Awful skin (pic)!!! :( any ideas?

[littlefreebird]

hey so i'm still waiting for my small bowel series to hopefully give me answers to why some output is coming out of the base of the stoma. since i discovered this in feb/march of this year i also started developing irritated skin under the wafer of my coloplast bags.

tonight ive only realised how bad my skin is- i think i was just ignoring it for a while but tonight it really looks more awful than usual. i have put on a novalife mini bag by dansac for tonight as the wafer is TINY- literally a couple of inches by a couple of inches. i'm not feeling very secure as the wafer is so small but i have to let my skin breathe tonight. it definatley looks like i'm allergic to these coloplast bags- i have always found them to be quite itchy but have put up wih it.



sorry for posting a pic but was hoping some ostomates could let me know if they've had similar or if they think its an allergic reaction.

i was pulled aside already for my attendance at work so i realllllllly can't see a stoma nurse this month- mine are pretty useless anyway.

 

[PsychoJane]

Aye Aye Aye!
LFB, this looks like a ouchie case of contact dermatitis. This must be burning isn't it?

Here are a few questions:
-Do you use skin prep spray?
-In it's actual state, does your skin weeps?
-Do you have Karaya powder?

I've had that at some point happening to me, not as much though. It can be allergic reaction but it can also just be irritation kinda stuck into a vicious circle if I may word it that way.

I think that the idea of letting your skin breath is good. I would maybe try the following when you change your appliance next time. Usually, thermal water in spray does me good. I spray that, then use the karaya powder then apply the skin barrier. There are different kinds and I would suggest the coloplast skin barrier spray if that is not what you are using. I like it cause it is silicon based instead of acrylate like many others.

It could possibly be a good idea to use some steroid cream or spray if it does not get better. Otherwise, if it does not get better with the powder and spray, there is something called duoderm that you can put on the skin before the appliance. It can really help as long as you are not allergic to the duoderm too which is a possibility.

I hope this helps you and that your skin will get better quickly!

 

[Kelly2]

Good idea posting the pic - it makes it easier to help you when we can see the rash. There are just 2 things I would like to offer to help you.

The first one, is to make absolutely 100% sure your skin is completely dry before you attach your wafer. After cleaning the skin and drying it thoroughly (with a hair dryer!), I would put convatec stomadhesive protective powder, and then spray the skin with Cavillon No Sting spray, which is a protective barrier. You can buy this online for $9. I would do this in 2 - 3 layers, and then make absolutely sure the skin is completely dry, using a hair dryer, before I apply the wafer. If you don't make sure the skin is dry, it will cause moisture to get trapped under the wafer, which is bad for your skin.

The 2nd bit of advice I would like to offer is after you are done, stack several pieces of soft tissues together, and cut out the shape of your rash (where the bag touches the skin). Tape this protective layer of tissue to cover your rash, so that it forms a protective barrier against the bag. In other words, put the tissue between the bag and your skin. This will allow your skin to not come into contact with the bag, and cause this allergic reaction. Before you put the tissue on, I would sprinkle the rash with the convatec stomadhesive powder to aid in the healing.

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I hope this helps in some way!! Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[Samboi]

The chap at my Stoma supply shop suggested munching on a few marshmallows (this slows the output), then resting on the couch with just a cool wet flannel or facewasher over the Stoma for an hour or two.
This has given me a lot of relief when my skin has been irritated and disease active.

I hope you feel better soon. Your poor skin looks very angry and you must be in quite a bit of pain

 

[2thFairy]

Yeah, that looks like a reaction to the adhesive or the plastic itself. I would try a different brand of bag. I have known some people to completely cover the skin around the stoma with Tegaderm before applying the bag because they were allergic to all brands.

 

[Nyx]

When I had the abscess beside my stoma I put a piece of gauze over the yucky part, and then put the flange on top and sealed the edges with tegaderm. I think you need to get some separation from your flange and give your skin a break. Good luck! Hope it feels better soon...

 

[JMC]

I had a slightly different problem to you, irritated skin due to leakages. The answer for me was:
1) give it some air, spend an hour or so without a bag on
2) change the type and shape of the bag - I think this is your best option
3) use Cavilon spray to give your skin some protection
4) change your bag more frequently

 

[Terriernut]

Ouch!!! That looks awful. Nothing further to add to what has been suggested, but hoping it clears up for you soon!

 

[littlefreebird]

it looks more painful than it is. its not overly sore just feels very sensitive and warm.
its not weeping as such but skin is tacky.

im definatley liking these dansac bags, the wafer is so tiny my exposed skin is already drying up.

i have used skin barrier sprays and didnt find them helpful so ive just recently started to use dansac skin lotion tissues which are slighty stingy to apply but i want to try them for a while.

the convatec skin stomadhesive powder affected the adhesion of the bags when i used it- i only put a bit on my finger and dusted it around but bags would not stick at all.

thankyou for the tips on using tape and tissue to keep bag off my skin for a while and on using a hairdryer. i will give it a try!

