Hey guys, I've had some problems on and off with my stoma so far. Some have came and gone, but one thing that has been consistent is the itchyness on/around my stoma. Sometimes its REALLY itchy, sometimes just a bit, but I was wondering if there was anything I could do about it. I just changed my bag this morning after the shortest time I had a bag on (we had a problem with it after putting one on yesterday) and it has been GREAT - possibly the best so far - but still itchy, though not too much. I still have a fair amount of irritated red skin around my stoma, its putting up a fight! Thanks for the help!

It took my skin 2-3 months to stop itching and adapt to the wafers when I got my perm ileo. However, you might consider trying different products in case you have a sensitivity to the one you are using.

You might have a yeast infection. Do you have red bumps in the itchy areas? It would be good to check with your stoma nurse before it gets any worse. If it is a yeast infection you can get Nystatin powder to treat it, or if it's bad enough, you might need pills.

Good luck!
Anjuli

When Vic first had his operation we used generic brand of bags and he was allergic to the wafers. He had a red itchy blotchy patch the size of the wafer around his stoma. We switched to a leading brand and the problem went away. Now he will complain that he is itchy when it is time to change the bag (usually by the 3rd day). By then the seal is not as secure and output is seeping onto his skin. He says it doesn't burn but causes the area around his stoma to become itchy. Applying powder and making sure a new bag is tightly sealed and secure helps the itchiness to go away until the next time it's time to change the bag.

Sharon

When I had my stoma I had MAJOR itch problems. I was pregnant at the time I got my illeostomy and so all the nurses and docs thought it was from pregnancy. But it didn't stop after having the baby. I tried all kinds of diff. products. For me, the itch never went away entirely...I used sween cream all over the area when I would change my bag and then let it air dry really well before putting on the new one. I also used the powder right around the edge of the stoma. And then I pretty much lived on Benadryl until my reversal.

Like the others said, it could be a yeast infection, or you may have an allergy to one or more of the products your using. I know a lot of people that have problems with the skin barrier wipes.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

The itching is one of 3 things: irritation, healing or allergy. According to your post I would suggest that you need to change your bag more frequently ie daily.

I found daily changing the best way to overcome itching. Digestive enzymes are eating away at the wafer from the minute you put the bag on. eventually getting to your skin. Once you've got it under control as soon as you feel that itching again it means its time for a change of bag, don't wait - the enzymes are eating away at your skin.

If the sore skin is immediately round the stoma you can use a barrier cream or a stomahesive paste to protect it while it is healing. Its possibly caused by overwear of your bag or the whole in the wafer being too big or the wrong shape - have you noticed your stoma shrunk since your surgery?

If after a week the irritation has not gone then consider an alternative bag as it may be allergy. Call the manufacturers for free samples or ask your stoma nurse to send you a variety to try out.

I found with my skin that if you change more frequently than 24 hours the skin becomes irritated, more than 24 hours and the skin becomes irritated! You have to find the right frequency for you not one that is dictated by something else.

Dan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: _Dan_,

I agree with the above posts, you might have some kind of allergy or yeast infection. Regardless, I know it can be uncomfortable.
I definitely felt better when I changed the bag daily. Honestly, I was only able to do that towards the end because I knew I could run through my bag supply.
Check with the ET nurse about options like powders or other adhesives.

Best of luck!!!