Ileostomy

Hello, Paul.

There is a super skin protector called Marathon Liquid Skin Protector. It's by a company called Medline. It is a purple liquid and comes in a box of 10 tiny, precious vials. You squeeze the vial gently to break an inner seal, which releases the liquid onto its attached sponge tip. You apply by dabbing directly on the broken, raw or bleeding skin. It forms a sort of crust immediately on the broken skin, which is a protective barrier so the wound underneath can heal. It saved my skin when I had my temporary ileostomy. My stoma was retracted and sometimes flush with my skin surface, so it was always raw and bleeding. I didn't discover Marathon until weeks into having a stoma. It can be applied directly on the stoma, or raw surrounding skin, allow to dry. It will not affect the adhesion of your wafer. Try your drugstore, ostomy supply companies, or online, for Marathon. It's a bit expensive so search around.  My insurance paid for it, but even if I didn't have insurance coverage I would have handed over money to relieve my pain of raw inflamed skin. One box should heal your skin, and you might have vials leftover. 

Thanks so much Winterberry. I will try to get my hands on some of it and use it on any areas of my skin that are particularly irritated. I've been looking for something like this. Maybe even my insurance will cover it. Thanks again.

Paul

You're welcome. I forgot to mention that once the vial is open you cannot save what's left inside. It will dry up fast!  So use up the contents of the vial (it's tiny) anywhere you need it or dab thickly on the worst areas. 

Also, for odour control there is something called Diamonds. They are small packets you put into the bottom of your bag, before you close the clip or Velcro. The packets contain an absorbing substance that thickens when it comes in contact with liquid. It also controls an expanding bag (gas) or very liquid output from your stoma, and controls odour. When you change or empty your bag you will see what looks like black volcanic ash, or black sludge, so don't be worried. That's the Diamond product having absorbed most of your bag contents. It will keep your bag from feeling liquidy or sloshy! I can't remember which company makes it. I got them as samples when I had a stoma. Diamonds.

Thanks again. The Marathon liquid is very expensive but I'll check with my ins. Co. about coverage. As for odor control it took me years to solve that. I use a combo of m9 and Coloplast deodorant lubricant. I also put a couple of drops of "Just a Drop" in through the flange on top. Works like a charm. I do have some gel tabs coming as a free sample. I'll see what those do for my output.  Thanks for your generous help. I'll let you know how it goes.

I use two different skin barriers (protectant)  before I apply my wafer. One is a wipe the other is a spray. I use the wipe first and then use the spray to make sure I cover all of it. Then I use a hair dryer. No heat. Just cold air.   To get it dry. Only takes a minute to do this and when I'm dry it's slightly tacky. Seems to work well and protects my skin so far. I'm happy with the way I do it. It's all I use. Except a dab of paste at the cut line scar.  A dab on each side of the stoma where the scar is and I apply the wafer. 

I use the sprays of course to protect my skin. And it seems the combination works well. 

I also use an adhesive "releaser".  It's a spray that I think is one of the most important things I use. I use it to take my wafer off.  That's where damage to my skin will most likely occur. And this spray makes the wafer drop right off.  It's gold in a can to me. Much much better than the wipe releasers.  

I'll have had my ileo for two years come October and I think I've come along way since.  I'm very confident with myself unlike when I first started.  It's scary at first but the more you do it the better you get at it.  Problems sometimes do arise at times. But that's how it is.  Nothing is perfect. 

25 years. Long time. I bet you've seen alot of changes in appliances and how well they are made now.  I think at this point the manufacturers have come a long way. I think.  I don't know. They are not uncomfortable to wear. 

I can't imagine having one 20-30 years ago. Or even longer. Things have changed for the better I hope. You could tell us some stories I bet. 

Richard. 

Thanks for the question and discussion. I have had a perm ileo for almost 2 years with this last one abour 1.5 years. (I was diverted then had my j-pouch removed 6 months later.) I still have one spot at the bottom of the stoma that I can't clear up. I've tried some of the above suggestions but learned a couple of more through this thread.

I say you can always teach an old dog new tricks!