Feeding tube granulation tissue (3005)

Key points below

What is Granulation Tissue?

Granulation tissue is extra tissue that grows on wounds as they are healing. It is formed as new skin cells are growing. Your child might have granulation tissue grow in and around the opening of their tube. This is normal while the opening is healing. Pressure, moisture, and movement of the tube may cause the growth of granulation tissue. There may be thick, sticky or crusty, yellow, green, brown, or bloody drainage. Sometimes the granulation tissue needs to be treated because it can cause problems to the tube site.

How is granulation tissue treated?

There are three common ways to treat granulation tissue at the tube site.

Silver Nitrate- A medicine that doctors or nurses may apply to granulation tissue. This is done in the clinic or hospital. Silver nitrate can be applied once a day. This can be used up to 5 days until the tissue goes away.
Triamcinolone Ointment- A steroid cream that can be put on the granulation tissue. Parents or caregivers do this at home.
GranuLotion- A soothing and natural cream that can be put on the granulation tissue. Parents or caregivers do this at home.

If your child has had a Silver Nitrate Treatment:

1. The site may be sore after this medicine is applied. The medicine can cause some stinging. This goes away after a few minutes.
2. Split gauze is put on the site after the medicine. This helps soak up extra medicine instead of staying on the skin. Change this gauze after one hour.
3. The treated tissue will scab over and fall off. This usually takes 1 to 2 days.
4. The silver nitrate can cause a dark stain on any skin it touches. Keep cleaning the skin around the tube every day with soap and water. The dark color will go away, but it may take up to one week.
5. Rarely, silver nitrate may cause a mild skin injury. The skin can be burned and red. This will heal.
6. Let your child’s doctor or nurse know if the skin around the tube becomes red or has blisters.

If your child is prescribed Triamcinolone cream:

1. Use this cream the way your child’s doctor told you.
2. Only put the cream on the granulation tissue. It is best to use a cotton tipped applicator (like a Q-Tip ™).
3. Put a split gauze at the tube site if there is drainage after applying cream.
4. If the tissue goes away, stop using the cream.
5. Do not apply the cream on the healthy skin around the tube.
If tissue is still at the tube site after two weeks from starting the cream:

Stop using the cream for one week.
Then begin to use it for another two weeks or until the tissue goes away.

If your child is using GranuLotion cream:

1. Use this cream the way your child’s doctor told you.
2. Only put the cream on the granulation tissue. It is best to use a cotton tipped applicator (like a Q-Tip ™).
3. Put a split gauze at the tube site if there is drainage after applying the cream.
4. If the tissue goes away, stop using the cream.
5. Do not apply the cream on the healthy skin around the tube.

Special information

Every day, look at the size of the granulation tissue and the skin around it. The tissue should be getting smaller, less red and have less drainage.

For other health and wellness information check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if:

The granulation tissue does not get smaller in size.
The skin around the tube is open, red or starts peeling.
Your child’s special health care needs were not covered by this information.