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Raw skin-please help!

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Posted 1/12/2008 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all and Happy New Year to everyone! I haven't posted recently, but I've been around.  I hope someone can help me with this problem.

My skin, under the sticky part of the wafer, is red, itchy, raw, weepy, itchy and irritated to the point of tears!  I can't seem to heal it!  Did I mention itchy? It's like the worst case of diaper rash you've ever seen.  I've always had super sensitive skin to wetness and sticky stuff.  I think what's happening is after my showers, I blowdry the bag and the wafer, but I'm not getting it dry enough or at some point I didn't get it dry enough and it got irritated and now I can't fix it.  It gets worse every day. I can't put anything on it like Desitin, or Zinc or powder b/c then the wafer won't stick to my skin.  What can I do???  I have to keep putting new wafers on top of the raw skin.  Ouch!

I finally got up the nerve to return to work f/t after the first of the year and I was thrilled to be back in the "land of normal" but this problem has me so depressed - a constant reminder that I'm not "normal" anymore.  I just want to take sand paper to it and scratch it off.  Probably not the best solution tho, huh.  I hope someone has some ideas.  Thanks for listening.  -Laura

Posted 1/12/2008 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Candy..

Did you read the topic "skin calming lotion" that I posted on Shaz's behalf the other night? Shaz is a long time ostomate with some great ideas! Maybe this will help you out.
Posted 1/12/2008 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Peggy,
No, I didn't see that one, but I'll definitely look it up. Thanks so much!!! -Laura
Posted 1/12/2008 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Laura,

My skin had the same reaction. It was as if I were sitting in a pile of ants all under my wafer area. My skin was red, rashy, and bleeding. I tried the No Sting Powder but it did not help. My Dr called me in a script for Nystatin powder. I use this every time I change my wafer. I apply the powder and then the No Sting spray before I apply my wafer. Also, Convatec and Coloplast both irritate my skin. The ONLY thing I can wear is Hollister New Image made with Flextend. My skin still itches but is not red and bleeding. The ants are always marching across my stoma...but I just can't figure out how to get them to go away.

Good Luck...
Posted 1/12/2008 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same reaction to certain wafers. My ostomy nurse basically said that sometimes the skin needs a "rest". And she seems to be right. A while ago i had a bad reaction to Convatec wafers i was using. Pretty much the same as you are describing, raw, itchy, painful. I switched to Coloplast and it worked for a while. Then almost the same thing started happening again, raw and itchy. So i switched BACK to the Convatec and it's all good again. Seems like i'll be switching back and forth ever other month.
Posted 1/13/2008 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Laura,
I'm glad Amey told you about Nystatin powder, because that's what I was going to suggest. Your doctor can write you a script for it. Also, they have wafers without any latex in them, for people with latex allergies. You can get free samples from all of the different companies to find the best wafer for you. I'm so sorry you're having this problem, but hopefully, you'll find a solution to it soon.
Posted 1/13/2008 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for all of your suggestions.  I'll definitely ask my doctor about the Nystatin powder.  I can't believe the wafer will stick to any powder.  I've wasted a couple of wafers trying different methods to treat this.  What is the No Sting spray?  Is this something I can order from Byram Healthcare (that's where I purchase my products)?  I think I'm also going to try the special "skin calming lotion" that Peggy and Shaz were talkng about in the meantime until I can get an Rx for the powder from my doctor.  Thanks again!
Posted 1/13/2008 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
The "Skin Calming Lotion' is just Mylanta or Maalox, or Calomine Lotion (or any sort of mixture that's taken for indigestion - just not the mint kind). Don't shake the bottle, skim the watery bit off the top and dab the thicker mixture on to your skin. You might like to use a hairdryer on it's lowest setting to dry it and then just put your wafer on over the top - it helps soothe and heal the skin.

If it's a yeast infection, as your doc for a prescription for Diflucan One if you have it where you are (we can get it OTC here in Australia). One tablet and the yeast clears up within a couple of days.

