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Itchy skin remedy

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Posted 9/22/2007 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
I used to get really itchy skin under my wafer, and it was so annoying, because I couldn't get to it to scratch it! I was in the shower one day between wafer changes and was happily scratching away, when I looked up and saw a bottle of Denorex anti-itch shampoo. I grabbed it and used it to clean the skin around my stoma, and it hasn't itched since!!

Have you found any itchy skin remedies that work for you?
Posted 9/27/2007 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Well.. not exactly for itchy skin per se, but it works a charm if you've got skin irritation from leakage and enzymes that may collect under the flange/wafer. The trick is to apply milk of magnesia before replacing with a new wafer. I had some pretty bad irritation, and after applying the milk of magnesia trick, the irritation went away by the next changing.

Here is where I found the trick:

http://www.ostomy.evansville.net/marchnews5.htm#COMMON_OSTOMY_PROBLEMS_AND_POSSIBLE_SOLUTIONS

It's under the heading of "Wonders of Milk of Magnesia", and provides a pretty clear step by step on how to apply it, and also why it works.
Posted 9/27/2007 10:53 AM (GMT 0)
redspout,
Thanks for the Milk of Magnesia tip. I'll give it a try!
Cecilia
Posted 9/27/2007 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
I learned something this morning that doesn't work: Benedryl anti-itch cream. nono It might take away the itch, but it's so greasy that the adhesive wouldn't stick to my skin. I had to toss out the wafer, scrub off the cream, and dry my skin before putting on a new wafer. That's what I get for trying to be adventurous!

Cecilia
Posted 9/27/2007 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Cecilia,

Heh, too bad about the wasted flange. I've had an ileostomy since February of this year, and sometimes trial and error becomes the norm.
I'm wondering though, if your itchiness may be due to a mild skin reaction to your skin prep? Have you tried different brands that may be made of slightly different ingredients. I know that some stomahesive pastes have pectin in them, for example. Or some barrier sprays sting and some don't.

If you're pretty sure the skin prep isn't causing this, what comes to my mind that may stop itching is anti-itch powder. I know there are some brands that are used for feet, I don't see why it wouldn't work around a stoma. Both feet and the skin area around a stoma tend to get moist, some kind of anti-itching powder may do the trick for you.
Posted 9/28/2007 5:30 AM (GMT 0)

redspout said...
Well.. not exactly for itchy skin per se, but it works a charm if you've got skin irritation from leakage and enzymes that may collect under the flange/wafer. The trick is to apply milk of magnesia before replacing with a new wafer. I had some pretty bad irritation, and after applying the milk of magnesia trick, the irritation went away by the next changing.

Here is where I found the trick:

http://www.ostomy.evansville.net/marchnews5.htm#COMMON_OSTOMY_PROBLEMS_AND_POSSIBLE_SOLUTIONS

It's under the heading of "Wonders of Milk of Magnesia", and provides a pretty clear step by step on how to apply it, and also why it works.

I forgot about that trick. I used to use Milk of Magnesia on a regulay basis years ago and can't remember why I stopped . Thanks for the reminder.

Posted 9/28/2007 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Both you and Cecilia are very welcome. Whatever I can do to help.

Cheers.
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