Liz.... I too can't recommend ilex paste enough, it's by far the best product available for the treatment and prevention of butt burn, also it's just as effective for a leaking Stoma.

In the UK, it's now available on NHS prescription:
https://www.oakmed.co.uk/oakmedilex.asp

I had difficulty using it at first, finding it sticky, messy and gloopy, very uncomfortable; at the time, as I use wet wipes, I thought that was why but I've since discovered, through trial and error, that only a very small amount of paste is sufficient, applied over the affected area with a little applied sightly inside, which as you say, provides a slight seal and can help prevent leakage.

By applying as described, Vaseline is not needed and cleansing with a wet wipe after a BM does not removed the paste, if kind of dilutes it, making it more ointment like with one application leasting 2 or 3 BM's before the ilex needs reapplying, if needed

I rarely use the ilex now, just every so often when I feel a slight itching burning like sensation.

More often than not, I tend slept through without night time BM's, I believe best results are achieve when applying ilex just before bed.

Has anyone had a issue with the ilex getting stuck in there anal hair causing the hair to stick together.. I just started using it early today and have had this issue everytime , I've never actually put it inside of my bottom, would that help? I mainly put it around the anal area between the cheeks .. but still gets it mixed with hair. Is this just something I deal with and wash off later with warm water ?

KC23,

the ilex paste is very sticky, and truthfully clean up after stool is easier. That said, I still use it multiple times daily, especially before I go to bed. I often use a squirt bottle or 2 with warm/ hot water to spray following BM. This usually loosens paste enough to wipe off with good quality TP. In addition, or in place of using warm water squirt, I use Vaseline to wipe off, remove paste. It works quite well, and I like to remove it after each BM though there may be slight coating residing until showering. I buy big jars of Vaseline at Costco pharmacy counter and have relied heavily on this to clean up since my surgery. I have put small amount ilex paste inside rectum, with dr. permission, when I had sore in there. Typically, just apply lg. pea size blob of it outside anus, spreading slightly. I use larger quantity and spread further if skin irritated. I do not put Vaseline on top after applying. I also use cotton ball or cosmetic pad or folded squares of TP to tuck in there in case of leakage. High quality TP is a must to reduce irritation and improve cleaning up. Cheap paper rolls right over it. Carry some with me when out, folded in pocket. Sooo, while ilex causes issue cleaning up, still my go to. Good luck!

ljz

Thank you LJZ, it has worked great so far just annoying when it gets stuck in the hair haha but I guess I'd rather have that than butt burn.. I had my takedown Tuesday and am using the bathroom only about 4 times a day stool wise, but I'm also on a complete liquid diet with foods such as pudding , ice cream, tomato soup, yogurt etc. luckily this hasn't increased my bowel movements. But my bowel are also just now waking up so I'm sure my BM's will increase drastically once I'm eating solid foods

Sounds like you're doing great! Good to hear! Keep us posted! 

Ljz

LJZ, you stated you use ILEX sometimes for leakage? I have the occasional stool leakage from my butthole, sometimes not but sometimes a get a spot on the toilet paper square that I always where pressed up against the hole. I have been getting some irritation there recently as wel as dealing with a small hemorrhoid right next to hole, which the tp square it irritating it more now. Do you think just applying a dime size amount right directly to the hole would help prevent some minor leakage?

KC.....if you're concerned about ilex sticking to hairs back there, then I assume your butt burn is either not severe or maybe non exsistant.

If you do have severe butt burn, kind of red raw, stings to touch, excruciating pain during a bowel movement and a rash similar in appearance to the diaper rash that babies suffer from; then the ilex Paste has to be liberally smeared over the affected area and reapplied without removing what was applied previously, that is, until the ilex begins to fall off all by its self , either when wiping or at any other time.

When the ilex does detach from the skin, it's best to peel it all off and reapply if still needed.

When ilex has been appllied liberally, it will feel like a sticky mess and only wet wipes will cleanse sufficiently whilst the ilex remains applied. I've never used Vaseline, only ever used pure non scented wet wipes to cleanse.

When I say cleanse; what I really mean, is wipe.

If butt burn has not occured and ilex is applied as a preventative measure, then only a very small pea size amount of ilex need be applied, just around the opening and between the cheeks, either side, such an amount will not require Vaseline over it and will not clump up or feel sticky.

