I am a new osteomate. My home health-care ostomy RN is terrible. I have a double-barrel stoma. She has come one time. She rushed through it and my bag started leaking shortly after she left. The other care providers are not at all knowledgeable. I am very worried about the next wafer change. You have been a life-saver for me. I cannot thank you enough, but I am giving a small donation. Thank you so much, Eric, from the bottom of my heart.

Hi Sherry,

I'm so sorry that you've had that experience. Do you get a different nurse every visit, or is the same one?

Regular nurses generally don't have the same knowledge to care for a stoma, especially a more complex one like a double-stoma.

Do you have access to, or can you request, a WOCN (wound, ostomy, and continence nurse)? They should be able to give you far better care.

Hi Eric,
I cannot thank you enough for the thoughtful and thorough stoma information that you share! I’ve had an ileostomy since February 5th of this year. I use the crusting technique, a barrier ring and a belt and continue to have skin issues around my stoma. Why do you think the lack of crust works? Is it because it allows the skin to breath? (Maybe you’ve addressed this and I simply missed it) Of course if the skin issues continue I will reach out to my fantastic stoma nurse. In the meantime I would like to try your recommendations!

Thank you again for all you do for our community!

Sincerely,
Ashby

Hi Ashby,

Skin issues can be difficult to identify, since there can be a wide range of causes.

Does your skin look like mine in the photos? Is it only a ring around the stoma, or is the damage/irritation under a larger area of the wafer?

Sometimes the crusting technique isn't appropriate, and sometimes it is. The example in the article uses only the barrier ring without crusting, since the problem was more likely caused by skin erosion from output. The barrier ring basically stops further erosion, and helped to heal the skin.

But if the skin was being irritated by something else, then adding stoma powder + a barrier wipe will allow the skin to heal while also providing a good substrate for the appliance or barrier ring to stick.

It's common to have more skin issues shortly after surgery. The stoma is often changing size (shrinking), so you'll need to stay on top of sizing the hole in your wafer with every change. But also the skin hasn't really adapted to the appliance, and the moisture that can be trapped under it.

If your skin looks very weepy (wet), and rash-like, it may be best to have a stoma nurse take a look. Anything from a sensitivity, allergy, or fungal infection would need to be handled differently.

Best to you!

Just discovered your site. Thanks for doing this! I have battled stoma wounds for years ( 5 surgeries!) and wanted to mention that as well as using the wax ring,I use a bit of stoma paste just where the bottom edge/wound was leaking and preventing healing. Using the paste on. top of the ring has made all the difference!!!

Hi there, I really appreciate your help. I have had an ostomy since 1994 so over thirty years now since I was 41. So as I’m 72 now my skin is more vulnerable and can break down more easily. A simple pore that looks a bit red can soon open up and sometimes sores have been 3/8” wide. Ouchy!! I end up changing every other day and in some cases everyday which is risky because you don’t want to be dealing with paste that won’t come off. It just can cause worse irritation. So my go to which isn’t perfect is airing the sore after cleaning up before reapplying the wafer. I wrap folds of toilet paper around the stoma and just keep changing them while sitting sometimes for hours trying to heal by airing. It does work but is sooooo tiring. I have even sat up till 6 am desperate to finally heal a bad sore. I also spray the area with colloidal silver. And before eventually adding the wafer I have put polysporin or Fucidin on the sore.
Haha I’ve imagined something like a short sterile bit of tubing to place over the stoma just to make my airing easier. So I was looking for ideas when I found you all.
Because changing more often means using more product, after thirty years of no one doing anything to the plan I have for receiving ostomy products, I dared to ask if I could receive an extra paste. ( Id been receiving 3 every 2 months) Suddenly they decided I should be investigated and NO you already have been receiving too many. You can only have 2 so I have to buy the extra$$$. Wished I hadn’t asked haha.
I look forward to hearing other people’s experiences. As for asking the people who sell the products , I’ve already tried most of what they suggest and trying something new often has left me with worse problems 😊

Linda, thank you for sharing your experience. Do you have access to a stoma nurse who can offer specific guidance on your situation?

One thing that came to mind is to make sure that you're using "regular wafers" (not "extended wear") as they tend to be easier on the skin. This is especially true if you have to remove your appliance often.

I also like to air out my skin, and agree that it's not sustainable if you're doing it often and for many hours at a time.

If you can identify what might be causing your skin to become more sensitive (and yes, age is a factor), you might be able to slow down the recurrence of skin breakdown, or stop it from happening in the first place. This is where a stoma nurse could be a valuable asset.

Best of luck!

Hi Linda! Welcome to VO! I'm sorry you're having skin issues, not fun at all. 

I was wondering about a fungus? I learned a few years back that we can have a fungus under our wafers. Fortunately for me, it was the wrong diagnoses. That said, there is a cream that can help, if that's the issue.  It would be good to go see what the problem is, as Eric suggested. Stoma Nurses can be very helpful, but you may know that already...? 

30 yrs, thats an impressive run. Back when I became an ostomate, 16 years, I faced challenges too early in my life. My hubby passed away 5 months after my surgery & I never thought to seek help on the internet. Computers were his thing, not mine. Then my Son suggested it & I stumbled over & joined Vegan Ostomy , where you don't have to be vegan to be here.  The kind group of people here, helped me get sorted, but,  I too had tried so many things already & came in able to help others & I'm still here.  I'm glad you found us! Please don't be a stranger here, there may be someone who could use your knowledge from 30 yrs. experience.  Best wishes sorting out your issue. It has to be exhausting!! Keep us in the loop on your resolve, I know I'd appreciate hearing what helps. 

Hi Linda,

Welcome to VO. I am a Linda, also. My stoma will be seven years old next week. I found VO when I was looking around on the internet for ostomate clothing ideas (I had cancer and this was about the least of my problems but it gave me something to do). How lucky I was to have found this website!  There is so much information here, wonderful people, and we appreciate Eric so much for doing this.

Best wishes to you. I surely hope your skin trouble is resolved soon.

LL