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Posted 7/16/2008 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'm itching under the border of my flange. So this a.m. I said, EUREKA, I'll cut off the paper and just leave that waxy looking ring thing that surrounds the stoma. Right now, I'm getting 7 days with this appliance (Convatec) but the itchy part is driving me mad.

I added a belt just to give it some more stability since it won't have the band aid part surrounding it any more but is cutting off the 'paper' part of the flange going to change my wear time? Is there a fatal flaw to my thinking??
Posted 7/16/2008 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
A lot of people cut the paper off cos they're allergic to it so you're not alone. The only way to find out if it affects YOUR weartime is to try it - others have and have had much success.

Good luck!
Posted 7/16/2008 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
oh, they DO cut it off?? thanks! Now I don't feel so stoopid. I've read about paperless appliances but didn't know they were referring to the border part (so maybe I AM stoopid after all..ha!)

thanks!
Posted 7/16/2008 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
If I'm itching,,,, I'm leaking. Thats my take on it anyways. scool
Posted 7/16/2008 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Ordinarily, tpoof, that would be my take too..but I'm not leaking. It's just the adhesive in the paper probably. It'll be interesting to see what kind of wear I get after I cut the paper off. Don't think I want to experiment with a day trip coming up, so I'll probably just suffer the itching for the day.
Posted 7/16/2008 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
mmmm, maybe you just have sensitive skin.. or are still healing...
I do know that that itch can be very aggravating... devil

Hope its gets better for you! I feel your pain... makes me itchy.. tongue
It comes and goes for me I like to somewhat try to scratch as close to the wax ring as I can,, helps some..
I try to do something to distract myself at particularly bad moments. walking or something... :-)
Posted 7/17/2008 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have had no problems with my skin in the last 18 months but lately its driving me nuts and is a lot more red then it used to be.
I never thought of cutting the paper off - but am definitely going to give that a try on the weekend (I dont want to risk going out and about like that).
I suggest talking to your ET nurse if your plan does not work for you long term. There may be some skin preps that you can use to protect the skin prior to putting the flange on.
Good luck!
Posted 7/17/2008 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Simmadown-have you tried a different brand of wafers/pouches?  I know the one I currently use (Hollister) is less paperlike...there are a few brands that are formulated for sensitive skin.  Hopefully someone will be along with the name of them, or you might be able to find them in some of the older posts.
Posted 7/17/2008 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
i have problems with the itchies too, one thing that always makes mine worse is if i dont' get the wafer good and dry after a shower. I also figured out that part of my problem was a raised stretch mark that is right under the wafer. I don't know if you are a male or female, maybe i missed that somewhere, but shaving the top of my hair in my girly area helped too, shaving it really close and keepign it down.
Posted 7/17/2008 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
summerstorm, I think what you suggest is what's happening to me. I'm not drying it sufficiently probably after showering. sigh. Almost makes me want to stop bathing altogether but that would be bad, wouldn't it.

Ohio, it took me forever but I finally settled on a manufacturer that works for me: Convatec. Hollister wouldn't go leak free for even a day!

Angela, I use just stomahesive powder under my wafer, nothing else. I found the skin preps too irritating and paste excruciatingly ITCHY! Arggg.

My grand experiment lasted all of one day because cutting off the paper didn't give me the support I needed and the wafer started to come loose in one spot. I am so red and itchy I went without for an hour or so. Then I put on a Microskin just to have something different on there. I betcha I'm up at 3 a.m. putting back on a Convatec. Are we having fun yet?
Posted 7/17/2008 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
get your hair dryer and use it on the bag for a few minutes after you shower,
Posted 7/17/2008 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
get your hair dryer and use it on the bag for a few minutes after you shower,
Posted 7/17/2008 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Simmadown, I

Can't say it enough - Sensura by Coloplast is the best. No paper at all. I've found I'm allergic to every other product.

Also try Welland Medical's product called Flange Extensions. The company is in the UK, but Edgepark Medical carries them. They are waxy like the part you are not cutting (the part that surrounds your stoma). Google Welland Medical and do a search. They are wonderful. Also, my ET Nurse told me to stay away from any "beige" or colored tape. She said sensitive skin people can be allergic to anything but white tape. I thought that was strange.
Posted 7/17/2008 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Summerstorm, do you use the cool setting on your hairdryer? Mine doesn't have one and even the low setting burns my skin! Gonna have to buy a hairdryer with a cool setting, aren't I? (but well worth it if I clear up the itching).

Ohio, that's interesting about the color of the paper~
Posted 7/18/2008 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
i use the hot one
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