stoma soreness

Hi Mark,I had some skin breakdown and the stoma nurse provided some special wipes containing vitamin E,they worked quickly.My stoma is urine only but they should be able to give you something to help.Good luck having the staples out.Love Jane

Hi Mark

It can be normal for the peristomal skin to become red and sore in the early days and can be for many reasons. After 12 days in your stoma will be still changing its size it is imperative that you keep checking the hole size and making adjustments as I see you have started to do. 

Having the hole too big or too small can cause leakage which can make your skin sore and red, what you have to watch out for is broken skin which can also be sore and hinder the pouch wafer making a good adhesive contact with your skin.

Another reason why your skin is red and sore could be down to the removal of your pouch.

It is often necessary to change the type of pouches in the early days as different manufacturers incorporate additives into the adhesive such as manuka honey or aloe vera which can help the skin.

When removing the pouch have you been using a medical adhesive remover either in spray form or wipes to help ease the pouch off your skin. If you use this product you should ensure that you wash it all off before applying new pouch otherwise the pouch won't skin.

Before you apply your new pouch do use a barrier film on your skin, this comes in either spray form or wipes and places an invisible protective screen over your skin and does not affect  the pouch adhesion. Having mentioned sprays or wipes I have a preference for Fusion applicators they offer a 2 in 1 protection and in my opinion really do protect the skin and adhesion when using them is second to none. When you press the link it will take you to a new page which will give you more information and enable you to get a few samples. I have been using them for over 2 years now and would be very reluctant to use another type. Only very rarely do I experience any red skin or irritation.

It is important to check your peristomal skin at every change but do not be alarmed at the sight of blood around the base of your stoma this is perfectly normal and absolutely nothing to worry about.

Don't think you need anything prescribed, it's just a matter of your stoma management.

There are many reasons why you ended up with a temporary ileostomy which your colorectal  surgeon should be able to answer quite easily, one the simplest reasons is that he decided to form the ileostomy to give your bowel a rest and help it to heal especially as there was scaring. 

I wouldn't overthink this let nature take its course over the next few months when no doubt you will be seeing the surgeon who will keep you updated, you may find that your GP will only have a vague idea of the surgery type and certainly won't have access to xrays etc, you might be that your stoma nurse will be able to tell you more especially if she is hospital based.

You'll feel a lot better once you have the staples removed and your skin eases off.

You've been positive so far try and to keep that attitude and look forward to receiving the news that your reversal is going ahead and you're tumour free but in the meantime any questions or just need a chat I'm about on the site every day just give me a shout out and I'll do what I can to help you.

Keep taking to me!

Ian

CC

Thanks for this post Ian, I have ordered a sample 

Thanks folks for all the responses same here Ian I ordered sum samples at the unearthly hour of 4am this morning couldn't sleep my stoma was so itchy. Jane I'm looking forward to the staples being removed again there so itchy

Regards Mark

Hi Mark

Do you have much trouble with leakage.

With an ileostomy, redness to the skin around the stoma, accompanied by burning and itching, is the result of stool having direct contact with the skin. Damaged skin will often result in itchiness and burning, particularly when the stoma is functioning.

You maybe should consider changing your pouch whenever you start to get the itching and burning sensation.

This is not very nice to do but you should examine the old pouch when you take it off to see if the flange has been breached then look at your skin at the corresponding area to see if there is any dips, creases or raised skin applying a non alcoholic stoma paste can sometimes help.

Also have a look to see if you have any small, red, raised areas on or around your stoma these are called  Granulomas and can cause problems with your pouch attaching, your stoma care nurse should examine your stoma for these every so often.

Believe me things do get better and together we will get you through this, trust me I'm !

Ian

Hi Mark, I had a similar issue, to the point where it was weeping and bleeding over an inch around my ileostomy. At the hospital the gave me some cavalon swabs, super expensive, like £10 for five!!! I think they are the same as above. You can also get a spray version, similar price but lasts a lot longer, it's for around the area not on the 'nipple'. You may be able to get this at a local pharmacy if you are struggling now and waiting for what you have already ordered.

I went to hospital as I was worried about infection and stoma nurses are not available on weekends (don't get me started on this) the doctors advice was to cut the hole bigger! That was the opposite of what you should do and made it worse! Hence the need for stoma advice on weekends, so you are doing the right thing. Good luck

L

Oh also Piriton can help ease the itching apparently

L

Hi L

Yes I'm with you on the stoma nurses at weekends doesn't make sense at all. So the message I left yesterday morning with my stoma nurses they won't get back to me till Monday at the earliest now.

Regards Mark

And that's why were are here to help each other out, when we can't get a nurse, with support and advice.

I would always suggest to new baggees to make up an emergency go to bag containing a good selection of barrier film wipes, fusion barrier applications, adhesive removers, stoma powder, barrier cream wipes and flange extenders all which can be obtained from the manufacturers free of charge.

This way if you are having problems and you post on here and one of us suggests a product to try chances are you'll have one in your bag to use.

I am quite happy to put together links to all the manufacturers and their brand names that you can request the samples to get you started.

Just ask.

Ian

CC

That would be greatly appreciated Ian all I have at the moment is what the hospital gave me and the pouches are coloplast with a removal spray and sum wipes.

Regards Mark