Good luck.
Posted 1/13/2008 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I called my Dr on the weekend and he called me in a script for the powder over the phone.  You may want to call him so you do not have to wait to get an appt to see him personally.  As far as powder sticking to a wafer...it won't stick.  You have to apply the No Sting spray or No Sting wipes on top of the powder to cover the powder and then let the No Sting dry to your skin for about 30 seconds. You should be able to get the No Sting from your supplier.  Try contacting them.  I was fortunate.  My home care nurse ordered me some and demanded "next day delivery" so I got mine pretty quickly. My skin was so bad that she was not about to have me wait for the regular shipping time.
Posted 2/16/2008 10:31 AM (GMT 0)
one time my skin was soo bad I had to tape a washcloth over my stoma stoma site. I had to keep a watch on it, but I could not wear a bad....and DO NOT use paste is that situation. I cried.sometiems when I'm alone at home and can keep an eye on things i go bagless.....its freeing
Posted 2/16/2008 2:12 PM (GMT 0)

Ang,

Wow, I commend you for going w/o your bag.  Of course, I would never be able to do that since I have an Ileostomy and a very active one at that.  But, girl, you are doing wonderfully if you are able to "handle" that freeing time like you are!  How is the skin around your ostomy now?  Is it all healed? 

Candyland,

 

How is your skin doing?  Did you find anything to help the itchies?  Did it heal for you?

Posted 2/17/2008 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey All - next time you have itchy, oozing, weeping skin, talk to your ET Nurse Practitioner or Doctor about Kenalog spray. It's a prescription and will more than likely need to be special ordered, but with my sensitive skin and allergic reactions to just about everything - this stuff works! It's a steroid, so use it with caution. LONG term use could thin your skin, but they told me you'd have to use it everyday for several years. I'm in Coloplast Sensure (2 piece, precuts) and sometimes use Assura (2 piece, precuts). They both work great. I found I was allergic to first Hollister, then ConvaTec.
Posted 2/17/2008 11:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone -

Well, I've been fighting the good fight against the raw itchies under my wafer and I'm starting to win. I began using a clear caladryl lotion - dotting it all over my raw skin and drying it with a cool blow dryer before putting on a new wafer. It's not perfect, but definitely much improved.

Meanwhile, everything else has gone so wrong. I caught the flu from my 6-year old daughter and while she went on to get well, mine turned into a doozy of a case of Pneumonia! (better me than her of course!) I've been to the ER twice in the last week and 1/2 because of dehydration, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc. I've been through a course of Levaquin (antibiotic) and Tamiflu and I'm still having trouble catching my breath. Plus my ribs feel like little fireplace pokers in my sides everytime I cough - although that seems to be getting a little better (the coughing, therefore the ribs). Tuesday will begin week 4 of this misery. Oh, and I've lost 10 lbs. I'm back to my pre-surgery weight.

On top of that one of my dear friends is fighting breast cancer and another just found out he's in stage 4 renal cancer. It's his only kidney. They gave him no more than 2 years with some experimental treatments. He's 41 years old. I'm 42.

I'm sorry to be such a downer. It's just hard being sick what seems like all the time. I was finally starting to feel like I was living again after the UC battle and then I'm knocked down again with all this mess. I'm sorry to complain. I hope ALL of you are doing well and nobody gets that nasty flu!   -Laura

Posted 2/18/2008 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
I  get yeast infections under my wafer my doctor had a steriod aerosol spray which I applied every time I changed my wafer.  I would also spray it daily too.  I cleared it right up.
Posted 2/19/2008 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
candyland, my prayers are with you and yours.
Posted 2/19/2008 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Praying - you are so sweet! Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. It really means a lot to me. It's been a tough month or so. I've been following your posts since you were a "newbie" not so long ago (me either!) and you are an incredibly strong and thoughtful person. You're going to do great with all things that come your way in life. Isn't this forum great? Thanks again.   -Laura

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