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Calling All Sensitivity to Appliance/Tape Experts - Does Any Barrier Work?

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Ostomies
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Posted 8/24/2014 12:48 AM (GMT 0)

I love my Convatec Moldable, but I have developed a sensitivity/allergy to the tape border and have been cutting it off and substituting another tape to help hold it on.   All the tapes I have tried, just aren't getting it, but I hate to give up my beloved moldable wafer and it won't hold without taping.

Is there truly any barrier that will keep me from breaking out from my apparent sensitivity/allergy to the tape?   It is not a yeast problem.

I have Cavillon and Convatec's Barrier [formerly Silesse].  I even have another Coloplast roll-on that is supposed to work for ostomy wafers, but it is greasy and nothing sticks...go figure.

There is Duo Derm, but it is expensive and there are now barrier sheets which is an extra step and extra expense.

What I really want is a good barrier that will keep me from breaking out from the tape border. Probably really dumb to want to continue using something I have a sensitivity to, but I LOVE my appliance.

Thanks !!!

Posted 8/24/2014 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
I used Cavillon for about a week and I found out that I'm allergic to it. Itching and the appliance didn't stick as well as when I used no barrier spray. That was two years ago and I have never had a problem not using a barrier, either before or after the Cavillon experiment. After that experience I stayed away from the barriers. Some do have very good luck with the barriers. Just not me. You might try going without and see what happens.
Posted 8/25/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
If you query Friars Balsam or Tincture of benzoin (same stuff) you may find that helpful. I use it under my entire wafer. No irritation or sensitivity.

K
Posted 8/25/2014 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Convatec stuff irritates my skin as well no matter what barrier I try. Coloplast wafers do not adhere as well as Convatec so I use Hollister adhesive spray on the coloplast wafers and All is good. Good luck
Posted 8/25/2014 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Coloplast Brava strips are what I use. They come as a half moon, so I use two to go all the way around. They have stopped breakouts several times and adhere to the skin very strongly.
Posted 8/26/2014 2:49 AM (GMT 0)

driver57:  Cavillon works for me, but not well enough to keep me from breaking out.  I think I do need a barrier of some sort.   Thanks :)

Larasmom:  I am a die hard T of B fan, but never tried it "all over" since it is so messy.  I should try that, huh?  Thanks :)

Rabbit81586:  Coloplast do not sick to me, either, and I do not like the closure as well as Convatec and Hollister.  Hollister worked well for me before I discovered the moldable.  I just found out that Hollister has a moldable, so I am going to try to get some samples.  Thanks :)

Silent Lucidity:  I actually have some samples of the Brava strips, but have not tried them.  I figured if I LOVED them, they would be too expensive in addition to my Eakins which I MUST have.  I will try the Brava strips with my next change.  Thanks :)

Posted 8/27/2014 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I love Convatec Durahesive wafers too, but the outer tape irritates my skin. I cut it off and replace it with small strips of 3M Medipore tape instead. I cut 1/2" by 1" pieces and attach them to the wafer so they radiate out like sun rays. They stick to both my skin and the wafer very well... I hike in hot weather and even swim and they stay put fine. If one strip does happen to peel up, I just remove it and add a fresh one. Have you tried the 3M Medipore? It is hypoallergenic and also has a bit of stretch to it.

The Brava strips mentioned above work well around the wafer too. I just find that they are more than I need and the tape is cheaper and feels more light-weight.
Posted 8/27/2014 4:24 AM (GMT 0)

Blueheron: I have actually seen a picture of your "sun rays" and that is what gave me the idea to cut off the tape :-)

Medipore is the tape I have been using, but for picture-framing.   I have never tried it the way you do it because I thought I needed more tape as I am squishy and rotund.   I might try your way and see.  I think the convex wafers cause me more trouble than the flat ones, so perhaps the "sun rays" would work better for me with a flat wafer. 

BTW, I have also been using your "chef's hat" and it has been such a great tip.   I don't need to use nearly as many swear words as I used to at change time smilewinkgrin

Posted 8/27/2014 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
I am also very sensitive to the tape, but still use a Convatec Durahesive wafer. They do make a no tape wafer, but it is not moldable. I need a little convexity, so I just get their convex inserts, put them in the cut-to-fit Durahesive wafer, and I'm good to go. I think there is a pre cut option in this wafer also, but can't say for sure. Maybe if you tried one of those, and put a barrier ring under the wafer, it might be similar to a moldable....since the ring tends to raise up through the space between the wafer and stoma a bit.
Posted 8/28/2014 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Have any of your guys with skin sensitivities tried the Stoma Seal by Costa Medical? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfJZ6riusf8

It's tegraderm and should be pretty skin friendly. I haven't tried my samples yet, but this might be a solution for irritated skin (from your wafer) as it provides a physical, not chemical barrier.
Posted 8/28/2014 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
I did try these once and had no luck. I don't know if they bothered my skin, because I didn't have it on long enough to know for sure. After a couple days it unstuck from my skin completely, taking the wafer with it. I haven't tried again. Curious to hear how they work for you, Vegan!
Posted 8/28/2014 11:46 AM (GMT 0)

UCwhat? said...
After a couple days it unstuck from my skin completely, taking the wafer with it. I haven't tried again. Curious to hear how they work for you, Vegan!

That is definitely a concern. I'll be caution when trying that.
Posted 10/14/2014 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I was having skin rashes,the itchy from the tan colored wafers ,I switched to the white(no dye) wafers and that helped a lot .I use Convatec naturawafers and very little stoma adhesive.
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