Wet wipes are best used for cleansing as toilet paper tends to rip against the ilex.

When ilex has been applied sparsely over the affected area, on occasions, it will be necassary to remove small clumps/beads of dried up ilex by pinching them off with a wet wipe or toilet paper.

As for applying ilex internally, it states on the ilex tube & box..... For External Use Only; although, I've been applying it internally to an anal fissure.

I apply it internally for maybe two or three days, probably every few months, the moment I feel the slightest feeling of internal itching or a burning sensation.

I've been applying ilex internally, on and off for years and without adverse effect.

Strange , currently I do not have butt burns I'm just taking precautionary steps so that I won't develop but burn or any irritation on my anus haha. I'd rather be ahead and treat it from happening than let it happen and have to catch up to let it heal. Like I said I had my takedown Tuesday, and have not started many bowel movements now, I just passed gas today so I'm sure once I start eating actual food instead of the diet I'm currently on I'll be running to the bathroom. But hopefully not. Feels great without a bag!! 

KC.... I'm sorry you felt the need to justify your post, I wasnt in any way dispelling your concerns.

I was attempting to emphasise that the pain of butt burn or an anal fissure is so excruciating, especially during a BM that the last thing on your mind would be sticking hairs.

I discovered and mainly used ilex to heal the feastering and oozing skin around my Stoma; once healed, I continued to apply it as I never wanted to endure such pain ever again.

Since my takedown, other than the anal fissures, I've never actually suffered from the dreaded butt burn.

I'm pleased all has gone well for you and yeah, it feels great without the bag.

how about applying to small hemorrhoids that are slightly bleeding? advantage for applying to them?

I used ilex for years but got PO'd when the price was substantially increased. I found 2 other products that I like very much and are less expensive. They are Citric Aid Clear Moisture Barrier Ointment and Citric Aid Thick Moisture Barrier Paste. They both work well for normal butt irritation, and if it begins to burn, I combine some of each and they seem to work better together. They can be purchased through Amazon.

Is itching a sign of butt burn coming On . Also everytime I have to urinate my stool try's to sneak out my bottom and I have to squeeze it back up lol. Even when I'm in bed it may feel like it's coming out and just end up being flatuence instead of stool.. Idk if that means I should do kegals since my bottom has been inactive since November . But yes the ilex is very thick and messy. Does the ilex paste also treat a itch that occurs down there ? I will start a low residue diet tomorrow so I'm sure I'll start runnng to the bathroom more  does anyone have any tips on how to hold your stools to help the jpouch expand ?

Kc23, sorry to state the obvious, but if your worried about paste in the hair, why don't you shave the hair?  Just exfoliate the area after and you should be fine.

As for the itching, yeah it's the same sort of thing as butt burn, mine tends to start inside the sphincter.  Good anal care really helps because a sore anus does mean you feel the need to go sooner.   Clean any dirt immediately (even of still sat on the loo), use soft paper and blot, don't itch the area, try to keep the area clean and dry (don't even use cream if you don't need too).  Shaving actually helps with all of that.

No need to shave daily or anything, once a week or fortnight is best, you get used to it pretty quick and exfoliating after really does help with stubble itch.  Just do it in the shower it takes seconds

Hth

I wouldn't worry too much about passing gas at present, it's still early days, but best err on the side of caustion and any sensation or urges to pass anything, even urinating, do so on the pan, be safe, not sorry.

After my takedown, for maybe at least 4 week I was unable to urinate stood up, could only do so while stitting during a BM, so I didn't even try, just all occurred naturally and without even thinking about it; same too with passing gas; for maybe 9 months, I only passed gas during a BM, then one day, it just occurred, no leakage or anything. Now I can pass gas just like I did before the removal of my bowel, although rarely; more often, it's during a BM but I wear pads to be safe and due to leakage.

As for stretching the Pouch, whilst still in Hospital, I gave it a go and I tried to hold off, which didn't last but everything just occured naturally.

I've never knowingly performed Kegal exercise.

Itching is sometimes a sign of a fungal infection, and moisture barriers can make that worse. Keeping the area dry and treating with an antifungal cream (or powder) is better *if that's what's going on*.