Health Info #5

Daily Routine
The skin, mouth and rectum are especially prone to irritation during transplant and will require special care for comfort and to prevent infection.

Skin Care
Everyone has germs on their skin that can cause an infection. Good skin care is an essential part of preventing infections. Your child will need to shower or wash every day using antibacterial soap. We can provide the soap or you may bring a brand of soap you prefer. Daily washing is very important even on days when you do not feel like it. Moisturizing lotion is helpful after the daily bath to prevent drying.

Mouth Care
You will need mouth care 4 times a day beginning at admission. Your nurse will go over the procedure with you. This procedure may chage and be done more often if severe mouth sores develop. When the mouth is healing well, it may be decreased. The nurses will check your mouth several times a day for signs of infection. Let them know of any pain or discomfort. Transplant patients should not drink hospital tap water or ice made from it. You will be given bottles of sterile water for drinking and mouth care.

Peri-Anal Care
Gentle, thorough cleaning needs to be done after every bowel movement. This is especially important if the child is having diarrhea or frequent bowel movements. Pat gently rather than wiping. Pat dry with a clean wipe. A barrier ointment should be used after each cleaning.

Bleeding Precautions
To prevent bleeding, you need to take some special precautions to protect your child. Adolescents should use electric razors instead of blade razors. Discourage child from blowing or picking nose. Keep fingernails trimmed or filed short. make sure your child wears slippers or shoes when out of bed.

Activity
Allow rest for 15-20 min between activites. Encourage him/her to move slowly from lying to sitting to standing so he/she wont' get dizzy. Encourage to stay as active as possible.