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Skin irritation..again... stomapowder versus milk of magnesia... versus eakin seal?

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Posted 6/23/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I could use some help here.

I'm starting to change my moldable 2 piece system every other day.  My skin continues to break down.  I realize that the stoma heals pretty darn fast.  My stitches came out (or disolved) a few weeks back.  It looks pretty darn healthy, but I'm struggling with skin irritation.  I think it might be because it's a moldable wafer, but I have to have a convex system since I have an "inny" still.  It's come forward a TON though.. It's starting to rise a bit above my skin, but is definitely more even with my skin most days (HUGE improvement from 7 weeks ago).  My stoma itself is irritated as well as the skin around it.

Right now, what I have been doing (and WAS working) was molding my wafer (sometimes cutting it worked better) and then using stomapaste to keep the acid off my skin, and also using stomapowder before applying anything to my skin.  I actually think the milk of magnesia (and dried with a hair dryer) works better as it gives a thicker smooth coat, but I've also heard info about hte Eakin seal?  I don't know if it will help, but I need to do something as I'm going to be in a convex for a while.

Now, let me also say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my system.  I have a 2 piece with a 2 sided comfort panel disposable bag that I change 1-3x per day.  Its the sticky adhesive and I literally just take it off, clean it up, and then stick a new bag on.

Here's another thought.  I've been using the cottonelle moist wipes...are there chemicals in there that are harming my stoma?  I never thought about that until just now.  Wonder if I could just clean it up with a tissue and THEN wipe the outer edge only with a moist wipe?  Or, maybe sensitive baby wipes would work better... thoughts?

Thanks..you guys have been a wealth of info!

Posted 6/23/2009 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kaycie

I too have irritated skin around the stoma. I have to tell me self all the time not to itch it especially as I am changing it, it just about drives me around the bend. I use the stoma paste. The ostomy nurse showed me to run the paste around the stoma like a ring then put the flange over top. She also showed me to use a qtip, running it round the flange closest to the stoma.

I am looking forward to other people's suggestions. Sometimes I wonder if my skin gets iritated because the flange gets wet in the shower and doesnt dry that quickly?

Sue

UC 6 years ileostomy 5 months - still so new to this.
Posted 6/23/2009 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sue - Mine doesn't get wet as I have the wafer and then a protective sticky white part around it, so I know it's not that....as I still shower with the bag. I have used q-tips to get the milk of magnesia in the crevices and also to get the past to get in the right spots...never thought to put paste straight around the stoma tho...hmm..
Posted 6/23/2009 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
i think those wipes could def be part of your problem, they are probably also keepign you from getting a good seal.
You should never use anything with dyes or perfumes or anything like that.
Plain dial soap is good, like the gold kind, or there is some face soap, i think its neutrogena thats good. I clean mine with a cloth and just water, right after the shower and make sure i get every bit of goo and stuff off before i put on the new one.
If you are still using hte skin prep, that could be keepign you from getting a good seal also.
Posted 6/23/2009 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Eakin Seals are great! Definitely give them a try, because they might give you more wear time. Good luck!
Posted 6/23/2009 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Here's my two cents:

I had similar problems at two different times...the first time I was using Convatec's two piece moldable wafer w/convexity, but the moldable part wasn't strong enough to hold for more than a day or so. That meant changing about every two days, too. I switched to a precut Convatec and the issue stopped!

The second time (more recently) I decided I liked the Hollister pouch better and switched for a short period of time. The problem with that was that the wafer didn't work with my need for a good convex wafer, and I was back to two days if I was lucky:( Sometimes, we just can't pick one brand, the brand picks us!! So, I am back to my precut Convatec and get more than I need in wear time. With the heat we've been having in the midwest, I change at 5-6 days and just pick the one that I have more time...it hasn't been a 'necessity':)

And, I do use Eakin Seals, and have for about 8 years...I wouldn't even think of not using them!!!

p.s. anything but a NON RESIDUE (Dial, Nutrogena, Ivory) soap should be avoided since it hinders wear time...I'd start by using something other than wipes before switching from an appliance I liked.

Good Luck!
Posted 6/24/2009 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
i thought that ivory would be a good one too, and it doesnt seem to bother some people, but my ET warned me about it and i had trouble when i was using it!
Made me sooo mad i LOVE the way it smells, lol
Posted 6/24/2009 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I was also told not to use baby wipes- even the sensitive ones.

I am having problems with right around my stoma is broken skin and we have to put the crusty powder on it. We had to do it the last two weeks and there has been no change. But now where the wafer is without the paste is so itchy from all the times I have to peal it off... And I don't change it very often maybe every 5-6 days.

Oh, I just want one day without this thing on so I could itch 'til my heart's content!
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