I’m pretty happy with the way the skin around my stoma looks, but I’ve had my fair share of challenges with my skin, especially as I was learning to adjust post-surgery.
Intro
One particular problem I’ve had a hard time dealing with, was when my ostomy wafer would cut into my skin.
Putting tape over my wafer didn’t help, and trying to treat the cuts was difficult, since cutting the wafer short would cause other problems.
I found a solution that works perfectly for me, and only requires a few extra minutes per wafer change.
Video
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The Fix
You will need to get some 3M Tegaderm, Opsite Flexifix or something similar. These tapes,which are more like film, are super thin and flexible.
Here’s how I protect my skin when using sharp-edged wafers :
1. Prepare your skin by cleaning and making sure that it’s dry.
2. Cut a strip of tape long enough to cover the bottom of the wafer.
3. At this point, if you need to put on a barrier ring, stoma powder or barrier wipe , do it now.
4. Remove one section of the release liner (usually a paper liner ).
5. Position the tape into your skin and remove the rest of the paper liner, making sure the film goes on your skin without any bubbles, creases or kinks.
6. Remove the clear liner and smooth out the tape.
7. Apply your wafer and attach a pouch if you’re using a 2-piece system.
You’re done!
This should keep the wafers edge from cutting into your skin, and it shouldn’t reduce wear time.
Remove your wafer the way you normally would, and the film will likely come off together; if it doesn’t, it’s gentle enough on the skin to remove without much effort (but keep some adhesive removers, just in case).
Question: Has your wafer ever cut into your skin?
New at this, surgery in October. Was trying Hollister,but filters would not last more than 8 hours. ( I have a lot of gas and ballooning). So I just got samples from coloplast, and the filters have worked very well , so far, two days without ballooning!
But during second day I am getting irritation from SenSura Mio barrier digging into my skin at the bottom, as Eric described. Will try the tape method, just ordered on Amazon. Thanks again for all your help!
Good luck, dieffenk! I’m surprised that the Mio would do this, as it has a very soft wafer, but I hope the tape trick works.
One thing to also be mindful of if you’re having issues around the edge of your wafer is to make sure you aren’t stretching it out when you apply it. As our skin relaxes and tightens, there can sometimes be a pulling of the skin. This happens often if you apply your wafer sitting down.
Good luck!
Hi Eric, I do stand up when applying, but I very well could be stretching it out when applying it. I have only done this twice with coloplast so far. It has formed a small red ring on my skin just at the edges of mio barrier. I will take your advice and be careful while putting it on.Thanks very much!
Hi, my one year old has a prolapsed stoma. Though I used coloplast strip paste, the coloplast appliance keep cutting the neck of his stoma(even though I cut the appliance to proper stoma size). The ostomy powder didn’t help that much.. Any idea to avoid the issue please..
One suggestion might be to cut the wafer a little larger than normal, then stick a barrier ring under it and roll the barrier ring over the edge of the hole you’ve cut so it creates a bit of a cushion. Since the barrier ring is softer, it shouldn’t cause the same cutting as the wafter itself.
I hope that helps – prolapsed stomas can be difficult to manage, so I hope you have access to a stoma nurse who can give you a plan moving forward.
Hi, Sometimes i have this problem with Convatec 2 piece pouch and i use ‘Hy-Tape – Zinc Oxide Waterproof Pink Tape, works great for this issue. Kind regards.
Yes! Hy-type would also work!