Ostomy pouches rashes and itching?

Posted by lauramae3 @lauramae3, Nov 20 10:33am

Has anyone using ostomy pouches experienced rashes and itching? If so, any suggestions? Allergy pill seems to help except for the redness.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ostomy Support Group.

Are you using a skin barrier?
I find that a skin barrier spray helps prevent rash.

REPLY

DuoDerm Extra thin dressing, expensive to buy, but excellent for damaged skin. I know that Payless in Canada carries it. Sorry, that's the extent of my knowledge.

REPLY

If you have access to a WOC Nurse, I recommend having them examine your skin and make some suggestions. If it looks bad enough, they may recommend a dermatologist.

You may be having a temporary reaction to the adhesive on the bottom of the base plate, and it will eventually get used to it and stop being itchy/red and using allergy medication to help with itching may be good enough until it stops on its own.

If it is a persistent issue, you may need to try different brands for your ostomy base plate/bag system. You can get free samples from all the manufacturers (Hollister, Coloplast, ConvaTec, etc). You could call your current one to see if they have other systems for people who may need a different type of adhesive.

However best to start with a WOC Nurse and go from there

REPLY
@gnomer

If you have access to a WOC Nurse, I recommend having them examine your skin and make some suggestions. If it looks bad enough, they may recommend a dermatologist.

You may be having a temporary reaction to the adhesive on the bottom of the base plate, and it will eventually get used to it and stop being itchy/red and using allergy medication to help with itching may be good enough until it stops on its own.

If it is a persistent issue, you may need to try different brands for your ostomy base plate/bag system. You can get free samples from all the manufacturers (Hollister, Coloplast, ConvaTec, etc). You could call your current one to see if they have other systems for people who may need a different type of adhesive.

However best to start with a WOC Nurse and go from there

Jump to this post

Saturday morning, I'm going to try a thorough washing of the areas with mild soap and try to get off all the adhesive off before another Coloplast pouch is installed. Thanks for the advice.

REPLY

The best soap I have found, which was recommended by a WOC Nurse, is Ivory Bar soap (has to be the basic old school bar soap). It has nothing extra and cleans oils away. I use it last after washing the rest of me, and only in the parastomal area; I use regular soap everywhere else. Ivory has no moisturizers or anything, so it leaves the rest of the skin dry if I use it, but for the skin around the stoma, it's perfect.

REPLY

I agree that the Ivory soap works great Also use the adhesive remover I know if I leave any skin prep on I do get itchy. I am 85 but i still love my baths and I will sit and soak my stoma in nice warm water and so far it works for me

REPLY
@gnomer

The best soap I have found, which was recommended by a WOC Nurse, is Ivory Bar soap (has to be the basic old school bar soap). It has nothing extra and cleans oils away. I use it last after washing the rest of me, and only in the parastomal area; I use regular soap everywhere else. Ivory has no moisturizers or anything, so it leaves the rest of the skin dry if I use it, but for the skin around the stoma, it's perfect.

Jump to this post

Thank you! I'll buy the soap today in preparation for tomorrows cleaning and pouch change.

REPLY
@fbt217

Are you using a skin barrier?
I find that a skin barrier spray helps prevent rash.

Jump to this post

I haven't used the skin barrier spray but found that I had a new one in box from Coloplast. The Ostomy Clinic nurse specifically recommended not to use any product. The redness and rash areas are areas not specifically under the pouch but around the outside. That's why I thought a thorough cleansing might work. Tomorrow's the day - we'll see. Thank you all for your suggestions.

REPLY

You might try Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream. I find it very soothing on red itchy areas. I use a very tiny amount on clean skin. Then spray with barrier spray and let dry.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.