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Posted 8/18/2015 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
If your skin looks good, do you have to use these things? Can you just shower, dry the area and slap on a wafer?
Posted 8/18/2015 8:36 AM (GMT 0)
I don't use any kind if skin preps, though I probably should. I do use barriers to protect my skin, but not the powders or whatever. I think I tried it once and I must have to put on too much because the wafer slipped right off afterward.

I've never showered without the bag, but I'm guessing if you do that often there shouldn't be as huge a need for wipes or barriers. You'll have let the skin around the stoma breathe enough to stay healthy.
Posted 8/18/2015 10:12 AM (GMT 0)
I don't use anything on my skin & it's perfect. I change when I shower, so I use an adhesive remover to take off the bag, wipe around the stoma with wet non-woven gauze to remove any large "bits" that may be on it. Then shower and just let the water clean around it. I put another gauze over the stoma as I'm drying myself, to dry the skin around it & just in case he starts acting up. Then I put my seal on & the bag (I use a one-piece).
I only ever put on a bit of powder if my skin is looking a little red or has been itchy, which is quite rare. I used to put it on all of the time, but my stoma nurse said there's no benefit if your skin is already fine.
I like everything being as simple as possible, so that suits me! I don't want to be fiddling with spray & powders & pastes.
Posted 8/18/2015 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
I don't use any of the ostomy powders or barriers....I only use Compound Benzoin Tincture (Friars) under my wafer and around my stoma. My skin is always healthy and no irritations.

I remove my wafer and hop in the shower. I love that shower day, skin gets a break, gets clean and then with this end ileo, I can let it air out for about 30 mins before I put my wafer on. I dry my hair, do my makeup and then apply my wafer. With my previous loop ileo, I couldn't wait more than 18 seconds before that thing was spurting everywhere!

I change every 6-7 days and wear the two piece Sensura click.
Posted 8/18/2015 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
I generally use powder & an Eakin seal- however, I've had times when I use neither, & things are fine. NO skin irritation, leaking, etc. I like the powder, because the stoma is always a little wet, you know? So I figure the powder will soak up any dampness around the base. And the seal I've just gotten used to using, I figure it's one more added barrier in case of leaks.
Posted 8/18/2015 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
thanks.

I didn't use anything the other day and I was wondering if something terrible was going to happen to me. It sounds like it's fine :)
Posted 8/18/2015 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
My opinion
Skin preps,adhesive removers and especially powder hamper the adhesives. Using Benzoin Compound Tincture there is no residue left after removing the wafer. No need for adhesive removers. How in the world can a wafer stick to powder? It can't. Just begging for a leak.
BCT dries sticky. A sticky wafer on sticky skin. It can't get any better.

Gotta go. Dinner is ready. Stir fry.

Polishdan
Posted 8/18/2015 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
My skin has some irritation especially right under the stoma, very red. I started using the tincture last week. So far, only two applications. I did have a small ulcer near the stoma which was fairly deep and bled when I changed my wafer. Before starting the tincture, I was using bacitracin with a tiny bandaid and it seemed to help.

I use adhesive remover, then one of those cloths they use for wash cloths in the hospital with a tiny bit of antibacterial soap and then rinse all residue away. Before starting with the tincture I was using stoma powder. My ostomy nurse told me to use the barrier rings inside the wafer, so I just started with that too. You would think after five years with this stoma my skin would be toughened! rolleyes
Posted 8/18/2015 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
If you're using BCT why are you using the barrier rings, adhesive removers and soap? It all leaves a residue that comprises the wafer adhesive and BCT sticky.
Posted 8/19/2015 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
ever since i got convex wafers, things are pretty much effortless over here. When I was using flat, i was having so many problems. I think my irritation was due to output going under the flat wafer. With convex, nothing goes under so no problems. Another thing that can work well for me is convatec moldable. Those hug right up against the stoma. That + convex = no problems for me. Have you tried them Christine? Maybe your issue is allergy to the adhesive, if that's the case, it's much harder to fix.
Posted 8/19/2015 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
I don't use any, I found most interfered with the adhesive of the bag. I do use soap and antibacterial wipes to clean the skin and stoma, but then I just rinse it, dry with a towel and put a new bag on. My skin is fine. I do change and clean everything every day, I think that's why my skin is good, because in general I have very dry and sensitive skin.

