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Let's talk G-tube!

Posted by Julie H @jkhagen1, May 22, 2025

I've searched the Mayo forums for ideas and can't seem to find anything. I am really struggling with granular tissue/granuloma forming around my g-tube. I am literally visiting a nurse every week to have it cauterized with silver nitrate. I resorted to "Dr. Google" and found a few things to try. Has anyone tried and had luck with any of the following? I'm brave, but some of this stuff seems a little nuts. 1. sprinkling table salt on granuloma, letting is sit for 10 minutes daily (this one is actually presented as effective in the journal for wound care).; 2. Tea tree oil; 3. Nystop powder (but I don't think I have a fungal infection) 4. Nasacort AQ (yes, nasal spray) seems weird, but a few folx swear by it. I would prefer to just yank this stupid thing out, but currently not able to get enough nourishment.

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omaest | @omaest | 4 days ago
In reply to @sepdvm "Hello Julie @jkhagen1 and welcome to the Head and Neck group. I do not have any..." + (show)
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Hello Julie @jkhagen1 and welcome to the Head and Neck group. I do not have any experience with a g-tube, although my father had one many years ago during his treatment. He had no major issues other than irritation which was controllable with antibiotic and cortisone creams. Excessive granulation tissue seems to be unique to certain individuals. I am a veterinarian and very familiar with it in horses as they love to produce granulation tissue around wounds.. We also used caustic silver nitrate to inhibit it, or surgery, and it did not work well. My more recent experience with Manuka Honey.....a medical grade type of honey for wounds.....makes me think that it might help your situation. Open, chronic wounds will heal beautifully with it. I wonder if it would help to control the irritation from the tube that is stimulating the granulation tissue to form? That's the same theory as using the Nasacort where the steroid in it decreases the inflammation. It also inhibits bacterial growth so fights infection. You can order it on Amazon so maybe another thing in your arsenal to use?

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@sepdvm Does Manuka Honey act as a moisture barrier too? All around my G-tube and below my skin has been burned by the stomach acid leaking. Leaving the area very red and sensitive. I have tried Aquaphor Advanced Therapy, Coloplast, and Calmoseptine. The calmoseptine will form a skin like cover but it comes off when cleansing the area.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | 2 days ago
In reply to @omaest "@sepdvm Does Manuka Honey act as a moisture barrier too? All around my G-tube and below..." + (show)
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@sepdvm Does Manuka Honey act as a moisture barrier too? All around my G-tube and below my skin has been burned by the stomach acid leaking. Leaving the area very red and sensitive. I have tried Aquaphor Advanced Therapy, Coloplast, and Calmoseptine. The calmoseptine will form a skin like cover but it comes off when cleansing the area.

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@omaest While some brands are very thick, I would not expect it to be a watertight barrier. Although it is good at preventing infection and stimulating healing. I wish
I knew more about stoma care to help you out,

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omaest | @omaest | 2 days ago

Thank you for the info! I've got some ordered to arrive tomorrow, I'll let you know what happens.

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Julie H | @jkhagen1 | 2 days ago

Hi Friends - hindsight is truly 20/20 - here are a few things I can share now. I had the G-tube removed about two weeks after this post. I understand why the doctor ordered it, but if I had to do it over again, I would not have consented to this. I was not prescribed any pain medication post-insertion and was sent to the ED two days after because I was experiencing so much pain from muscle spasms. I was in constant discomfort from the granuloma. The formula (Kate Farms organic) made me nauseous, so I had to take medication to avoid vomiting. I insisted (against doctor's advice) it be removed when I visited the ED for a second time for excrutiating pain. I immediately felt better and guess what? Without the pain and nausea, I actually started eating real food.

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lj6 | @lj6 | 1 day ago

I have a PEG tube. I guess it’s the same as what you are talking about. I had a problem when it was put in with pain and turns out it was a staph infection. Spent 6 days in hospital for that but have not had any problems since. I use a spray and sterile gauze pad to clean it. Spray is Microklenz and I got it on Amazon. Unfortunately I had to buy 6 bottles last I ordered, but I’m not switching to anything else.
The Kate Farms has been wonderful after I got used to it. I definitely would not be here without the tube. I couldn’t even drink water.

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omaest | @omaest | 1 day ago
In reply to @sepdvm "@omaest While some brands are very thick, I would not expect it to be a watertight..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sepdvm

@omaest While some brands are very thick, I would not expect it to be a watertight barrier. Although it is good at preventing infection and stimulating healing. I wish
I knew more about stoma care to help you out,

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@sepdvm You are correct it is not a water barrier. I'll find a use for it.

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