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jerseycaptive
member
How to cover mic-key button for the pool?
jerseycaptive
member
Hey all!
It's been a while since I've posted or even been on the boards, but I have a question.
My lil' guy is starting summer school / summer camp soon. He'll get a opportunity to go into the pool. He has a mic-key button. I wonder if there is a way to cover his mic-key button so he can enjoy himself in the pool.
Thanks.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: How to cover mic-key button for the pool?
DD also has a (low-profile) Mic-Key. There's no reason at all to cover it. The balloon will keep it in place without any additional outside "gear" and the closure should be snug enough to not leak. If it were leaking or periodically popping open, you'd want to switch it out for a new one regardless of the pool. DD has worn her two-piece with her mic-key exposed several times. I find it a bit easier to use the two piece for when we're going to the beach (versus a pool) and will need to do more frequent "drinks" than usual to keep her hydrated in the sun.
With that said, if your little guy has the "standard" button instead of the low-profile button or if enjoys playing with/tugging his mic-key and you're concerned that he will pull it out or just don't care for the social stigma of it, there are lots of water shirts available that are made with SPF/UPF (?) to protect your LO's skin while in the sun. They fit snugger than a regular shirt and in many cases they come in a set to match your swim trunks or swim suit. We found swim shirts at Baby Gap and Janie and Jack last year. Target also sells them. If you can't find a water shirt, a simple tank or athletic shirt would look pretty "typical" for a young kid to wear as well.
As a side note, I noticed that your DS has a trach in the picture in your siggy. DD was able to get de-cannulated last Fall, but still has a partially open stoma. At this point, our pulmonologist has said that we can go swimming as long as we cover it. We've been using activ-flex and tagederm for the bath and haven't had an issue yet, but we start swim lessons next week. Out of curiousity, has he also been decannulated and/or is his stoma closed all the way? Do you have any additional suggestions for keeping the opening protected in the water?
Hope he has fun at camp!
DS has a low-profile mic-key. However, his GI told us, it cannot be submerged in water (when we bathe him, the water is below the mic-key).
I'm not sure a two-piece would good on my son.
Though he is a cutie. I'm having trouble finding swimming shirts or rashguards. Thanks for the Janie and Jack recommendation. I completely forgot about that store. Haven't seen anything at Gap, Children's Place, or Gymboree.
Do you think I could really use tagaderm for the pool or do you think that would be too painful when removing (I've never used it)? Would you cover just the mic-key, or have the y-port / connector connected?
DS still has his trach. The only suggestion we've received was to use a trach cover. Sorry. Wished I had a better suggestion.
I'm sorry, but this statement makes me extremely uncomfortable. My daughter has a trach and I cannot imagine trying to swim with her. When you say trach cover, do you mean an HME or a coaler that covers up the entire trach and stoma? If you are talking about an HME, how will you prevent the water from getting in his stoma? He could still aspirate. I'm sorry, I just couldn't leave this post without saying something.
No worries. My son is not swimming. He's just getting in a small kiddie pool, and I'm just looking for an extra measure to protect his mic-key should water get above his mic-key.
Also, my son's trach is capped. We're prepping for decannulation in autumn. That picture is 2 years old. Hey, it's been a while since I've been here.
The trach cover I was describing is like a plastic, trach shower cover / almost like a bib. That was directed at the first mommy whose daughter is decannulated. Men who have been decannulated use it when they're shaving, because they sometimes they still have a little stoma or an incomplete closing and the bib prevents little hairs from irritating that sensitive area.
:-)
No experience with mic key here, but plenty with tega derm. It is a waterproof covering (we have used it successfully in the pool on my son). However, if your son has sensitive skin, like mine does, it may not be the best option. It always leaves his skin irritated and, if left on too long, he gets a rash. It really sticks on there!
We get in the pool all the time with the mic-key button and do not cover it and we've not had any problems (and that's full on in the pool).
For what you're describing, no need to cover it, but as always, check with your GI doc.
Also, if you use tegaderm or any other sticky adhesive covers, I highly recommend getting adhesive remover to take them off. You can get adhesive remover pads. I keep a stash of them and they are wonderful for any tape from various medical needs. We went through a time where we had to tape DS's extension down every night and these things were like gold in a package!
No need to cover! We just got back from a beach vacation and we didnt even do any special covering w/ the ocean water and sand. DS just wore his regular swimming trunks and a rash guard top for part of the trip and then after a day of that we got him a wetsuit but that was b/c he has difficulty with body temp regulation.
I specifically asked our GI surgeon about this at the last follow up appointment since my son has only had his gtube since mid-April. He said that the g-tube stoma is not a sterile site and it is similar to any other opening in your body (nose, mouth, anus, etc.) He said that kids get germs and sand in their stomach from accidentally ingesting it and they are fine (unless your LO is immuno-compromised or something). Our surgeon said that it was fine for Nick to be in a pool, beach/ocean and even a lake! We didnt have any problems- no swim shirt would be necessary either but we just do that normally for sun protection so thats why we did it. Nick has had both a mic-key button and now has a low profile AMT-mini. HTH!