Hey fellow ostomates: Today when I changed my appliance I noticed that my skin doesn't seem to be healing very well and getting better. Its alway really red and angry when I take off the appliance. I use "Luxiq" foam every time I put on a new barrier, but my poor poor skin. The foam stuff is great to keep my from itching and extends the length of time I can wear the barrier.

Do you guys always have red skin? Mine is not itchy, just red and sore, unlike my skin in other areas.

I also seem to have a difficult time getting off all the old sticky residue from the appliance. I have to scrape at it with my finger nails or use my bath scrubby to get off all the old sticky stuff. I use "uni-solve" adhesive remover, so I'm not just yanking it off. Do you guys have the same problem or shoudl I try a different wipe.

I just want to know if the skin redness is the way of things or not. If so, well I'll adjust, but if not, I'd like to know what I'm dong wrong. Thanks.

Cat

Hi Cat,

My skin was sore for the first couple of months until I found a system that worked for me. You are obviously happy with your system so I suspect that a lot of your problems could be the way you are removing your old appliance.

I use an orange oil based medical adhesive remover which gently removes all the sticky residue from under my wafer. Of course I need to make sure that I get the skin squeaky clean afterwards because of the orange oil but it really does leave my skin in very good condition.

The other thing is that I always take my appliance off before showering on change days and make sure that I aim the shower spray all around (not on) Wee Willie for at least 5 minutes. I think this not only helps to get rid of any oily residue but also stimulates the blood supply to the surrounding skin which I think helps to keep my skin in such good shape.

If you have any broken weepy skin then you should apply a dusting of stomahesive powder after you have dried your skin. Blow off any excess and then either pat with a no sting barrier wipe or if you use a barrier spray like Cavalon then spray over the powdered area and make sure it is completely dry before you apply your new wafer.

I am of the mindset that less is more when it comes to skin preps so the only thing I use under the wafer itself is a non sting barrier wipe. No pastes and no seals. I do use Convatec's moldable convex wafers though which remove the necessity for any other product as they really do mold to every contour.

I hope this helps but I'm sure there will be others on soon to offer more tips and advice.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Shell

Cat

You don't have to remove the old residue after you remove your wafer. I usually leave it unless I leaked and it has stool on it. If there is a bit left I don't worry about it as when I put a new wafer on it will just melt right into the new adhesive. Over time your skin will toughen up as well. I used to cringe and flinch pulling my appliance off and now I barely notice it coming off. Also make sure when you are removing it to push your skin down and away from the wafer and don't just pull the wafer off. This will be easier on your skin.

Thanks you guys. What is the "orange oil" you referred to in your post Shell? I follow all the other steps you mentioned 'cause that's what my ostomy nurse taught me. I also use as little as I can get away with on my skin. I'm one of those types of people with dry and itchy skin so the appliance is tough on my skin.

I do get 3-4 days wearing time out of each appliance and could probably go longer, I just really start to itch and since my finger nails are on the long side, I can really do some damage to my skin.

Also, whenever I take a shower, I remove the bag so Mr. Stoma can get washed, but that doesn't allow the skin underneath to get cleaned off. When I reomve the entire appliance, I either shower or bathe and give the skin around Mr. Stoma a good scrub.

The skin area is not weepy anymore, just always red and itchy. It sounds like that is the way the skin will be and over time, I'll just get used to it.

Thanks. Cat

Hi Cat,

The orange oil I use is called Lift, but there are lots of versions out there. Here's one that you can order from your side of the Pond:

http://www.orange-sol.com/medical/index.html

The other thing I forgot to mention is that I always use a Tea Tree body wash around Wee Willie on change days. Tea tree oil has antibiotic properties and I am sure that it was instrumental in finally getting rid of the MRSA that was colonising my peristomal skin.

Have you considered that you might have a yeast infection? Perhaps that's something you can ask your stoma nurse about as she will be able to make a diagnosis and advise you on what product to use.

Good luck, it really does get better with time.

Shell

Couple more suggestions, Cat. Everyone is right on target so far, in my limitd but miserable experience of my temp loop ileo, and now a month of this permanent one. Check out sensitivity to wafer adhesive by trying another brand. At Shell's suggestion I use durahesive rather than stomahesive, and I use the hydrocolloid wafer she suggested in a prior post. Tea Tree oil is excellent for sensitive skin. You may have a yeast infection - mine was easily treated with the temporary ileo - just a dust it on powder. The rash is distinctive and easily identifiable. Another tip is to use stomahesive powder and barrier wipe or spray in just one layer on any skin that is not broken, but where it is, repeat both THREE times in a process called crusting, where you build up a layer of both. Just add it gently in sequence. Something else that might be going on is that when you remove your wafer, your skin is generally redder there than you'd expect, and the redness worsens for some people over a few mins. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong, though I'd think the fact that you have itching contraindicates it's just sensitivity to removal. Do you check the state and shape of your stoma opening on the wafer when you remove it? If it is shrinking back from a tight collaring of your stoma, you'll have stool leakage that could be contributing to the problem. Sometimes I've had as much as 1/4" erosion from the original stoma-hole size, and the skin is definitely having a tough time then. With eaken seals and then Shell's solution of the turtle necking wafer design/durahesive, I'm doing great. The only places I have a tiny bit of erosion are at the remaining sutures: they poke out under the wafer and allow a miniscule amount of stool to pool under each thread, causing redness and itching. HOW LONG does it take for the darn things to dissolve??? Boy, we should write a tome of tips for the new ostomy patient!

Be persistent - keep asking questions and coming here for answers. You WILL get it figured out. I was very discouraged about my temporary and the constant pain, leaking, itching, but I see now that since it was temporary, I didn't want to complain too much and I didn't ask enough questions to get good help. It could have been much easier.

So Good on Ya for continuing to return here for help from these terrific mates.

Barbara

Hi Cat,

I've added a new link that will take you directly to the place to buy the orange medical adhesive remover as the other link was a little vague:

http://www.dtep.com/medi-sol.htm

Hope this helps

Shell

Thanks for the feedback Shell. I'll have to try the tea tree cleanser. That's a good idea.

Barb - I don't have a yeast problem, the ostomy nurse already checked that out. I already do all the steps you listed in your message. It's really more a matter of red and itchy, not weepy skin.

I'll try the orange remover and see if that helps.

Cat