I have had my ostomy since Oct. 2010. I have a red area around the ostomy - 1/8 to 1/4 inch around. Even with the convex wafer and cutting it rather tight i still get the red ring. Any suggestions or helpful hints? Thanks

Same thing happened to me, use the powder and cut the wafer very tight. What brand are you using? I started to use coloplast.

I am using coloplast. Is it the stoma powder you are using?

I had a rash around mine from shaving using just water (razor burn). I was told to use some soap and rinse well. Also used coloplast antifungal powder to clear up the rash. It cleared up in a week and hasn't returned.

I had one too, but it didn't hurt. I would always worry that the wafer wouldn't stick, but it always did. I used to stoma powder too.

We also use just a little stoma powder around the stoma itself to prevent or heal the red ring. SHould work as long as it is not a fungal infection. Just make sure you blow/dust off the excess powder

Thanks all. I am following your suggestions and it seems better. I am cutting the hole smaller so it fits tighter around the stoma.

I have had the best luck with a snug fit using the Convatec moldable convexity. I must have tried a dozen different systems since getting my loop in early January and that is the ONLY one that works for me. It's great because you don't need an extra barrier ring or paste or anything, the barrier is all you need, with a little powder and spray. Made a huge difference. I still have a small red/pink ring, but it's not very painful anymore and not weeping/bleeding. I still only get 3 days max with my very high-maintenance stoma, but it's a major improvement. Good luck!

I am having he same issue. I haven't found anything that works yet, but thanks for some of the ideas in this thread.

I second the Convatec moldable convex wafers that mold around the stoma.

When I used other products I had a good 1/8 inch around the stoma that was bright red (I thought my skin was part of the stoma!)

But when I started using the convatec moldable flex fit wafers the red disappeared and I easily got 1 week out of my wafers!

I use convatec modable wafers too and they are amazing. I have never had a leak and as long as you get the size right, it molds perfect to your stoma.

I now cut the hole to fit tightly around my stoma and it works to prevent the ring. I only use the wafer unless I have rare redness then use antifungal cream and it heals.

I had my total colectomy, creating a J-pouch and temporary ileostomy on 6/15/11. My skin around the stoma got so red and raw and it started to wooze blood and fluid. I tried the stoma powder. It didn't work. I ordered convex wafer instead of the flat one I was using and I covered the irritated area with Duoderm patch (cut to fit) and then applied the wafer. This helped my reddened skin to heal a bit. It still looks red and irritated but the pain and itching is gone. The wafer still doesn't last long but at least it stays on over one day. I used to change my bag three times/day because it just leaked all over the place after several hours. It was really, really frustrating.

For really really raw, bleeding and oozing skin I have had success with the off-label use of Fluticazone - a nasal spray. It is a corticosteriod that the skin absorbs, and it does not leave an oily residue so wafers will stick to the area after application. It will leave a film look similiar to the spray on or wipe on skin barriers. For almost 2 years I fought red, raw, oozing skin. This will heal a pretty bad burn in about a day and a half. I still have not been able to get it healed about 1/2" on the bottom side of my stoma, but my stoma opening is lower than my skin.I use convex "seals", wafers and lots of what people have recommended. Before a revision in Dec I could wear a wafer for about 3-4 days, post revision I am lucky to get a whole 24 hours. Losts of times only 2-3 hours. I cannot have a J-Pouch done, but they are going to connect my small intestine to my rectum on Aug. 16. I do not know if this has a name, but it has to be better than the pain I have been in since Dec.
I hope Fluticazone heals your red ring.

I had this too, and eakin slims seals solved it for me. They are a little ring that you put on under the wafer. You can get a more snug fit and seal the skin better. Maybe you could ask for a free sample and try them.