Mighty Well
  • Shop
  • Learn
  • Journal
  • Join Us
  • Who We Are

Mighty Well

  • Shop
  • Learn
  • Journal
  • Join Us
  • Who We Are
Uncategorized

Caring For Your PICC Line: our top 4 tips

by Ariela Paulsen October 27, 2020August 3, 2021
written by Ariela Paulsen
Caring For Your PICC Line: our top 4 tips

Any medical device comes with risks and fears. PICC lines, while safer alternatives for those needing frequent IV treatments, do come with risk of complications.

The good news is that how you take care of your PICC can make a world of difference!  We have asked our Friends in the Fight, over the years, for their tips and tricks. Here are some highlights:

1. test out different PICC line dressings

A lot of people, like myself, have issues with adhesive allergies, so if the first dressing you have causes a rash or skin irritation, don’t fret! There are lots of different see-through dressings to try. From Tegaderm to IV 3000 and beyond, your PICC care nurse or doctor who placed the line should be able to help you find a solution. If you can’t tolerate any adhesive, they can do something called a dry dressing. Don’t worry if you have issues at first with your line; the healthcare world is huge, and there are lots of options out there! 

2. keep it clean and dry

PICC lines are like a portal to the inside of your body. It is a medical miracle to be able to access such important blood vessels without needles, but it’s important to also remember that the reason our skin is there is to protect us from infection. Keep it covered (see #5!) and talk to your doctor about the best way to change dressings and administer treatments. Medical professionals will be taking care of you along the way. Make sure you (and your medical providers) keep your hands and products clean before touching your PICC line or changing dressings. Since bacteria love moisture, be sure to keep your PICC line dry at all times.

Check out tips for showering here!

3. know the risks and how to prevent them

There are other risks besides infection, such as blood clots, air embolisms, and the line getting dislodged. Check out tips here for avoiding these complications, and be sure to ask your doctor if you have questions.

On that note…

4. when in doubt, ask your team!

Medical devices require frequent care and questions.  Your team will tell you how to care for your specific device, but it’s easy to forget or feel unsure once you are home. Don’t be afraid to reach out with a phone call or portal message! Even if your question does not pose an immediate health risk, having an answer will help you feel more comfortable and cared for.

5. wear a PICC line cover

To make this time easier for yourself, consider getting a PICCPerfect PICC line cover! It is easy to use, and comes in a variety of patterns and sizes. Its features are built to keep your PICC line safe:

  1. Antimicrobial fabric wards off infection
  2. Anti-slip edges keep your line safe and secure while sleeping (even if you move around a lot!)
  3. Soft-touch fabric keeps you comfortable while providing protection from the younger family members or pets you may be cooped up with

For more information on sizing, features, or a video demonstration, click here.

For more PICC line advice, check out what to expect during PICC placement, what not to do with a PICC line, protecting your PICC line, and more!  Or, join the Friends in the Fight facebook group to find out what other patients are doing to keep their PICC lines safe and comfortable!


Shop the PICCPerfect


Got more questions about PICC Lines? Join us in our Friends in the Fight Group ;to connect with our community.
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Ariela Paulsen

Ari struggled with a wide array of health problems for decades before being diagnosed with EDS/POTS/MCAS/etc at age 25. She began writing as a way to heal while spreading information and helping others through their own journeys. She loves being part of the Mighty Well team, sharing the stories and strengths of spoonies everywhere!

previous post
Superheroes Wear Masks
next post
Comfort Food: 4 tips from our Friends in the Fight

You may also like

Traveling With A Picc Line: Our Top Tips

January 25, 2017

Conversations on COVID-19 with CEO and co-founder, Emily...

April 10, 2020

Meet Mighty Model, Max Logan: Athlete, Lyme patient,...

February 4, 2019

How The Mighty Pack Gives More Freedom to...

December 19, 2018

Life, Illness, and Impact: Conversations with Julian Van...

