Hey Ryan,

I've tried other stoma powder, but not the Karaya powder specifically (don't even know if it's available in Canada). 

But it sounds like the root cause of your skin irritation needs to be addressed and the antibiotics providing some relief might suggest that you have an ongoing skin infection. 

Are you able to see a dermatologist? Once your skin is healed, your wear time should improve. But... when my skin is angry I don't tend to push long wear times so even 2-3 days might be "too long" if your skin is having issues. 

Ryan...Hello! I'm sorry your having skin issues! No fun at all!

I have very sensitive skin & Eczema &  have found after testing products on the inside of my forearm, then beneath a 2nd pouch on the other side of my tummy avoids issues beneath the stoma wafer side.  I test on my arm, so I could watch a product dry in better light & with movement then beneath a second wafer on the other side then of my tummy then what my stoma is on. Testing products on another area of your body is a good idea so there's no further issues with the skin beneath a wafer.

The Skin Barrier Spray is a product I love & can actually use without issues. I dry the area with the hair dryer after applying it & in doing so I have noticed the product  leaves what looks like an extremely thin layer of plastic when dry on the skin.   If you have not used this Skin Barrier "Spray"  I'd strongly suggest you give it a try.   I find the stoma powder to have a fine grainy texture to it & I feel it actually irritates my skin more then without it. BUT...there are occasions I've still used it on tiny areas & away from the stoma blowing off any extra powders. 

Because of skin sensitivity, I found the wipes were part of the issue causing irritation also. I learned from Eric about both the sprays, but the "Adhesive Remover Spray" used in tandem with the wipe meant using less wipes. The spray on the wipe gave a wetter wipe allowing for fewer wipes being used, thus less scrubbing on the skin with the dryer wipe that was causing some irritation also.  I only ever use water only on my wafer are.  I shower separately & always with a "pouch on" further protecting the area from soap residues, then if needed a  pouch change after a shower. 

Because wipes irritate, after I'm sure I have any adhesive materials removed I wash the area with small squares,      1 1/2 to 2" size, of cut up bar towels I buy at the $ store & cut into pieces. I feel its far more gentle on my skin then the wipes. Fan or use a hair dryer to dry skin & barrier spray. 

When I left the hospital over 12 yrs ago with an Ileostomy I was entirely on my own. Due to pancreatic cancer, my 1 support system was fading very quickly!  No fancy stoma nurses either!  Lololol!  Plus I was not one to go to the internet for help either so know that you are way ahead of what I was back then! 

Here there are all sorts of tips & tricks to help you work out what an issue may be. Eric... as I'm sure you discovered has the most fabulous supply of Videos available...don't be afraid to make notes! Lol! 

At this I'll suggest you keep a journal of several things or even a chart to help figure out what the issues might be. Track things like foods & fluids, not necessarily amounts but kinds & skin & bowel reactions, same with products you use or try.  I only figured out that the wipes themselves were part of my skin issues when I used less of them a few times.  I'll admit I was surprised wipes were the cause of irritation. So I use wipes with sprays for more effective use & less irritation.  Little things like that were figured out by  keeping a record of them. 

I hope you can figure this issue out!  Be encouraged, the 1st year was my roughest & I had no one to bounce ideas off of! Be as well as you can be!