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OMG THE ITCHING

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Posted 12/6/2013 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
The itching is horrendous! I don't now if it's related to starting my Humira, but since I did, the skin irritation under my wafer is bad. It all started when I changed brands, I wanted to try the coloplast one piece (I had been using hollister). THe coloplast is comfortable, but is harder to remove. I thought that it ripped out the hair from the follicle and it seemed like i had "razor bumps" as the hair grew back--under the next wafer. But a week later, the skin is worse. It's all red, and is esp itchy along the edges of the adhesive. there were even a few bumps 2-3 inches outside of the wafer, so I also considered maybe I'm allergic to the coloplast skin prep?? Or maybe I have developed an allergy to the hollister since starting the humira??

I have no idea what to do about this. The skin is not broken (other than in one spot i have scratched open :() I only have skin prep and powder. Is there some other product I should use? Is this something I see my surgeon about if I can't clear it up?? Any help appreciated!! Thanks!
Posted 12/6/2013 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried taking an OTC antihistamine like Benadryl or Zyrtec? Does that relieve the itching?

It sounds like it might be a fungal infection which is very common under the wafer. You can try using athlete's foot powder under your wafer -- basically after you clean your skin, before you use skin prep, sprinkle the powder onto your skin all over where the rash is, then use a clean piece of TP/paper towel/gauze to brush away all of the excess. Enough will be left behind in your pores to fight the fungus, but you want to make sure to get rid of most of the powder so your wafer will still adhere.

Anyway, that can't hurt and if it gives you some relief then you'll know you're on the right track.
Posted 12/6/2013 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I did wonder about a yeast infection, since it looks the same as when my babies would get them in the diaper area. Good call, i'll try that. you think powder over cream? I have been taking OTC zyrtec for regular allergies and have not seen any effect on the itching.
Posted 12/6/2013 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely powder. The cream could keep your wafer from sticking. The brand of powder I used is Zeasorb but any basic athlete's foot powder should be fine.
Posted 12/6/2013 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much I will try ASAP
Posted 12/10/2013 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Grandview
Have you read the threads about Benzon Compound Tincture? I have not had any rashes or itching so I have no experience with BCT for that. BCT is a first aid product and skin barrier. It dries sticky so the wafer sticks really well. Not expensive. $4.49 plus $8.00 S&H.
drugsdepot.com item c2540383. Geritrex Benzoin Compound Tincture.

Dan
Posted 12/10/2013 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
thanks, i will look at it now
Posted 12/10/2013 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Please explain how the BCT works with the skin prep and the fungal powder? In what order, instead of,or????
Posted 12/10/2013 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm I remember back when I was on humira I would get extremely itchy and my skin would dry up when I never had that problem before. I haven't been itching ever since my gastroenterologist took me humira because of me getting the ileostomy.
Posted 12/11/2013 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
My process... Clean with only water and paper towel. I use select-a-size sheets in half. No soap or anything else. Even a washcloth has soap residue. Clean with water and paper towel, dry with hair dryer for about ten seconds. Apply BCT with a q-tip. Dry with hair dryer again and apply wafer. No skin preps, powders, creams, etc. When you remove the wafer after BCT usage there will be no residue. I shave the stoma area with an electric beard trimmer before I clean! The hair is standing up. BCT is a first aid product and dries sticky.

Dan
Posted 12/11/2013 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Also there is a more potent anti-fungal powder called Nystatin which requires a prescription. Generally a few days of this works well. Your ostomy nurse or a nurse from your surgeons office should be able to get a script for you simply over the phone. Also with a skin rash, you should change your wafer more frequently.

You probably should switch back to your previous wafer, at least temporarily. Possibly this new wafer is holding in moisture somehow and your skin reacted to it.

If the anti-fungals and some over the counter anti-itch drugs at night like benadryl don't work in a few days then you should get in to see an ostomy nurse.
good luck
Posted 12/11/2013 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
THanks, I am doing some of those things already and hoping for some results. I only used the coloplast the one time and then switched back to the Holister. I like the holister systme better overall,but the charity kits they send you have the clip closure not the velcro and I get sick of dealing with that. It leaks a little and is harder to clean. So the coloplast was just to give me a little break from that. Have been back on the holister for the last few changes. I am going to change my system out every 2 days instead of every 4--I was rationing my supplies. I have not had a chance to acquire the BCT, but I am using tinactin powder spray and that seems to help. I did put the skin prep over it--jeepers did that ever burn, as did when I applied the wafer and the adapt paste hit my skin :(.

I do think it must be systemic candida. I now have itchy bumps on the tops of my feet, base of my toes, and I rarely wear socks and shoes so there should not be a moisture issue there. Besides I am craving sugar worse than ever! I see my surgeon on Tues, so if no change I will speak to her then.

THanks for all the help and tips, everyone!
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