Skin Irritation - Will Compound Tincture of Benzion Help ?

The beginning is one tough learning curve for some of us. I went through horrible rashes over the course of about 4 months (after the 4 months prior having some other issue - it seemed to never end for a while). I tried everything under the sun with the help of ostomy nurses and made an appointment with a dermatologist because the ostomy nurses didn't have anything else up their sleeves. One thing I learned during my journey this past year is that there is an answer for almost all of these lesser issues. The antifungal powder made my issues worse too; that is a first clue that the rashes are not fungal after all.

My advice to you is to cut your regimen down to bare minimum right now, and you have to try that for at least a week to see improvement. Once your skin is irritated, it can take some time to calm down. You may not have been allergic to the Coloplast, but perhaps there was another irritant that got things going. Once, over the summer, I added a new product that I knew I shouldn't be allergic to (I had patch testing over the summer to rule things out), but it turned out I was highly allergic to it, and it took a few weeks for all of the rashes caused by the product to subside.

I found out that I am highly allergic to isopropyl alcohol, as well as having very sensitive skin that reacts to frequent wafer changes. My skin also breaks out in rashes when it gets too dry. The patch testing I had done in the summer only helped ease my mind; I had already determined most of my issues by the time of my appointment by cutting out all but the appliance and an Eakin. Again, it took time, but things did clear up. Liquid Benedryl was my friend for a while so that I didn't go out of my mind with the itching.

Personally, I wouldn't add anything new at this point. I had done some research on the product you describe and apparently it can be an allergin for those with sensitivities. I was ready to try anything, and I had looked that product up more than once. Try to see if you can get your skin to clear up and then add new products again slowly.

As a last resort, there is patch testing if necessary. Everything seems so much worse now because you are fresh out of surgery and hoped all of your issues would go away. They will, but it may take some time. Hang in there! You are not alone! Many of us have been through these same issues and have come out the other side just fine.

Just had my visit with the Home Health care nurse.  When I removed the bag she was a little shocked and call the irritation "angry".  However, it doesn't appear that the irritation is being caused by any leakage.  She put a call into a WOC nurse and the WOC nurse thinks it a dermatitus reaction.  She suggest the following.....apply the nystop, blot with the skin barrier and repeat 2 more times.  This will create more of a mushy scab and I should get better healing.  Also, she wants me to stick with the Hollister until things are totally cleared up.  My HHC nurse will be back in 3 days and we will take another look but she said if I feel any irritation with pain to do a bag change before she comes back.

uc_free....the HHC nurse also assured me of the uniqueness of our bodies and that indeed this is all a learning experience for each of us.  It sure has put me into a funk though but just getting this feedback from all of you has made me feel that somehow, someway, I will find a solution to this issue.  And of course you are right in that I just thought once I had this surgery, the hard part was over.  I knew there would be issues, but of course, we have to experience them to learn about them.

I did go on the Coloplast website and ordered a sample of the Sensura for if and when I can make a product change.  Thanks again everyone.

MistyCoffe.....When you use the stoma powder, how do you get a good seal ? I thought the whole idea of using the skin barrier on top of the stoma powder was get a good seal. Do you just let the powder settle into the affected areas and brush the rest off ? And still get a good seal ? Interesting if that works because that skin barrier stings like the dickens and I'd rather not use it.

I like the Hollister too but I sure do like that fold in feature of the Coloplast. The tail of the Hollister tends to poke my upper leg from time to time. A minor issue all in all.

Hey Dan
i was curious about the type of B of T you use, do you clean it all off at the time you change bags, or do you put another coat over the top of it? I had a bottle of the type that washed off, it did well for a few weeks and then I had some irritations from it. Was considering trying the other type.
thanks

Ridge
If it washes off it is not the right type. Being waterproof ii is a skin barrier. When you remove the wafer the B of T comes off with the wafer and leaves clean skin. I use an electric beard trimmer to shave the area. I shave as soon as I remove the wafer....before I clean with water and paper towel. No sticky mess. The Canadian pharmacy that I got mine from does not ship to the USA. Someone got the B of T swabsticks from a different pharmacy.

Whoever.....what pharmacy for the swabsticks?

Dan

Hey guys, I found palace online if you just query b of t it will come up. I think it was out of Seattle (med direct or something). They shipped to Canada for $7.00 and I had the swabs in 5 days. I did my last change last Thursday and it still feels great, no itching, burning or bothering. In fact, I almost forgot it was there today while out shopping!

Dan, thanks again for putting me onto the Friars. I love it and the swabsticks will be great for traveling! And for in my emergency kit when I return to work.

polishdan said...
Ridge
If it washes off it is not the right type. Being waterproof ii is a skin barrier. When you remove the wafer the B of T comes off with the wafer and leaves clean skin. I use an electric beard trimmer to shave the area. I shave as soon as I remove the wafer....before I clean with water and paper towel. No sticky mess. The Canadian pharmacy that I got mine from does not ship to the USA. Someone got the B of T swabsticks from a different pharmacy.

Whoever.....what pharmacy for the swabsticks?

Dan

I found the swabsticks through this Allegro medical supply website: http://www.allegromedical.com/ostomy-supplies-c529/tincture-of-benzoin-swabs-p560209.html

My skin issues have all cleared up and I am back to 7-8 day wear time for my appliance - still using the B of T. It has been a life and sanity saver for me!

It's called Friars and Bootstrap posted a picture of the bottle a while back.

Hope it works for you!!!