How do I take care of the skin around my nephrostomy catheter?
A.Because the catheter is on your back, you will need help. Follow these instructions unless your doctor specifies otherwise: • Keep the skin around your nephrostomy catheter dry. You can take showers, but cover the area with plastic wrap. Tape the edges of the plastic wrap to your skin so that water cannot get under it. If the area does get wet, dry the skin completely after your shower. • Keep the skin around your nephrostomy catheter clean. Clean the area every day or every other day with a cotton swab that has been moistened with peroxide. Always wash your hands before you clean the catheter site. • Keep the skin around your nephrostomy catheter covered. After cleaning the skin of the catheter insertion site, cover the area with a clean bandage or dressing. Change the dressing if it gets wet.
