Skin problem and blow outs on bag edge

Bathe as in the bathtub? I would give a million dollars to take a bath but I have yet to even shower! I do have sitz baths and wash daily.
But a real Bath, omg, a dream come true. Is that safe for your stoma as far as soaking in water that could have germs in it?

The skin is sensitive under the appliance. Just irritated skin…I itch so I am taking an allergy pill to see if it helps.
Trying to firm up stool now as I think it would be better

Hi, lrandall55! I have had a colostomy since September of 2015. "Pancaking" has been an issue for me on and off, and it is typically when I've drank too much caffeine and not enough water. And, all that stool collecting there at the top and definitely lead to the barrier pulling away with peristalsis of your stoma (when it is moving in and out--"active"). It helps if you wear an "extended wear" barrier as well. My stoma does not stick out very far from my skin, so when peristalsis happens and my stool is more solid, the pancaking happens. Are you still having to eat foods with low fiber (low residue)? Stay as hydrated as you can, and limit dehydrating beverages. Also, as others have said, make an appointment with the ostomy nurse where you had your surgery, as they are a wealth of information for whether or not you will do better with a convex barrier.
I personally get in the shower to change my bag. I use an adhesive remover spray and saturate my barrier prior to peeling it off. I use the spray as I'm removing the barrier. Wash your skin and stoma with a gentle, non-moisturizing soap and rinse very well. I dab my stoma gently to dry it, and then aim my blow dryer at the stoma and surrounding skin on a warm air setting. It will dry very quickly this way! Then, I apply a barrier protective wipe or spray. Hit it with a short burst from the blow dryer. If the barrier you use has hydrocolloid in it (it will swell when it gets wet), your sores (unless uber weepy) should heal without too much trouble. At least that is how it has been for me. My sores look like small raised bumps, and they are nearly always from stool leakage. I am blessed to have only had to deal with a yeast infection once with my ostomy. It healed quickly with stoma powder and an oral once-and-done antifungal medicine.
Once you've got your new barrier and bag on, take a warm heating pad (I have a small one that is microwaveable) and press it against your ostomy ring for a few minutes. Some people have told me that using lubricant and leaving a small amount of air in their bag really helps them with the pancaking. Let us know how it goes!

I dont think there are any more germs than washing with washcloth I have been taking baths for over a year now and never had a problem. I dont have skin rashes or any problems with my stoma Basically my skin is clean . If i was doing outside gardening or such and I had dirt on skin I would shower first I am not familiar with sitz baths

How do you prepare for a bath. How long after you eat and what do you eat at that meal. Do you eat marshmallows to slow the flow?
I have an ileostomy and I always seem to have some thin liquid draining.

Hi, lrandall55! I have had a colostomy since September of 2015. "Pancaking" has been an issue for me on and off, and it is typically when I've drank too much caffeine and not enough water. And, all that stool collecting there at the top and definitely lead to the barrier pulling away with peristalsis of your stoma (when it is moving in and out--"active"). It helps if you wear an "extended wear" barrier as well. My stoma does not stick out very far from my skin, so when peristalsis happens and my stool is more solid, the pancaking happens. Are you still having to eat foods with low fiber (low residue)? Stay as hydrated as you can, and limit dehydrating beverages. Also, as others have said, make an appointment with the ostomy nurse where you had your surgery, as they are a wealth of information for whether or not you will do better with a convex barrier.
I personally get in the shower to change my bag. I use an adhesive remover spray and saturate my barrier prior to peeling it off. I use the spray as I'm removing the barrier. Wash your skin and stoma with a gentle, non-moisturizing soap and rinse very well. I dab my stoma gently to dry it, and then aim my blow dryer at the stoma and surrounding skin on a warm air setting. It will dry very quickly this way! Then, I apply a barrier protective wipe or spray. Hit it with a short burst from the blow dryer. If the barrier you use has hydrocolloid in it (it will swell when it gets wet), your sores (unless uber weepy) should heal without too much trouble. At least that is how it has been for me. My sores look like small raised bumps, and they are nearly always from stool leakage. I am blessed to have only had to deal with a yeast infection once with my ostomy. It healed quickly with stoma powder and an oral once-and-done antifungal medicine.
Once you've got your new barrier and bag on, take a warm heating pad (I have a small one that is microwaveable) and press it against your ostomy ring for a few minutes. Some people have told me that using lubricant and leaving a small amount of air in their bag really helps them with the pancaking. Let us know how it goes!