Taking Care of the Skin around Your Stoma

Many people consider the occurrence of red and irritated skin around stoma as a normal instance. But it doesn’t have to be normal part of having an ostomy. In an ideal scenario, the ostomy appliance should be attached well with the peristomal skin and ensure a tighter seal which doesn’t let the stomal output to cause any problem with the skin around stoma. Thus, you need to consult your physician immediately if you notice irritation and redness in that part of the skin.

You first point of contact is the ostomy care nurse, also known as WOC nurse. Since they are going to have a better idea about your situation, they will be able to suggest you the treatment that’s perfect in your case. The most important thing to consider here is that you absolutely shouldn’t settle with the painful skin around your stoma. There is a solution for skin irritation, and you are going to have to go for it.

Skin problem around the stoma can occur due to a number of different reasons which may include leakage of stomal discharge, use of wrong barrier, frequent pouch changes, and sensitivity to a product that you are using as a part of ostomy management. For most of the ostomates, a cut-to-fit ostomy pouch is the ideal solution. Since a stoma changes its size and shape for a few times during the course of first few months after the ostomy surgery, you are going to have to anticipate this change. A cut-to-fit ostomy pouch allows you to adjust the skin barrier around your stoma without causing any irritation to it. A perfectly fitting barrier ensures effective prevention of the leakage of stomal discharge which tends to happen under a loosely or improperly fitted skin barrier.

The sensation of burning, tingling, itchiness, tightening, or any type of discomfort is never a normal thing while you are wearing an ostomy bag. And so, ignoring it is going to be one of the worse things you will do with yourself. Check the skin and look around the flange. The earlier you catch any issue with your stoma or the area around it, the better it will be.

Using stoma powder to treat redness and irritation in the peristomal skin

• The skin should be clean and dry before the stoma powder is applied upon it.
• Only small amount of powder should be applied, and the target should be the irritated skin area. Brush aside any excess powder.
• Use skin prep over the powdered area. It will help the powder to remain in one place.
• If there is no improvement, contact your ostomy care nurse.