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Ideas to clear up skin directly next to stoma

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Posted 8/10/2014 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have a small area just below my stoma (like literally where you can see the stitches) that's ulcerated now. It started as a tiny sore, but is getting slightly worse. I try very hard to get my barrier ring and as close as possible, but there seems to be a tiny little leak that's recurring. I've been thinking about putting a tiny amount of stoma paste right on this area before putting on my bag. Do you think that would help? For the most part the skin is fine other than that area. I think the issue is mostly sleep. When I'm lying down everything has a chance to just sit there. Ideas and tips appreciated! Thanks!
Posted 8/10/2014 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Did you recently have your colectomy? The reason I ask is I had something similar right after. What was happening is that the skin was pulling back from the suture line. My WOCN said I needed protein and to fill that ulceration with stoma powder and leave your wafer on for the 3 days and don't over change it.

So fill that sucker with stoma powder, drink a protein shake and heal up buddy. Once you get back your nutrition your body will heal up. I noticed a diff very quickly, within a week so I'm sure you will too. Good luck
Posted 8/11/2014 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Surgery was July 1. It's a little irritated all the way around the stoma just very close to the edge. Just today it started to look more like an ulcer (kind blood blister very thin running about 0.5cm) along the bottom edge. I'll have to find some stoma powder. Any particular good ones?

Post Edited (Axis) : 8/10/2014 8:54:07 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/11/2014 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Also, wondering if insurance would likely cover this or out of pocket cost? Thanks!
Posted 8/11/2014 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Any stoma powder should do. Yes, insurance should cover it.
Posted 8/11/2014 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Yea like Bania said, any stoma powder will do. There's also nystatin powder as well but that's more for yeast. The trick with the powder is to absorb any moisture, you can also use it with your barrier wipes, this is called "crusting". I use stoma powder with every change, always have.

As far as the insurance goes I cannot answer to that, I'd assume it would be covered under the same part as your ostomy products, but I get everything through the VA.

Keep us posted
Posted 8/11/2014 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
yup, stoma powder- I have 2 brands, Hollister Adapt powder, & some other generic brand. Both work fine, they're all basically the same thing- karaya powder ??? So dry the area real good when you do a change, squirt a bunch of powder on the irritated spot, you could use an Eakin over it, then stick on your wafer. It should be close to healed, if not already healed, by your next change. But give it at least 4 days between changes, the longer the better.
Posted 8/12/2014 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I ended up changing my bag early. Sometimes it wrinkles about an hour after I put it on... drives me nuts. Yes, it was dry. Not quite sure what's going on seems to only happen with 1 piece bags. Long story short I started feeling a little itchy, think it was moisture as there were no leaks after I checked and changed up. Spot doesn't look worse, but not better. Tried to stick a little stoma paste there on the change as I don't have the powder yet.
Posted 8/13/2014 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Powder is the way to go. Also, stop changing so frequently. You could be having a reaction to the adhesive on the wafer. I had similar issues so use the powder to clear up the ulcer and get a hold of some medical adhesive spray. Spray that on the wafer about 5-10 minutes before you apply it, also use barrier wipes.

Don't worry you'll figure it out.
Posted 8/14/2014 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
I have had good luck with Duoderm. Here is a blog post I wrote about the method I use.

http://ostomyoutdoors.com/2013/04/01/using-duoderm-to-protect-peristomal-skin/

Also, if you find that you do need to change your wafer often to heal up that skin, a silicone-based spray adhesive remover works really well. You just spray it under the wafer as you peel it back. It minimizes the trauma a lot! The silicone-based removers leave no residue so you do not have to wash you skin afterwards before putting on a new wafer. It comes in wipes too, but the spray works better for removing the actual wafer. The wipes are nice for removing sticky tape residue. Convatec and Coloplast both make a silicone-based spray. I have tried both and they seem identical.

Convatec Sensicare Adhesive Releaser Spray: http://www.convatec.com/products/skin-care/sensi-care/sensi-care-sting-free-adhesive-releaser-spray/p-609e1b05-269d-4dfb-8ca6-711554d3629b/3_0022/

Coloplast Brava Adhesive Remover Spray:
http://www.coloplast.us/brava-adhesive-remover-en-us.aspx?gclid=CO3Kr6jSkcACFUEbaQodXoQA9w#-

Good luck!
Posted 8/16/2014 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
     The skin around my stoma is STILL red and it has been over four years since my operation.  No ulceration or infection, just redness.  Sometimes it looks worse than others.  Waiting for Edgepark to send me some samples of cream that just came out.  I forgot the name of it..lol.  I noticed that it is worse depending on what I eat.  For instance...acid foods like spaghetti sauce....irritation!  I change my bag every third day.
Posted 8/16/2014 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
GERATRIX BENZOIN COMPOUND TINCTURE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 8/16/2014 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
I second Polishdan a million times over!!!! Dear god, try it....you don't have anything to lose!
Posted 8/19/2014 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Larasmom
Why is it so hard to convince people to try Benzoin Compound Tincture? Why do people resist trying it?
They don't know what they are missing.

