• If your PEG site is red and burning but doesn't appear infected, the problem is probably irritation from the small amount of gastric acid leaking around the tube. Wash with soap and water twice a day and alternate using Bactracin Zinc ointment with Maalox or Mylanta liquid.


• If the tube is clogged or running slowly, pour a couple ounces of Coke into the tube and clamp it quickly so the Coke stays up in the tube and leave it in overnight.


• If your PEG tube has black spots in it, it has yeast in it. Your stomach acids will kill any yeast that washes in with feedings so this isn't a health risk, just nasty looking. There is no way to get rid of the yeast because it imbeds itself in the plastic and regrows after any attempts to clean the tube. If it is too ugly to live with, have the tube replaced.


• If your PEG tube comes out, cover the stoma with a gauze square to catch any leakage. Unless it is bleeding considerably, it isn't an emergency, however, it is a priority. The tube needs to be replaced soon. After 12 hours the odds are that the channel will have closed enough to make reinsertion difficult.


• As soon as the incision for the tube has stopped bleeding, stop using hydrogen peroxide to clean it. Peroxide is great for fizzing away crusty blood and gunk but has no more infection preventing properties than soap and water scrubbing with a washcloth. Using peroxide can cause an overgrowth of healing tissue (granulation tissue) which is lumpy looking and bleeds easily.

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