Irritation

Yeah Hey Depiro!!!
Youre right, dont use ANYTHING but water to clean the stoma and the skin around it, because any residue from anything you use will prevent a good seal. The itching is usually a sign for me that my seal is starting to break down and the next morning ill need to change my bag. Since i started using eakin seals and 2-piece systems ive been able to get around 3-4 days out of a change, and the itch and burn is the clue to change it, my ET nurse said because the stool is beginning to hit your skin. I also use skin prep, its a spray on film that you can put on your stoma and around it, and it seems to get the wafer to stick really well. Also, usually the first few hours after a change my stoma itches, probably from the powder i put on any skin that was eaten away, rare, but i dont like any irritation. I hope this helps. The powder really does heal irritated skin within a day or two, its always been healed by the next change for me...good luck. By the way, hows it going? Everything smooth? How about your follow-up appt, how did that go? and what about takedown? I go back on feb. 16 to check the fistula and hopefully schedule takedown if its all hunky-dory...
~Eileen

DePiro, If I notice a significant amount of itching and I don't plan on going anywhere, I'll take a benedryl. That always helps but can cause drowsiness. I take it a few times a week so I don't notice the drowsiness as much as I used to.

Bridget