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Skin Problems
Leakage Problems
Other Problems
Here is a list of the most common skin problems and some solutions to try out. Remember, if all else fails, consult your stoma nurse so they can assess your situation and help get you on the right track to healing it.
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Problem |
Possible Solutions |
| Allergic reaction caused by appliance and/or products used. The area is red and tender and usually limited to the area of the offending product. |
- Identify and remove what is causing the allergy. Conduct a patch test on the inside of your arm, using bits of wafer, paste, etc
- If the whole area under your wafer is red, then it is most likely the wafer you're allergic to. Try changing the brand of your appliance to one that suits your skin better (most manufacturers are more than happy to send you free samples).
- Dust with skin barrier powder as needed.
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| Skin appears red, moist, and painful; caused by stool leakage onto the skin. |
- Make sure you are cutting the hole in your wafer to the right size.
- Try a convex wafer or insert.
- Try using a Eakin seals or Coloplast Strips around the stoma.
- DO NOT use a Stoma paste since these have alcohol in them and will sting sore and irritated skin.
- Try dusting the irritated skin with skin barrier powder
- Try dabbing some Maalox or Mylanta (not the mint kind - ouch!) on the irritated skin.
- If irritation is caused by excessive sweating between the bag and your skin, try using a bag cover or placing a thin cloth between your skin and the bag to absorb the sweat.
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| Granuloma. Whitish skin growths around the base of the stoma. |
- In this case you will need to visit your stoma nurse who may decide to burn the granulomas off with silver nitrate sticksUsually granuloma are nothing to worry about unless they are interfering with the adherence of your wafer
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| Yeast Infections around the stomal area. Raised, moist, painful bumps. |
- Apply topical antifungal powder, eg Nystatin, and skin barrier powder.
- Consider changing the brand of your appliance to one that suits your skin better (most manufacturers are more than happy to send you free samples).
- Consider use of a skin sealant.
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| Inflammation of the hair follicle from being pulled out when the wafer is removed producing moist, painful lesions |
- Dust with topical antimicrobial powder and skin barrier powder.
- Shave the area before putting on a new pouch if it's not too painful. You might also consider electrolysis once the lesions have healed.
- You may need to visit your stoma nurse as they may want to apply a dressing to the area.
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Thinning and overhydration of skin around the stoma from prolonged exposure to moisture; (most common with urostomies and high-output stomas)
The skin may appear pink, white or gray with a raised wartlike appearance. |
- Make sure you are cutting the hole in your wafer to the right size.
- Try a convex wafer or insert.
- If it is severe, a visit to your stoma nurse may be needed as they may need to apply a dressing to the area.
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Ulcerations or stripping of skin from an ill fitting appliance or improper application of your appliance or accessory products or from frequent changes.
Cuts on stoma. |
- Make sure you are cutting the hole in your wafer to the right size.
- Experiment with different brands of products to see if there is one that likes your skin better (most manufacturers are more than happy to send you free samples).
- Try a convex wafer or insert.
- Ensure you are not "overusing" skin wipes, barriers and adhesive removers. If you are unsure, visit your stoma nurse for an assessment of your changing procedure.
- If you wear a belt, make sure it is not on too tight..
- Ordinarily, cuts on the stoma are nothing to worry about and will heal themselves quite quickly
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| Pyoderma gangrenosum. An ulcer characterized by tender area with irregular border and bluish hue; associated with extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, lupus erythematosus, or rheumatoid arthritis |
- You will need to visit your stoma nurse.
- Steroid injections into the site are the usual treatment for Pyoderma Gangrenosum.
- If the area is large and under the wafer, you may need to consider using a non-adhesive system, eg Marlen, for a while until the ulcer heals.
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