 

[hopeful]

This definitely looks like an allergic reaction to the adhesive.

I would try a different brand.

Personally I use the Convatec as they self-mold (no cutting required).

 

[ameslouise]

Glad you are seeing improvement already. Hope it clears up completely soon!!

- Amy

 

[Terriernut]

Yes Hannah, I've used the Dansac for my skin issues as well. And my word they stick really well too! But I have the one piece Dansac for emergencies. I cant do one pieces! But you know, that might be good for you right now.

I'm glad to hear things are improving!

 

[2thFairy]

......I'm jealous of your smooth tummy! Too many abdominal surgeries have left me with lots of lumps and indentions from adhesions pulling.

 

[JMC]

I've used the Dansac for my skin issues as well. And my word they stick really well too!

I am using a Dansac bag too and have never had any skin issues. I tried a Salts bag but it leaked like crazy and would not stick properly. I also tried a convex Hollister bag, but it would not stay on without sticky extender strips. Dansac, for my skin at least, seem to have the best glue, it sticks well when you want it to, yet I can peel it off without adhesive remover when I need to change it.

 

[PsychoJane]

Just a quick comment about the stomahesive powder (which is pretty much the same as the Karaya powder I was referring too earlier). You can't really use it without using a skin prep barrier on top. I mean you can, but as you said, it won't stick. With a double coating of spray it usually stays on fine on my side.

 

[Leebie3]

oooo honey! no words but LOTS of hugs! OUCHIES!!!! xoxo

 

[Hobbes650]

Hi LF!,

I use Eakin barriers (large ones) in between the pouch and skin. They REALLY help to protect the skin and dramatically increased my wear time. I do not use the stomahesive powder, but if your rash is bad then it's fine. I just use some baby powder first, before applying the Eakin barrier. The small barriers don't work well for me but the large wafers are my skin savior.

Good luck!
Hobbes650

 

[skippy111]

I use the Stoma wipes to clean the stoma and the area around it, afterwards I pat dry with gauze,

I use the convatec powder too, don't be afraid to put it on.. you want that area around the stoma nice and dry.

I use a flange and not a waifer so I use the Adapt paste around the inner ring of the flange. this combo seems to work for me.

and no im not a sales rep for Hollister, I just like their products lol

 

[littlefreebird]

oh i thought wafer and flange were 2 words for the same thing i.e. the sticky bit? lol

my skin is getting a lot better, just light pink and a little flaky now. i'm liking the dansac mini bag but does anyone else find it hard to clean after emptying? i find it hard to get the top clean before folding it- the next time i go to empty its still always a bit icky- eww! it's rather annoying, never got my hands dirty with the coloplast bags.

 

[Terriernut]

I use the wet toilet paper to help. I only use the Dansac when I have bad skin and just need a change. I only have the one piece Dansac though. But yes, I find the bags harder to keep clean too.

I am glad your skin is clearing up!

 

[Misty-Eyed]

I'm still using dansac bags and their major downside is getting the end clean. At the beginning I found it helpful to actually clean around the inside before folding it up. Now I have the hang of being able to clean it without, although I still like to change my bag every couple of days anyway. Is it the newer nova life bags that you are using or the old style? The newer ones are easier to clean than the old ones, although not as easy as coloplast bags.

I just love how low they are though. Every other brand has the top of the bag at my waist line and I hate that.

 

[skippy111]

Freebird, I am glad to hear your skin is healing better

Mysty,
I am still using the Hollister lock n rolls, I find that using the adapt lubricating deodorant helps with emptying the bag, I use the Squirter thing (the plastic syringe that you squirt water in the bag to rinse) and just use toliet paper to wipe the inside of the bottom where the clip goes...

Sometimes i get my fingertips dirty but not that much, I always wash my hands after i empty the bag anyway..

When I change the bag I use the stoma wipes to clean the stoma and use the 4x4 gauze pads to pat it dry.

I had bought the no rinse spray to use when I empty the bag because it gets the bag cleaner than just water but somehow I seemed to have missplaced it Ive been looking for it for about 2 weeks now..

what I liked about the disposables were they had the charcoal filters in them so I didnt need to vent the bag at all... the lock and rolls do not have a filter like the velcrow ones do.. I seem to need to vent my bag a lot.. the Lubricating Deodorant helps somewhat but I carry a small can of air freshner for back up lol

such a process ugh!

 

[Misty-Eyed]

I am honestly too lazy to do with all that to empty my bag, skippy. Plus I like to go to the toilet empty handed! As long as the end is clean, that's all I really care about! Why did you change from the Velcro ones?

