Itchy bag? questions

Hey all,

I just had my initial jpouch surgery thursday and I'm now home from the hospital. I had a quick question about my bag. The WOCN helped me change it on monday and she said it was a good fit etc etc but in the future to be careful about the bag leaking/burning/itching my skin. I noticed last night that it itched a little but it wasn't to the point where I couldn't sleep. I woke up and there were no leaks, but still had an occasional itch throughout the day. Now I'm not sure about this but looking into the bag I swear the flange (the part that attaches to your skin) is lipping up and over the stoma. I can't really tell now because I've looked at it too much today. I told myself if it itches anymore I'd change it (first time on my own, so I'd rather wait) and call the ostomy nurse tomorrow. However I thought I'd check here for any additional comments or advice just in case. Thanks guys.

Carlow,

Welcome back! Glad to hear you're home and recovering well. Itchiness can mean a few different things.

1. You could possibly have the start of a leak. Meaning the stool got under the wafer around the stoma and is sitting on your skin causing it to itch.

2. You could have a skin sensitivity to the particular brand of flange that you're currently wearing.

3. Yeast Infection

Where exactly is it itching at? If your skin is itchy where the tape is or far from the stoma site, it may be a skin allergy/sensitivity to the product. If it's itchy in the immediate area surrounding the stoma, stool either got under the wafer or the wafer broke down too much and isn't protecting your skin anymore. 

Can you see the skin around your stoma? Sometimes it's difficult getting a good fit around the stoma in the beginning. It's so important though. You want the wafer to be as close to the stoma as possible, without actually touching it but showing no skin either. I think most recommend 1/8 of an inch from the stoma.

I used to get the itchies bad in the beginning. I would press down around the flange by the stoma and the pressure would make it feel better. Best solution is to just change the bag, clean the skin well and get rid of all stool residue. Are you using a skin barrier before putting the wafer on?

I use 3M Cavilon no sting barrier film swabs. They're like little lollipops. They protect your skin from the stool and also help the wafer to stick better.

I hope you find relief soon, the itchies are the devil!

Praying,

Are you getting leaks or itchiness? If you're not then it's fine. Sometimes I don't cut the opening enough and it's a little snug against the stoma, but by the end of the day the flange gives a little so it's fine.

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice! I figured out the itchies/tickles are from when I actually have output, but only on occasion. So weird. I have a follow-up with my surgeon tomorrow, so I'm going to wait and show him and see what he says. Like I said, if it was worse I would definitely change it, but so far its just a few times a day. Here's to no more UC, woohoo! Now if only those abs would come back a little faster...lol