April 3, 2019

New Year Goal Setting Strategies for Chronic Illness...

December 31, 2018

Chronic illness COVID-19 survival guide

April 30, 2020

Meet Mighty Mentee and Epilepsy Warrior: Zachary

March 8, 2019

Finding Purpose Despite the Challenges of Chronic Illness

December 28, 2018

Meet Mighty Model: Sarah Dame, Rare Disease Advocate...

March 29, 2019

About Us

Hi, We're Mighty Well.

The mission of Mighty Well is to help patients and their caregivers turn sickness into strength. We are leading the global charge that changes the perception of patients from victims to fighters. We do this by improving the experience of being a patient. We create the products we wish we’d had: functional and stylish apparel and accessories that you can wear with confidence - and content that can help you get through the good times and the bad. It’s wellness you can wear.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Instagram

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Recent Posts

  • 3 Tactics For Managing Anxiety Attacks

    May 19, 2022
  • Top 3 Digital Medication Organizers

    May 13, 2022
  • 7 Things I Wish I’d Known About Motherhood With Chronic Illness

    May 5, 2022
  • Self Care Case: What do you carry?

    April 21, 2022
  • 5 Tips for Navigating Chronic Illness With Executive Function Challenges

    April 7, 2022

Categories

  • Adaptive Wear
  • Chronic Illness
  • Featured
  • Friends in the Fight
  • General Wellness
  • Healthy Work Environments
  • Lyme Disease
  • Medical Devices
  • Mightier Together
  • Mighty Models
  • PICC Line
  • Popular Posts
  • Relationships and Support
  • The Undefeated
  • Treatment and Care
  • Uncategorized

Tags Cloud

Adulting Be Your Own Advocate blm Cancer Chronic Illness coronavirus coronoavirus covid-19 Daily Brain Fog Fix Diabetes Dysautonomia EDS feeding tube Feeding Tubes feeding tube supplies Fibromyalgia Gastroparesis holidays how does a feeding tube work immuno hoodie invisible illnesses Living Mighty Well Living With a PICC Living with a Port lyme disease Medications MedPlanner mental health Mental Illness mighty mask Mighty Pack mighty well mask Misdiagnosed neurodiversity New Years Organization Tips PICC PICC line cover PICCPerfect POTS Self-love self care case Support Systems TPN Tube Feeding

Our Story

Mighty Well - Founder - Emily Levy - Our Story

 

It all started with a cut off sock, a cute hockey player, and an 8 AM finance class. Oh, and a PICC Line. That moment inspired us to launch our first product, the PICCPerfect PICC Line Cover.

 

We know it stinks to feel defined by a diagnosis or feel like just a name on a doctor’s chart. Sounds like you? Read how our founder turned sickness into strength.

Recent Posts

  • 3 Tactics For Managing Anxiety Attacks

    May 19, 2022
  • Top 3 Digital Medication Organizers

    May 13, 2022
  • 7 Things I Wish I’d Known About Motherhood With Chronic Illness

    May 5, 2022

Join the Fight

Mighty Well's Facebook Page

Find us on Instagram

mightywell_

One positive that came out of the pandemic was tha One positive that came out of the pandemic was that many of us were able to have flexible working arrangements. As more states lift restrictions, heading back to work after months of working from home can be a huge adjustment for so many of us. Allowing time in our schedules for commuting, brushing up on our social skills, and making sure to have access to our medical supplies are just a few things we need to prepare for.

📸 Mighty Well ambassador @ameliablackwater headed back to the classroom last week and is working on finding a happy balance of working, socializing, and finding time for herself. 

If you've returned to work, what was the hardest part about making the transition back? 
.
.

