I am having trouble with a terrible itch! I was using the hollister appliance, and my Dr. put me on 2 tablets of Diflucan, and nystatin powder. Settled down a bit. So my stoma nurse thought I was allergic to the hollister appliance, so we switched to the coloplast. It would stay on maybe 2 days. The itch and rash settled down a bit, but still there. My stoma nurse thinks I should see a dermatologist because she doesn't know what else to suggest. What else can one use to clear up the rash and get rid of the itch? The hollister lasts longer, but gets itchy right away, the coloplast doesn't last, and still gets itchy just not as bad.
I haven't tried the convetec system. Is this one like the coloplast or more like the hollister? I am going crazy with not being able to get more wear out of my appliance. Its frustrating.
What else have others used for the itch and rash one gets under it?

I personally prefer the Convatec moldable durahesive wafers. Every other one I've tried either fell off within hours or made me itch like mad. You can go to their website and order some free samples. They will even post them to you free of charge.

Other than that, if you are sure it's not a yeast infection then try using the ordinary stomahesive powder. Dust over the sore itchy skin and blow off any excess. Then either pat over with a no-sting barrier wipe or spray with something like Cavilon no-sting spray. Allow to dry and then apply your wafer.

The other thing which really keeps my skin nice is to shower without the wafer on change days and then aim the shower head at the skin around (not on) your stoma. This not only feel great but also helps to stimulate the blood supply to the area and helps with the healing process. Then do as I suggested with the stomahesive powder.

If none of these suggestions work then try using an ordinary steroid cream. Try to leave it for on about 20-30 mins before you jump into the shower. Use toilet paper or paper towels to catch any output. You'll need to make sure you wash it off well so that you are squeaky clean but if you can leave it for a while it has time to penetrate the skin and do some good.

Finally, you could try taking an antihistamine such as Benydril. This will help to control that torturous the itch.

It would be interesting know what your dermatologist thinks about your rash.

Take care.

Shell

Is the tape causing the itch, or is it the flange? I have mild contact dermatitis, and I itch a lot around the edges of the tape. It becomes red and itches like mad. I use Convatec moldables. What I've started doing is cutting the tape smaller at every other change so I can treat the irritated area with ointment for a few days. Of course, the skin becomes irritated around the edge of the smaller tape during that wear time, so at the next change, I treat that area with powder and skin barrier. I also take Benadryl.

Getting the tape wet seems to make the itch a lot worse. I try to get it really dry with a hairdryer afer I shower.

I hope you can get a handle on this. When you get that crazy itch, you can't think of anything else except wanting to rip your skin off. Good luck!

My skin always gets itchy when the waste seeps through and touches my skin. It burns and you just want to go CRAZY! I use Eakin seals to put round my stoma before I put the bag (or wafer if you use two piece) on. That way whatever seaps out through the hole for your stoma is extra pretected. It doesn't irritate my skin like the stoma addheisive paste did either.

I had a ton of problems and tried everything. I have skin allergies to begin with, so this has been a pain for me.

I'm allergic to the tape that comes on wafers I found out. Even tried hydrocolloidal. Did not work. I now use a Convatec with no tape. Skin problems are at a minimum. My wafers only last 2 or 3 days, but it beats having itchy, painful, torn up skin.

I change every three days, period. It just keeps my skin healthy and it isn't worth trying to squeeze in an extra day.

I also use no skin preps or adhesive removers as they irritate my skin. I use Eakins instead of the paste as the paste irritates me too. So, I use a little stomahesive powder, then an Eakin, then the wafer and bag.

How long have you had the ostomy? My itching went away after about 2-3 months (mine is permenant), but before then the itching was uncomfortable.

Thank you all very much for your help. I had my surgery on Sept 27th. The first about 3 months I was okay! Then it started. Its not as bad right at the moment. The coloplast doesn't stay on, and the hollister is okay, but is so itchy under the tape part. I have used the stoma powder, the nyostatin powder, the barrier wipes, etc. Cutting the wafer smaller is a great idea, which I am doing now, giving it all a chance a little at a time to heal. The best thing so far I am finding is letting the air at it every 2nd day when I have to change it. I am waiting for the convatec product to come in so I can try that one. This is the part I remember about having it the last time. They ended up reconnecting me within 8 months because we couldn't heal this up. That was almost 20 years ago so I thought by now things must have gotten alot better, but like Big D, I am allergic to all sorts of things. I just hope and pray this will clear up because going back to the pouch creates another set of issues altogether. That may not even be an option since they think my spynkter (spelling??) muscle maybe shot. Thanks again everyone for your help, it has been much appreciated.

