I'm curious to know if the prednisone has anything to do with it or if was because you stopped the calamine that  got worse. 

Hi All, I few years back I had some issues with broken skin, around this time I had a wee flare of Crohns so the Doc put me back on Prednisone, and my skin really started to heal. now it don,t know if that was coincidence or what but I always wondered.

A bit of both have found I need the calimine to protect the skin from the wafer it does the job for two days then the hot prickly feeling returns and the skin is a bright red everywhere the wafer touches.  At the hospital did not have access to calimine but needed to change and was now on the 5 mg after three days changed and the skin was perfect so thought maybe I just needed that dose to clear everything up and will now be good.  Not so.  Even at 1.5 I notice after an hour in the morning my skin in that area feels different that what it feels at around 5 at night when the med has left my body. It effects my joints as well if I do not have it I am very sore and cannot raise my arms or get upright after sitting very easily.  Was on 20 mg for Crohns for 3 years and adrenals have been damaged. Asked the Dr how do we know the 1.5 is enough to replace what I should have I received no answer .

Hi Shawne, We all know prednisone is a necessary evil, joint pain and your appliance not agreeing with your skin is not making it easy for you. if your trying new wafers on the damaged skin before its healed its going to be hard to work out whats happening. Eric had said if I rem right about testing wafers on another spot. if you can find one that works then get that skin healing it would be one problem less. Shawne I know its easy for me to say this and I am sure your frustrated but have you tried that

I have but usually a few samples you are sent and used on the other side of the abdomen just are not enough time to induce a response I will have to try like Eric mention just cutting a piece off a wafer and maybe paper tape it to an area.  Thanks for your response John appreciate your time.

I too had tape itching/ allergy . I started using Safe and Simple barrier sheet . It's a Super thin sheet that cones in different sizes . I use the 4x4 inches it's the same size as my wafer . I put on barrier sheet them my Brava Protective seal then Hollister New Image Wafer . Have not felt an itch since doing this . I use Brava Spray adhesive remover and sheet pulls of easy and clean . My skin is healthy and itch free.

P.s. None of the wafer touches my skin it's all on the Barrier sheet 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Posted by: Shawne

... just cutting a piece off a wafer and maybe paper tape it to an area. 

As a tip, if you use a cut to fit wafer, you can use the center part that you've cut out for testing. I'e d this many times and it avoids wasting the entire wafer.

A protective sheet, as Bubbles suggested, may help on the short term. However, they tend to be too expensive to use long term. 

That is a good idea as most samples they will send are cut to fit so would have a little bit to use as a test.  Have tried using duoderm sheet and a couple others which of corse have an adhesive can not use products like wafer extenders also tried a comfeel product by Coloplast have not tried safe and simple will have to see if I can buy a couple sheets at Pharmacy.  The calimine seems to work for a couple days just not sure how good that is long term for your skin.  Thanks for the ideas😊

I have a prescription for Flovent if the rash gets very bothersome it works well but realize it is not a solution as it can thin out your skin just like prednisone. On one of the other support sites a stoma nurse advocates washing the area with original head and shoulders  due to the zinc content wait a couple minutes and rinse off well if areas are raw use Butt paste which has high zinc and no perfume just a dab apply stoma powder and then Cavilon so your wafer will stick this I have used and after a few applications it does work but if you have a large area is not the best solution.

Morning Shawne, do try testing the samples as suggested, its good that you have a few remedies to keep it at bay, You will find an answer and it will settle down. keep us up to speed on yer progress. the more its online some one with similar could hit on a solution.

Calamine lotion has Zinc in it 👍🏼.I tried it but it made my wafer come off within 2 days. With my new method I get 5. Have you used Nystan anti fungal powder some times a rash is really fungus . I put this on wait five min then wipe with barrier wipe let that dry then apply barrier sheet . Here in USA it's by RX  at pharmacy.

Hi Folks, I tip on Erics blogs was giving the skin some time to air before a new wafer, he uses a bag tucked in his shorts to catch any output and gives it a while.

Posted by: Shawne

A bit of both have found I need the calimine to protect the skin from the wafer it does the job for two days then the hot prickly feeling returns and the skin is a bright red everywhere the wafer touches.  At the hospital did not have access to calimine but needed to change and was now on the 5 mg after three days changed and the skin was perfect so thought maybe I just needed that dose to clear everything up and will now be good.  Not so.  Even at 1.5 I notice after an hour in the morning my skin in that area feels different that what it feels at around 5 at night when the med has left my body. It effects my joints as well if I do not have it I am very sore and cannot raise my arms or get upright after sitting very easily.  Was on 20 mg for Crohns for 3 years and adrenals have been damaged. Asked the Dr how do we know the 1.5 is enough to replace what I should have I received no answer .

Have you tried over the counter Benadryl capsules . That helps with itching .

Posted by: john68

Hi Folks, I tip on Erics blogs was giving the skin some time to air before a new wafer, he uses a bag tucked in his shorts to catch any output and gives it a while.

Yes I tuck some paper towels in my undies to catch anything but thankfully I do as soon as I wake up and Bubbles is still sleeping . I set a timer for 15 min of air time as I fan stoma area with a piece of cardboard. While I am air drying I am getting everything lined up for application . Times goes by fast .

WOW!  15 minutes of airing time.. Wish I could give Nellie that much of a break.. I get everything ready to apply when I take a shower or bath.. Nellie loves to sing to much!! But I do get some 5 minutes in.. I don't like the out-put dripping on me, and the constant cleanings really do a number  on my skin, during a longer time of airings....... Then comes the rash for a week. The airing as little as it is helps.. :-)

Welcome Carol, 

Remember,

The one who falls and gets up,

                         is

So much stronger than the one who never falls.......... 

Dear folks, 

My WOCN told me to put silver alginate or calcium alginate pieces where the skin is broken. Also,  to dust area with antifungal powder such as Zeabsorb AF which is sold as an athletes foot cure. Between the two of them,  I became comfortable. 

I hope that it would work for you. 

 Also, the irritated skin can be as a result of rubbing too vigorously.

Sometimes,  the simple answer is the best.  

Just thinking out loud.