It is really becoming difficult to keep my flange on my skin with a good seal. I have been going through about one of these daily and it seems that these should be lasting me alot longer. Has anyone else had trouble getting a solid seal because of showering creating a barrier where you can leak? I guess I just may have to start limiting my showering.

I used to have trouble in water with the flange peeling off from the edges. I used Mefix medical tape around the edge of the flange and it helped alot. I had to change the tape every couple of days but the appliance could last 6 days with it, opposed to 2 days without.

Showering shouldn't effect the seal of your appliance. What brand are you using? Is your stoma flush to your skin? If so you might need a convex wafer. What other products are you using on your skin?

Ditto what Tricia said. Your posting prompted the same questions in my mind. Showering, and even swimming, shouldn't affect your seal.

Are you using a blow dryer (on low) to dry the flange after you get it wet? It should seal right back up.

You might use some pink Hy-Tape around the edges of the tape on the flange, to give yourself a little extra security.

I don't mean this to be a stupis question, but I've run into other folks who have done this, so I'm asking. Do you remove your pouch (if you use a 2 piece systme) when you shower so that your wafer is exposed to the water? If you get water underneath the wafer, it will deteriorate really fast. If you don't remove the pouch, are you using a soap that has lotion, oil or other stuff in it that might get under the tape and mess with your wafer?

Of all the problems I have with leaks, losing a wafer from showering isn't something I'm cursed with, so I'm afraid I have little advice to offer! I can tell you that I have never had to blow dr my appliance after a shower, bath, swim or anything else. I do towel dry it, but that's to get moisture off fo my skin- not to do aything to make sure the appliance is secure.

-Rae

I'm the same, I just towel dry and get dressed and the tape never moves. I use Convatec's moldable convex wafers which are durahesive and adhere much better (in my opinion) than regular stomahesive wafers.

I do think that Rae has a point about soaps with moisturisers in them because oil will melt any adhesive. In fact I use an orange oil product to remove my wafers on Wee Willie's change days.

Oh and Rae is also right about showering without the bag if you have a two piece system. Warm soapy water will undermine the seal of the wafer if it can get between your stoma and the appliance so it's advisable to leave the bag in place until you've finished your shower (unless of course you are changing the whole appliance).

Good luck.

Shell

Ditto Rae and Shell on the subject of soaps containing oil or lotion. The adhesive-remover wipes that many people use when removing their skin barrier (wafer) contains oil, so you know it's very effective at removing the adhesive.

Dial and Ivory Soap are safe bets.