PICC rash

Well today my nurse came for her weekly visit to change the PICC dressing. I mentioned to her that my arm has been crazy itchy and showed her the rash around the edge of the bandage. She took a look and said that it wasn't normal and then took off the bandage. Yikes. There was quite the rash under the dressing with the worst right where the line enters my arm. So she said that I may be allergic to the adhesive and put a different type of dressing on me after cleaning the rash with alcohol- OUCH! Unfortunately since this type of dressing isn't see-through my nurse will need to come twice a week to change the dressing since I am unable to see the site and watch for signs of infection. To make matters more interesting I have also developed an awful rash on my neck on the same side as my PICC. I showed my nurse and she wasnt sure to make of it and told me to call my doctor. So I went ahead and called and the doctor was a bit concerned since my rash starts right above the collar bone which is where the catheter runs through the vein. He is optimistic that it is just a coincidence that I have the rash since it is spreading up my neck and not down my chest but is slightly worried that it is a sign of infection. He wants to see me tomorrow and check it out. I pray that it is not an infection because if it is, the line needs to come out immediately and can be pretty serious. That would mean getting a PICC in the other arm which makes me want to cry. I am thinking since it is more itchy than painful and spreading the other direction, it is just an allergic reaction but I hope we can get this figured out soon!