I had the same problem when I first got my loop. My stoma was very flush with my belly and was hard to keep bag secure. I used the convex hollister wafer with bag. (2 pieces). Once I started using that I was able to go about 4 days without changing thus giving the skin time to heal. I used the stoma powder too. You have got to find the right system or you are going to constantly be miserable with the irritation. I also used the Eakins rings with the Hollister system. You are probably leaking thus causing the extreme burning and irritation. I know it is frustrating, I can certainly sympathize. On a positive note, by the time I had my take down I had grown quite fond of "poopsie". Good luck

Thanks Army wife, by the way I'm too an Army wife, actually an Army widow I will look at the 2 piece option you are recommending. Did you apply anything else other than powder?

Army wife, do you happen to have the bag order number? I have found the Eakins number to order. Thanks again

Try soaking the area with a domboros solution, ask the pharmacist. Good luck.
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Thank Jess will ask the pharmacist. I am willing to test anything since it is worse every day and very painful.

My skin was red and weepy the whole time I had my loop. The domoboros is an astringent, but doesn't sting, and helps to dry the area out. I found the convtec two piece convex much better for me. I alt had to change daily while getting my skin better but this system was gentler on my skin, didn't pull when removing. You can also skin tac wipes, they sting but add a sticky layer to the skin helping the appliance adhere better. I may have some stuff if you'd be interested. I have the convtec system and wipes. If you'd like them send me a PM.

Sorry, I gave my supplies back to the nurse. Does your Dr. Have a nurse that helps and teaches you about stoma care. Ask for the Hollister number. They sent me a free sample. You have to make sure you tell them you need the convex. This helps the liquid go out and over into the bag instead of leaking onto your skin. Someone at your doctors office should be talking to Hollister, and telling them what you need. I only ended up needing the stoma powder once I started using the right equipment because it healed fairly quickly. Then it starts itching!! If you are having to change so often there is no time for healing. Once you can schedule your bag change (I always did first thing in morning before it got active) the skin should start to heal. Call the doctors office ASAP and make them get involved. Again good luck. Army wives are tough, we have to stick together.

Thanks Jess - I sent you a pm. Thanks Army wife to you too, I have tried several Hollister supplies but they are the regular fit and I do have an ostomy nurse, however, Cleveland Clinic is about 1 and 1/2 hour from me, attempted to do a consultation over the phone and so far the recommendations haven't worked. You are the first one to say to use a convex product instead of the regular fit, I have used some products other than Convatec and I'm allergic to the adhesive to some of them. Thanks again!

Hi PHedges. I've had similar problems on two separate stomas (have a loop and an end right now, long story).

The end ileostomy was bleeding a ton. I was also on blood thinners so that made me bleed even more. To contain the blood, I used Aquacell and then Hollihesive (a hollister product). Aquacell is an antimicrobial guaze type sheet. Hollihesive is a tacky sheet of "rubbery" substance that sits between the skin and the bag. You cut a stoma sized hole in the middle of it so it rings your stoma. It melts onto the skin. Those two combined helped me keep the blood contained so I wasn't changing the bag every day.

I also had damaged skin around my loop from minor leaks. First, make sure you are using the right size opening. Measure your stoma if you haven't in awhile. Then I used powder, then Hollihesive (it's gentler on the skin than the bag flange). Then I apply paste directly around the stoma to seal it in. The bag also has paste on it when I apply it. I was taught to do it this way because my stoma is oval shaped so this makes sure everything is sealed in. So if you combine these to for you I would try...

Powder on sore area, then Acquacell on bleeding areas, Hollihesive over that (to also contain the blood), seal the stoma in with paste, paste around the bag opening, place on stoma. It's complicated but it's helped with my two problems.

Thank you so much activeucer I will follow your recommendations, I just receive the Hollister catalog, again thanks for the response.

You live 1.5 hours from Cleveland and haven't visited the stoma nurses for your problem? Go visit them! I live 3.5/4 hours away and visit them all the time ( I have unusual problems that need nurse/doc maintenance). They see some crazy stuff and unlike other WOCNs, they deal with stomas all day every day.

ActiveUCer, yes I go to the CC as much as I can, however, the ride there is quite expensive and I can't drive yet, my UC battle is similar to yours, I spent 4 months and 2 days hospitalized, 47 days in ICU, 6 days in a coma and lost my entire body movement from the neck down, yes I walk now, after 3 months of rehab and 3 hrs daily of physical therapy thus the reason why it isn't so easy to go visit the nurse as frequent as I wish, needless to say the cost. I have to "maximize" my resources as much as possible such this site and blogs, etc. thanks for the advice!

PHedges, Do you have an active ostomy support group in you area? I know there is one in my area. Call a local hospital and see if they have one. You could probably find some good local support there. Do you qualify for home health? They sent out a nurse to help me with the problem and helped mr get the right product.

Wow Hedges. That's not similar to my journey, that's twice as rough as my journey .

I know that feeling of not being able to move and it is rough. I couldn't talk either. For some reason when I was in ICU, one of the worst things was having them put 20 million blankets on me when I was so incredibly hot (no fever, just hot)! I couldn't move them off of me. Rehab is no cake walk either.

I hope one of the suggestions work for you.