G/GJ tubes: Hypertonic salt water soaks

A hypertonic salt water soak is a gauze that has been saturated with extra salty water.

Hypertonic salt water soaks can help reduce redness or swelling at the stoma, or if there is granulation tissue. Granulation tissue is bumpy or swollen tissue that is wet and often bleeds easily. It can also be painful. Applying hypertonic salt water soaks to granulation tissue might help it heal.

The extra salt in a hypertonic salt water soak helps to pull moisture away from the tissue, dry the skin, and reduce the swelling and redness. This is the first step to prevent or treat granulation tissue.

Some people refer to these as “saline soaks,” but this is not correct. Saline solution is not salty enough to treat granulation tissue. If you see saline in a store for purchase, do not buy or use it to treat granulation tissue; it does not have the correct salt concentration.

Making your own hypertonic salt water soak

Here’s how to make your own hypertonic salt water soak:

1. Mix 2 teaspoons of table salt with 1 cup of warm water in a clean cup or bowl until the salt dissolves.

2. 

   Cut the shape of a “Y” into a piece of gauze.

3. Soak the gauze in the salt water, then squeeze out some of the water so the gauze is not dripping wet.
4. Place the wet gauze on the skin around the feeding tube and leave it there until the gauze cools. This will take about 5 to 10 minutes. Do not let the gauze dry. If the gauze is too dry, it may pull at the stoma and cause pain when being removed.
5. Once the gauze is cool, remove it and leave the stoma open to the air to dry. You do not need to wash the salt off the skin afterward.

You can apply hypertonic salt water soaks up to four times per day when your child is having problems with their stoma.

If there are signs of infection such as redness, swelling or pain at the site, call or visit your doctor for assessment.

Your child does not need to go to the emergency department to be treated for granulation tissue.

At SickKids

If your child is a SickKids patient, contact the G Tube Resource Nurse with any concerns.

G Tube Resource Nurse contact info:

Phone 416-813-7177

g.tubenurse@sickkids.ca