I just had surgery 01/05/09 after suffering with UC for 3.5 years. I too have the ITCH... ARGH! I am using the Hollister two piece product. The Coloplast will not stay on for me... I'm too active for it. I've got the prescription powder you speak of, as well as the Diflucan. I tried three tablets of the Diflucan initially, and they seemed to work well, but within two days of stopping the itch was returning. I saw the Doctor again yesterday, and he prescribed seven more tablets to be taken one every other day. He also strongly cautioned against the consumption of excessive sugar (chocolates, soda, other sweets, etc) claiming they feed the yeast infection. I am changing the bag and wafer every other day. I found no relief from Benadryl. In fact, the only relief I find is when I can sleep. Besides that I am ITCHING! ITCHING! ITCHING!

And I'll say this... if it wasn't for the itching... I would be absolutely perfect... without one regret. I have a life again, and realize there are rooms in my house besides the latrine.

All the best,
Tom

I agree with Shell....
I found Convatec to be the best. I have (and please please forgive the expression..) "Irish Skin" (I am Irish, am fair skinned, freckled and red-headed) so anything and everything makes me itch.
I had such bad stoma burns if the wafter didn't fit JUST right and had chronic itching until my Wound Care nurses gave me the Convatec wafters and thier Stomaheasive powder. The itching promptly vanished and I used it with every change for my final 2 months of having my temp.
They will send you product samples if you call the toll free number on the website.
I also used the 3M no sting "lollipop" adhesive which worked wonders in not aggravating the rash area when I changed.

I have good news! I went to see a different stoma nurse and she had some convetec products,
so we tried it! Plus we used Arglaes Powder and the 3M Cavilon wipes! OMG! I have not itched since she put this on. She also told me I have contact dermititis! So, as of 11 o'clock this morning I am doing waaaayyyy better! I just hope it lasts! She also gave me a either made from or is called, Karya! Its one of the first ones ever made, and its made from a tree! I was going to look it upon the net and find more info on it. She didn't know about the combo that Shell uses, so she is going to get some in. I hope some of this info will help others.

I tried looking for something on the Karya Tree, but couldn't find anything! I see her again on Tuesday so will get more info. She said this is the most natural product, and thinks it would work for those of us who are allergic to so many things. Still not itching and its been 12 hours!

That's wonderful news! I too found that the only wafers that don't make me itch are made by Convatec.

Great news. Take care.

Shell

Glad to hear it. Convatec just sent me more samples, my fifth or six delivery since August.
Good Luck!

Hey, itchy people--the only way to stop itching is to ditch the products that make you itch. When Thomas had his ostomy, he became sensitized to almost all of them. Coloplast wafers and some tapes actually raised blisters. Eventually, he became sensitive to Eakin seals and 3M barrier wipes as well. The only wafer he could use was the ConvaTec durahesive (with no tape), and the only tape he could tolerate for a day or two was MeFix or 3M Medipore. Both are cloth surgical tapes.

Well, I am not itchy anymore, but am in pretty rough shape. I am down to wearing the moldable convetec with the outside cut off. My skin is red, weepy, sore, and irritated. It doesn't seem to matter what I put on it. I even did the duoderm and no go. The nyostatin tablets haven't made a difference. I called convetec on Friday and they are sending a flange that is made out of the same material as the stuff that is closest to the stoma. I am at a complete loss. So frustrated. Don't know what to do next. I have tried all the suggestions, plus some others. The one thing I haven't tried is the steroid cream because I have been told the wafer won't stick when you use it. Tomorrow I am going to try it on the exposed skin, tonight I thought I would just leave it open to the air and hope it doesn't spring a leak since there is no outer barrier holding it down. Don't know what's worse, a disfuntional pouch or this!!! Just looking for more suggestions if anyone out there has any. Thanx in advance.