Be careful with convex appliances.

[bigtruck]

Just found out that this has all been caused by pressure of a convex base plate.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

That looks awful! Is that little orange "raisin" your stoma? How did that happen? I'm in convex now just trying it again to see if it helps more with my skin.

 

[bigtruck]

That little orange rasin is a bit of pepper or onion lol.

 

[Absentminded]

Oh man, Bigtruck! That looks so sore! What have you got to help it heal up?

 

[bigtruck]

Just a flat baseplate and some mild steroid cream, damn but it is stingy.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I don't get how that happened from convex. I'd get bumps and irritation right around the stoma but that I don't understand.

 

[bigtruck]

The constant pressure damages the skin apparently.

 

[littlemama1]

OUCH!

I hope that clears up as soon as possible because it looks miserable. Do you wear the convex appliance with a belt? I used to have to do convex + belt when I first got my stoma and it caused constant soreness, although no skin problems. I had a flat stoma and asked for a revision after 6 months of that. So glad I did!

 

[bigtruck]

I used to wear a belt littlemama but that was the first thing to go when sores appeared, I'm now using a flat base plate, my surgeon has retired but is coming back to do a few review cases on a part time basis, so will have to see what he thinks, he is going to see me next month.

 

[Jimena]

Has dermatologist seen that? i mean, i had something similar, and dermatologist diagnosed that to pyoderma gangrenosum.

It looks very painful

 

[bigtruck]

Waiting for an appointment with dermatologist although it seems to be improving already with changing the convex base plate for a flat one.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

There is a product called Ring around the Rosie in which you cover the stoma and wear a belt but nothing sticks to the skin. The benefit is you really let the skin heal up with any lotion or no lotion. The downside is you can't really go out because it's not full proof against odor and leaks. It's an option though to expedite healing.

 

[VeganOstomy]

Oh man, I hope that heals quickly

I was testing the Salts Dermacol product and my ET Nurse pointed out that I needed to keep an eye out for pressure sores when using it as it would cause indentations on my skin where it was being applied, much like a convex wafer. I stopped using them out of fear of developing sores, but may go back to them in the future.

It's so frustrating when convex products or even accessory belts create these additional stresses, especially since they are often used to help with existing ostomy difficulties. I hope this never happens to you again in the future.

 

[DJW]

Hi. I've been fighting that for about a year. Have you talked to a stoma nurse? I have an appointment with the dermatologist next week. My GI believes it might be part of the flare I've been in for 2 years. Looking at remicade to see if thar works.

 

[UnXmas]

I use a convex appliance - I thought they're supposed to be better at preventing leaks? I've had very few leaks, so I'd assumed that was part of the reason why, and I'd thought that less leaks would mean less skin problems? :confused2:

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I use a convex appliance - I thought they're supposed to be better at preventing leaks? I've had very few leaks, so I'd assumed that was part of the reason why, and I'd thought that less leaks would mean less skin problems? :confused2:

It can and does prevent leaks if your stoma doesn't protrude enough but the pressure of the convexity can also place pressure on the peristomal skin.

 

[bigtruck]

Yes as nogutsnoglory has said above it's all to do with the pressure it puts on the surrounding skin.

 

[UnXmas]

Maybe I'm being really dumb, but I don't understand what you mean. I don't feel any pressure; and if there is pressure, how does it lead to problems?

 

[bigtruck]

There hast to be pressure to "pull" your Stoma outwards, the pressure is applied due to the shape of the wafer. Constant pressure on skin can lead to ulcers, bed sores for example.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

There are different levels of convexity so you may not feel yours much unxmas.

 

[bigtruck]

Some healing seems to be going on! Dermatology appointment for end of month.

 

[afidz]

Have you gotten any medical attention for these wounds? It might be beneficial to see a wound care doctor to be sure that it heals correctly

 

[bigtruck]

Been swing Stoma nurse weekly and am to see a dermatologist at the end of the month.

 

[Susan2]

That looks nasty, but I've used a deep convexity appliance for 14 years and have never had any skin problems at all with it. I use Coloplast Alterna Deep Convexity one piece, opening.

 

[afidz]

Just from experience, you might be better off seeing a wound care doctor. That is a serious flesh wound. Wound care doctors/centers have access to methods of healing that other doctors don't and they are great at what they do. I would still see the dermatologist, but please, at the very least get a consultation with a wound care center.

 

[bigtruck]

This is the uk and we have the nhs I don't get a choice just whoever I'm referred too unfortunately.