How to clean stoma?

I am wondering if it's ok to use unscented baby wipes on my ileostomy? Sometimes, actually most times, after my shower when I do my bag change "Lily" always has to make a mess before I get the new bag on! I have been using gauze pads to wipe her off because I had lots of them left from past dressing changes. My supply is gone and I am curious what others use to wipe their stoma with? I know this is the place to get my questions answered, this forum is very helpful for ostomates new and old! Thanks

Good morning!

I just use a cotton pad like I use with my facial toner, and Witch Hazel. I used to use alcohol, but then one day tried the Witch Hazel and it has worked great for over a year.

I also love to let it "air" if I have the time between bag changes. I am home all day today, and am getting in the shower shortly, but have enjoyed some bag free time!!

Mollie

Baby wipes tend to have moisturizers, aloe, petroleum and other things that will hinder your wafer sticking so try to stay away from those. I just ordered stoma-wipes from my supplier Edegpark. They are an adhesive remover wipe but they leave no residue and I have had better luck with having things stick longer since I started using them!!

safe + simple peri-stoma and adhesive remover wipes is what the package says :)

shem99 said...
I like the idea if the cotton facial pads! They come in a pkg of 100 I think and I can get them at the dollar store! That's why I love this forum!

This is exactly what I use [and where I get them] and they work very well and don't leave residue like TP sometimes does. 

I like the safe n' simple peristoma wipes too. I don't think of them so much as to clean my stoma, but to clean my skin when i need to change my pouch and it's not a good time to take a shower.

I'd stay away from the baby wipes for the reasons mentioned above.

I was told dont use the wipes with lanolin..it stops the bag from sticking

I use only paper towel and water. I use Friar's and there is no residue left when I remove my wafer. No need to use any cleaners.

ddd45

I buy the select-a-size paper towel. 1/2 of a sheet is just the right size for cleaning. I cut the whole roll in half with a sharp knife. Each piece is the right size.

Dan

Polishdan, I just received my Friars yesterday and will do my change tomorrow. I just put that around the stoma and skin where the flange goes and that's it??? Very excited to try this!

Thanks,

Kelly

Well, I just remove my old stuff, will wipe with just water and make sure it's dry, then I was going to apply the Friars , the flange and pouch. Is there more? Do I need to use the powder and such?? I will go try the test right now!

I always used the cotton face pads once my supply of gauze from the hospital ran out. I was ale to order a large package of them from amazon pretty cheaply.

Thanks Dan. That is exactly what I did and so far, so good. Will it help with the irritation that was there previously??? I am so excited to see if this works for me. Much easier and less complicated than the powder, wipes and paste.....I never did like the paste. It's been 24 hours and no itching or leaking yet. It did burn a little bit but nothing too uncomfortable.

Thank you again. I will keep you posted.

Kelly

I ordered the Friar's compound tincture of benzoin swabs but have yet to try them because I'm not sure how to go about it. I have some ulcerated areas right around the base of my stoma stemming from a leak about a month ago (I have a perm. ileostomy due to Crohn's Disease). I've not been able to get these areas to heal because they seem to be the cause of new leaks (there are 3 slightly concave, ulcerated spots that go right up to the base of the stoma). I tried layering with the Cavilon spray and powder but still would get some seepage/leakage right where the sore areas are...leading to even more irritation. It's become a viscous cycle. I've had my ileostomy for 7 years and have never had this problem. I have always just used a thin layer of paste around the flange opening and on occasion, if I would have a little irritation, I would use the powder and that would take care of it.

I don't see how I can avoid using paste when I try the Friar's if the skin immediately surrounding the stoma is not level due to the sores? They seem to almost form a tunnel for the output to seep into.

Dan (or anybody), can you offer any advice?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Larasmom - glad you seem to be having success with the Friar's, I hope it continues.

Do you have much of a gap between your stoma and the edge of the flange opening? IIRC, the WOC nurse told me the flange should fit the stoma leaving about 1/8 inch all around so as not to squeeze or restrict it too much. This area is what I'm concerned about as that is where the ulcerated spots are. I use a precut wafer (7/8" - Hollister 2 piece extended wear plus a Sure Seal) but was tempted to try a cut-to-fit type but don't want to cause more problems by fitting the wafer too close to the stoma.

I've been at my wits end for the past few weeks trying to get these sores to heal and stop the re-leaking in that same area. As I posted above, I have rarely had leaks at all the past several years until the one that started all this and burned my skin so badly.

Thanks for your input - I may have to try using the Friar's only and see what happens.