#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #Autism #WFH #RemoteWork #Telecommute #MightyWellMask #Pandemic
Before you move forward always be sure to check th Before you move forward always be sure to check the price tag 💵
.
.
#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Anxiety #Depression #PTSD
Life is full of uncertainties. But there will alwa Life is full of uncertainties. But there will always be a sunrise after every sunset 🌅

"The only certainty in life is uncertainty. I challenge you to embrace it. Even if it's just for a bit" ~@kali_rarerootedwarrior ☺️

Featuring: The Mighty Pack & Undefeated Hat
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #Gastroparesis #EDS #MastCellDisease
We really love this message from @lizandmollie. In We really love this message from @lizandmollie. In fact, we couldn't have said it better ourselves 🤗 Chronic illness is filled with ups and downs and everyday will look a little different. Know that you're doing your best even on the days that you are flaring, in pain or fatigued. Remember that we are here to support you on the good days, the bad days and all the ones in between 💚 
. 
.
#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #ChronicFatigue #MultipleSclerosis #Lupus #SickleCellAnemia #Endometriosis #POTS
Going into a medical procedure is always a little Going into a medical procedure is always a little scary. The best way to minimize fear and anxiety is to go in as prepared as you can! If you are feeling nervous for an upcoming PICC line placement procedure, head to our latest blog (link in bio) for some confidence boosting tips so you can feel ready to go! 

📷 Friend in the Fight @zebrajemma loves her PICCPerfect PICC Line Cover. It keeps her PICC line in place without adhesives and is so comfortable 🤗
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #IVIG
You can hardly wait to tell everyone what happened You can hardly wait to tell everyone what happened and  suddenly start talking and realize you don't know where the story is going...has this happened to anyone else lately 🙋‍♂️We've been there! Brain fog, perhaps the most universal aspect of illness, is exhausting. Cognitive disorders can be frustrating but take solace in knowing that you are not alone. We've all experienced that foggy feeling 🌫 and although it's not permanent, it can arrive quickly and definitely overstay its welcome. 

Looking for a little help getting the fog to lift? Our Brain Fog Fix Planner is more than just a reminder system. It includes space to track daily symptoms, hydration, thoughts and moments of gratitude amidst the daily challenges and is brought to you with input from our Friends in the Fight® Click the link in our bio to find out more. 
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #BrainFog #ChronicFatigue #CognitiveDisorder
We've got your back! Our Mighty Pack is the first We've got your back! Our Mighty Pack is the first medical backpack designed by patients, for patients. Our backpack is perfect for wheelchair users, as it has multiple strap locations to allow for flexibility. Nobody needs to know that you are carrying or wearing your essential medical devices and supplies. As patients ourselves, this is a product that we wish we’d had! 💪💚 Best of all this can be purchased with most FSAs (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) Click on the photo to take a look inside the Mighty Pack. 

📹 We are all smiles over this video of Mighty Well ambassador @rebellious_story & her dog Sherlock 😍
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #Community #Health #Wellness #ButYouDontLookSick #InvisibleIllness #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #LivingwithChronicIllness #Crohns #InfusionPump #MedicalBackpack #DiabeticLife #Gastroparesis #EnteralNutrition #Wheelchair #Tubefeeding #MedicalSupplies #TubeFed
The school year is quickly coming to a close and w The school year is quickly coming to a close and we wanted to send a Mighty shout out to all the students who worked so hard this year despite the challenges of COVID 🙌 We know that it was a challenging year with limited in-person learning, social distancing, and the requirement of face masks. We are so proud of all of you and you should be too! 💚

📸 Featuring The Mighty Well Mask
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #Pandemic #HomeSchool #Graduation #SocialDistancing
I’m proud to be trans and I’m proud to be disa I’m proud to be trans and I’m proud to be disabled — because you can’t put a boundary on being yourself ~@thedisabledhippie
 
Happy Pride Month to all of our Friends in the Fight in the LBGTQIA+ community 🏳️‍🌈
.
.
#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #Pride #LBGTQ #Transgender #LoveisLove #NonBinary #BiSexual #GayPride #Instalove
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin

Mighty Well © 2018 All Rights Reserved


Back To Top