How to clean trach tie chain??

[Jack'smom]

I was inspired by previous threads to give the chain a try. I bought the dog-tag type chain, rust-proof. My question is how do I disinfect the chain? I would like to do this before use and at each trach change (assuming I am rotating two chains). Do you use a hydrogen peroxide soak or acidic acid?

Also, how do you measure the tightness of the chain? We were taught to be able to put only one finger between the tie and the neck but we modified this to two fingers. Did you find you used the same measurement system for the chain? I am worried when he gets upset it will be too tight because it doesn't have give like the velcro ties.

Thanks :)

[madelyn and rynns mom]

I use antibacterial soap and water to clean them then lay on clean towel to air dry fully. And we use the same rule to adjust the chains here.

Love Kris:inlove:

[alizesmom]

In total abject shame I admit that I don't clean the chain. It gets washed every time he does and dries quickly. :o We just adjust to about the same as the trach ties. Karen

[Becky]

In total abject shame I admit that I don't clean the chain. It gets washed every time he does and dries quickly. :o We just adjust to about the same as the trach ties. Karen

Heh, Karen don't feel bad. Your not alone on that one. I'm the same way. I don't really ever wash them except when I take a shower, and like you the chain drys quickly. For that matter, I don't ever change mine either(I do change my trach, I just use the same chain with every trach), I've been using the same chain for years, of course I'm done growing, so my neck isn't getting any bigger either.

Becky

[nad_d]

hi,

i use a rope, but its not comfortable.

nadav.

[TanyaLea]

We just buy bathtub chain from a hardware store and change it once a week. That way I don't have to fiddle around with cleaning it at all...just throw out the old one.

[drct1245]

We just soak it in hydrogen peroxide and rinse. We actually use the 1 finger rule for both kinds of trach holders. It usually takes me about 3 tries to get the right length. :p FYI - Those 2 chains won't last long! We usually had to get a new one about every other week at Jack's age! :)
Good job on trying something new... sometimes it can be hard.

[Ola]

I am curious, what can be the advantage of a chain over ties like Pedi Ducks?
If this is repetitive, could you refer me to the relevant thread?

[Jack'smom]

We just put Jackson's chain on last night. We think he looks very "punk rock". Here are the advantages I see:
1. Most people just change the chain at each trach change instead of every day - and they don't stay wet after baths, which requires another tie change. Since Jack HATES the daily tie change so we are excited about cutting this.
2. No more funky smell - Jackson always has a slight smell of rotting flesh when you nuzzle his neck from the skin breakdown underneth the ties - worse if we don't bathe him everyday and wash under there.
3. And of course he looks "punk rock"!!!

[Becky]

I wanted to share with you all a trach chain that I made. I made it espically for my wedding day to serve two purposes. One to be my necklace because of my trach I don't wear a normal necklace, and because I didn't want just my plain silver dog tag chain on for my wedding. I had to have something almost as beautiful as my wedding dress. I had so much fun picking out beads and making it! I have to give credit where credit is due tho, if it wasn't for Kris(Rynn and Maddy's mom) and her directions I wouldn't of probably been able to do it. Thanks Kris!

Becky

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/Munchkinette73/trachchaintwo.jpg

[Alethia]

Once Angus is off the vent for good, I will leap at chains and embrace them fully. :) If I wanted to sterilise them I'd give them a good boil for 5-10 minutes. I got surgical steel chains from Scoop so they can be boiled or autoclaved no probs.

[Jack'smom]

That is really a beautiful chain. Even nicer than my wedding necklace!!

[MOMOFFAITH]

Can I ask for the thread to Kris's directions for the trach necklace?

The 2 times I tried to make the necklace, it was always too small or too big. I even got my mom (resident seamstress that hems and adjusts) to help my measure and redo- to no avail!

I got so frustrated -also thinking wow- she will pull her trach out- something is really wrong...I finally just put it down and haven't looked at it again since!

frustrated-but willing to try again:o

Charity

[nad_d]

very nice necklace :)

[Becky]

Here is the post with the directions on how to make the trach necklaces.

Trach Chain/Necklace Directions (http://www.tracheostomy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8347)

Have fun and I hope it helps you!

Becky