 

[skippy111]

The Hospital had given me the velcro ones and then the nurse signed me up for the 2 month free supply deal since my medicaid hadnt kicked in yet.. they sent me a few of the disposable ones and then the lock n rolls, I am thinking about getting the velcro ones when i re-order because they have the charcoal filters..

If I am out someplace and need to empty I just do a quick empty and make sure the bottom opening is clean, I guess I am just being a bit obsessive compulsive with the Rinsing and all when I empty at home, lol

I STILL CAN"T FIND MY NO RINSE SPRAY

I guess I am a bit self concious with the bag. it is still kinda new to me..

 

[Hobbes650]

Hi Skippy!

I don't use bags with filters because the filters only seem to work for a few days and I get a week's worth of wear before I need a new one. Instead I use odor eliminator drops by Hollister. Just put a few drops in after emptying each time. Works just as well. The container is about the size of eye drops, so easy to keep handy.

Best,
Hobbes

 

[skippy111]

are you talking about the M9 or the clear stuff?

I have a bottle of the Adapt lubricating deodorizer, its the bigger bottle, and the m-9, (the blue stuff)

the reason i like the filters is because of the air buildup in the lock n rolls, im getting a lot of air, (gas).. my stoma farts are loud too

 

[Hobbes650]

M9, that's the one I use. Cranberry juice is also good.

 

[skippy111]

you mean straight cranberry juice?

yeah i have the m9 too, it works but i need the lubricating stuff too ..

 

[Hobbes650]

Cranberry juice, however you drink it, takes away odor. May help with sound too. Just get used to hearing comments about the other thing it's good for (pms).

you mean straight cranberry juice?

yeah i have the m9 too, it works but i need the lubricating stuff too ..

 

[skippy111]

wait, do i drink the juice or can i put the juice in the bag?

dont worry about the pms posts,

we are all here to help support each other, and learn from one another..

 

[Hobbes650]

Drink it. I never thought about putting it into the pouch before- but I'm sure the m9 would work better that way.

 

[skippy111]

oh ok, just wanted to make sure, lol

 

[littlefreebird]

michelle, its the new dansac novalife bags im using. the sticky bit is oval instead of diamond. the dirty-ness of it is so annoying, i felt like emailing the company lol do the people that design actually have to wear them? they musn't do!

lol i'll be switching back to coloplast as soon as my skin is 100%- ive had 2 leaks since using these dansac bags, 1st time was because i had food poisoning and i had a blowout in my sleep. 2nd time was yesterday but i got it before it leaked onto anything.

the wafer/flange is just too small.

 

[Terriernut]

michelle, its the new dansac novalife bags im using. the sticky bit is oval instead of diamond. the dirty-ness of it is so annoying, i felt like emailing the company lol do the people that design actually have to wear them? they musn't do!

lol i'll be switching back to coloplast as soon as my skin is 100%- ive had 2 leaks since using these dansac bags, 1st time was because i had food poisoning and i had a blowout in my sleep. 2nd time was yesterday but i got it before it leaked onto anything.

the wafer/flange is just too small.

I found the wafer/flange too small as well. But it was perfect for when I had stitches from the hernia op. I too had blowouts. But...it was the bag, not the wafer, except for once. Sorry about the food poisoning! :ywow: Awful that!

 

[skippy111]

michelle, its the new dansac novalife bags im using. the sticky bit is oval instead of diamond. the dirty-ness of it is so annoying, i felt like emailing the company lol do the people that design actually have to wear them? they musn't do!

lol i'll be switching back to coloplast as soon as my skin is 100%- ive had 2 leaks since using these dansac bags, 1st time was because i had food poisoning and i had a blowout in my sleep. 2nd time was yesterday but i got it before it leaked onto anything.

the wafer/flange is just too small.

I hate when I blow a gasket when im sleeping, that's what I call it, (you call it a blowout)

oh btw freebird, I added you on Facebook,

 

[Hobbes650]

I just tried some samples from Coloplast. Similar to the Hollister Lock and Rolls (I think that's what they are called) which I have been routinely using. Liked them alot- happy with the enclosure and easier to clean. Use that with the Coloplast protective wafer underneath- very impressed with them so far.

michelle, its the new dansac novalife bags im using. the sticky bit is oval instead of diamond. the dirty-ness of it is so annoying, i felt like emailing the company lol do the people that design actually have to wear them? they musn't do!

lol i'll be switching back to coloplast as soon as my skin is 100%- ive had 2 leaks since using these dansac bags, 1st time was because i had food poisoning and i had a blowout in my sleep. 2nd time was yesterday but i got it before it leaked onto anything.

the wafer/flange is just too small.