Dan
Posted 8/19/2014 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Dan, I would love to try the benzoin compound but its difficult to get in the uk and when you do see it available, its far too expensive. But i'll keep on the look out for it in the uk at a reasonable price.


Just looked again at amazon.co.uk. They have the geritrex benzoin on sale at the moment for £20 for a 1oz bottle. This is the lowest i have seen it here. How long would you expect a 1oz bottle to last?

Post Edited (letthepeoplesing) : 8/19/2014 11:18:14 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/19/2014 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dan. I'll have to try that.
Posted 8/19/2014 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
I can purchase it here in Canada for about $12 a bottle and likely ship it to the UK for less than what you pay. A bottle usually lasts me 4 months or so but I am very generous in the application of it because I am able to easily order it.

I hope you can find a different source. If not, let me know and we can work something out.

Kelly
Posted 8/20/2014 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm interested in the difference between the benzoin compound that works and the one that doesn't. What exactly is the difference between the 2. There is a friars balsam easily available in the UK which seems to have the same ingredients and from the reviews I have seen, it says it is really difficult to remove as its so sticky. Is this not what you have been describing?
Posted 8/20/2014 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
If it's sticky and hard to remove (as in, can only be removed with alcohol wipes) THAT'S THE STUFF YOU WANT TO BUY!!!  Woo hoo! 

Just don't spill it on your counter, floor or anywhere that is dear to you....it's difficult to get off.....I use Friar's under the entire area my wafer covers and if by chance I stray outside a little bit, I have fuzz from whatever color shirt I am wearing stuck there!

I pray you can find it.  If it's as you described, that's the stuff.

Good luck!

kelly

Posted 8/20/2014 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
can someone clarify the benzoin stuff for me- I did buy a bottle pre-surgery, but I haven't used it yet. It's been my understanding that one uses it to help get a good seal with a wafer- prevent leaks, mainly. But I always seem to see it recommended for skin irritation? So do you folks who use it recommend it for skin because it gives a good seal/no leaks, or is there some first aid quality to it I don't know about???
Posted 8/20/2014 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I used friar's balm when i was irritated with my ileo. i only needed to use it until the irritation got better. It is really sticky and so the wafer sticks to it nicely, and it is healing to boot! it's cheaper than benzoin i believe, $12 on amazon in the US.

If you need to create a barrier over a spot near the stoma that you can't seem to cover with eakins or the wafer itself, you can apply a thick slab of ilex paste. you'll have to reapply it at least once a day, so if you don't wear a click wafer you'll go through lots of bags, but that stuff is amazing. It's a moisture barrier that kicks all other lotiony moisture barriers butts. I had a spot similar to what you're describing Axis, and this is what i did. It took about a week to get better and then i didn't need the paste anymore. But of course that all depends on what exactly the spot you have is.
Posted 8/20/2014 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
(Larasmom) Kelly, thanks for the advice. I'll go ahead and order the 'uk' version of friars and will give it a go. I really hope it's the same stuff as I know you and polishdan swear by it. I'll definitely keep you up to date on how i get on with it.

If it doesn't work out, its only a few pounds and nothing ventured nothing gained.

Danny.
Posted 8/21/2014 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Awesome. Put some on your arm, let it dry and then run it under water. If it's the right stuff it WON'T wash off.....then you will have to remove it with an alcohol wipe!

Let me know!!!
Posted 8/21/2014 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Been gone for a couple days. The US counterpart to Friar's in Canada is by Geritrex. Find it at
drugsdepot.com
Search for product # C2540383 Benzoin Compound Tincture

Same ingredients as Friar's. Works the same. I have used both.
They help the wafer stick and help ulcers and open skin to heal.
Marvelous products.

Dan

Post Edited (polishdan) : 8/20/2014 10:17:33 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/24/2014 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
This benzoin. Does it have to be removed every change or just leave it because it's such a pain. If my skin is irritated I definitely don't want to be using alcohol wipes.

Update on the spot: It's looking better, still a bit red though. I finally got some stoma powder to use today not sure I really got enough on there (think I might have to lay to get a good coating on the spot), but at least it's already looking better.

side note: Tried out one of the sensura mio bags today. It seems fairly comfortable and I really like the bag itself. We'll see how the wafer works out. Also, I'm wondering if when any of you remove your wafers if there's any leakage. I had some today but it doesn't really seem to damage my skin. It gets stuck up in the eakin seal and just kind of sets there and doesn't really burn anything. I never know until I change.
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