Post Edited (AnnaIvy) : 8/19/2015 4:08:46 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/19/2015 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
I only use Cavilon. No powders, paste or rings. I used to use an Eakin seal, but ran out of them and my supplier was also out of them. Before that, I always had output under the seal, and often spreading out under the adhesive and occasionally to the tape -- at which point I usually spotted the darker colour on the tape and was able to change before getting a real leak. Luckily my skin never seemed to suffer -- occasionally rather red, but usually back to normal after the shower.

One ostomy nurse pointed out that it makes sense -- my stoma is nearly flush with my skin. and I use a convex wafer. But the seal raises the wafer, making it easier for the output to get under it. She also advised using a precut wafer with convexity, as they seem to be more effective than the cut-to-fit wafers. This was certainly my experience. She explained why, but I didn't quite follow.

Sometimes I wonder if the Cavilon is necessary, but it's not expensive compared to the seals, and not a pain to apply, as were the seals, pastes, and strips I tried. So I'm thinking if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Ann
Posted 8/20/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
My ostomy nurse tells me over and over that less is better. adding more things (unless REALLY necessary) can actually make things worse. It gets too complicated, etc.

@Sammy: I am curious, I have heard of the barrier "thing", but I don't really understand what it is or how it works. Would you mind explaining it to me? There are so many different products out there and I am still learning what things are…thanks!
Posted 8/20/2015 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
OMG...now I am confused, which doesn't take much. OK...my ostomy nurse told me to use the stoma powder on the ulcer and nowhere else. He suggested I use the moldable barrier rings. Never a word about that tincture. I am beginning to think he is unaware that it even exists. I have a friend who uses the Karaya paste...not sure I spelled that correctly, around the edge of the wafer.

Polishdan....don't you use anything when you remove the wafer? I feel like I should wash it with something! Not due for a change until Saturday.
Posted 8/20/2015 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Christine
Ostomy nurses have never heard of Balsam Compound Tincture.
BCT is a thin liquid, not a paste. It is a first aid liquid. When I remove my wafer it comes off clean. No residue. So clean that any hair is standing up and I shave with an electric beard trimmer. The BCT comes off with the wafer. Nothing to clean.
Apply BCT on the skin on the entire wafer area. I get it on my stoma and has never been a problem. BCT is waterproof. Try some on your arm. Only alcohol will remove it. If there is any seepage around the stoma the BCT protects the skin.
Water and paper towel leaves no residue to compromise the adhesive quality of the wafer or BCT. BCT dries sticky.
The first time you use BCT you may have to clean previous adhesives and pastes. Alcohol leaves no residue. Adhesive removers leave a residue. Soap leaves a residue.
I use only water and paper towel to clean. Dry with hair dryer. Apply BCT with a Q-tip. Dry again. Apply wafer. That's it.
Geritrix Balsam Compound Tincture is available from
www.drugsdepot.com
search product C2540383
small bottle about $4.50 plus shipping lasts a looong time.

Give it a try.
Dan
Posted 8/20/2015 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Christine
What wafer do you use? My stoma is sometimes retracted so I wear a two piece with convex wafer. The separate wafer allows me to center my wafer when my stoma is retracted. When my stoma is retracted BCT really does the job protecting my skin around the stoma.
Dan
Posted 8/20/2015 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Dan, I use the Coloplast Sensura, one piece system. When I tried two piece bags, could never get the hang of it and neither did the nurses who came to my home after my operation! I like the bags, never had problems with them. OK...I will try just the tincture next time. Thanks.
Posted 8/20/2015 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Great

Dan
Posted 8/22/2015 12:39 PM (GMT 0)

Christine1946 said...
OMG...now I am confused, which doesn't take much. OK...my ostomy nurse told me to use the stoma powder on the ulcer and nowhere else. He suggested I use the moldable barrier rings. Never a word about that tincture. I am beginning to think he is unaware that it even exists. I have a friend who uses the Karaya paste...not sure I spelled that correctly, around the edge of the wafer.

Polishdan....don't you use anything when you remove the wafer? I feel like I should wash it with something! Not due for a change until Saturday.

You should wash it. But soap and water is fine (though if your skin is sensitive, you may need to be careful about which soap).
Posted 8/22/2015 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
Annalvy
Soap leaves a residue no matter how much you rinse. Wafer cannot stick properly.
Posted 8/22/2015 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
I always use soap and mine stick fine. You just need to make sure you wash it off properly.
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