but I'd try to get them to bring something like bag balm, udder balm, or a diaper cream. Those things work great, and you don't know how badly I've wanted to sneak some into the hospital when we were out...

[Aurora77]

Lube his butt with oil next time he's cleaned up....think spray oil on a baking sheet, and the cookies sliding off...same principle

Oh my goodness, the visual!

[JamiR369]

as a former CNA / Endo tech, we use regular body lotion while cleaning sticky poop. Works like a charm quick and easily found :yelclap:

[MomRN0913]

petroleum jelly works good.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

We use alot of Miralax and I've never heard of sticky stools with it???

If he is inct, you should be using some type of barrier cream to begin with. If there are no issues with skin integrity at the present...good old cheap A & D will solve your problem. It is greasy and would keep it from sticking.

Yrs ago we used a product called ILex on excoriated skin...When you used it correctly it was great..apply the paste then cover with your barrier creams...don't rub off the ilex. When you wanted to remove the Ilex..use mineral oil.

So...mineral oil or baby oil might be a good way to get off the skicky stools too.

Ask the family why they only want TP and wipes to be used. If it is a home care situtation, they probably don't want to do the laundry on those???

The shaving cream is a good suggestion and works and it is great when cleaning up the smelliest things BUT..it can hurt the skin (maybe not the ones with moisturizers and the newer formulas) so you need to be careful with that.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Clean with this stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/ConvaTec-Sensi-Care-Perineal-Skin-Cleanser/dp/B000P9YNGS/ref=pd_sim_hpc2

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=147859

Then apply this stuff when done cleaning.

http://www.amazon.com/ConvaTec-325614-SENSI-CARE-BARRIER-4OZ/dp/B000VWSL94/ref=pd_sim_bt1

[wooh, BSN, RN]

I'm not so sure it's miralax causing the sticky. More often iron does it.

But great suggestions. I wouldn't go with shaving a butt. Last thing you need is an ingrown hair getting infected down there.

So I've used shaving cream in the past, with great results. But since then I've heard that the alcohol in it is irritating. Any thoughts on that? It's rare that I get big hairy butts anymore (one of the benefits of peds!) but curious for when those do occasionally come through. :)

[Txnursekristi]

Wow...I wouldn't do well in home care! I would probably be quickly fired for telling the family "Either I"m using a washcloth and soap and water, or you're cleaning it up." Good thing i don't do home care!!

[kool-aide, RN]

If this pt is incontinent, which he probably is, I think shaving his butt(at least with a safety razor, electric razor may be a different story) would be a horrible horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible idea. I think that would just cause him to develop bed sores. Get some of the wipes and soak them in warm soapy water and lay them on the sticky poo...It will loosen right up! I agree with finishing up his pericare with a nice coating of baby oil. That'll grease him right up!

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

Laughing now...You guys have had great ideas!!! Thank you so much.I love the shaving his butt part...but think my alert and oriented x 4 20 year old patient would object loudly!!!!!!! I am thinking I will try the shaving cream trick first since that sounds like I might get that by the patients limits...and now time for morning cares (where I am allowed soap, water and a wash cloth...oh boy!!!!!) Before this case I had no clue that is was what Miralax could do!!!!!!!

just wondering, why did you say in your first post that he was an "older" patient, then say he was 20 years old? I'm confused.. i was picturing and old man butt the whole thread. haha. maybe you do peds and this is considered an older patient for you?

sorry just curious.