Reactive skin & ostomy supplies: Are there always solutions?

Hi @mscheib2 ! My experience is with an ileostomy. I don't personally know of anyone who *hasn't* managed to find an ostomy appliance that works for them. Anecdotally, I did know someone who reacted to everything except a product called Eakins Cohesive Seal. They were able to make it work by using a sheet of Eakins under another adhesive appliance. A company called Nu-Hope makes a non-adhesive appliances, which uses a silicon ring.

There are multiple manufactures of appliances and they all have different formulas, so it would probably be helpful to "test drive" adhesives from Coloplast and Convatec as well as the different adhesive offerings from Hollister. Most of the companies will send your supplies to try out, so if your WOCN doesn't have different supplies on hand this might help, although time is tight.

There is an ostomy support group that meets online on the first Tuesday of the month, so this coming Tuesday. We have a wonderful ostomy nurse who runs it and would be able to help answer questions for you. Here is the link to the event:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/ostomy-monthly-support-group-meeting-1-6c76f480/

There are several brands of hydrocolloid dressings out there. Perhaps one of them used under the flange could work.

It's just anecdotal, but I've read more about folks having skin problems with Hollister than with Convatec or Coloplast. And then there are other less well known brands also...depending on where you live.

An additional thought: Based on my various skin issues over the years, it likely is as much a matter of breathability as a matter of allergies to specific substances. For example, back when I used to wear a watch, I had severe reactions to any metal, plastic, or rubber watch band. When I switched to leather, I still had some problems, but fewer, especially if I wore the watch very loosely, such that neither the watch nor the band was in contact with any part of the skin continuously. I did best when I switched to fabric watch bands, which I still had to wear very loosely--or else I got a reaction to the back of the watch and to the metal fastener.

Band-aids do not usually cause a problem, probably because they aren't usually on for extended periods. But I do better with fabric band-aids than other ones.

So, in addition to the question of allergies to specific ostomy supply related compounds, it may be just as important whether there are products that allow oxygen to circulate to the skin underneath.

I hope you find a resolution.

@mscheib2 I'm not aware of any product that is 100% breathable, although some of the tapes are. There typically has to be something that will resist breaking down next to the stoma, and this is often (not always a hydrocolloid).

Do you react to Tegaderm? This is the clear plastic film that they usually put over an IV. There is a product line made by Cymed that uses something like Tegaderm as the "tape" around the hydrocolloid wafer. It was developed by a urostomate.

Can you get in to talk with a WOCN (stoma nurse) again prior to March 15th to see if you can try different materials?

I believe hydrocolloid is breathable.

Thanks, everyone, for your insights. To make a long story short, late yesterday (Friday) afternoon, I got an appointment with the ostomy nurse at Cleveland Clinic (where my surgery will take place 3/20, and which is two hours from where I live) for 3/9 for patch testing specifically related to ostomy products. Though the timing is very tight, they will at least get a preliminary reading on the patch testing during pre-op on 3/13, which will help me make a final decision on 3/16 or 3/17 about which urinary diversion to have done.

Prior to getting that appointment, I requested sample materials from various producers, but they won't arrive till late next week, and they won't represent the full spectrum of possibilities. I saw a dermatologist who knew virtually nothing about ostomies and related skin issues but referred me to an allergist, hoping for an appointment early next week. But the allergist needs me to bring the full range of possible products in to create a custom patch test, and I can't acquire those on time for the appointment. The local hospital wound care department is unwilling to give me any sample materials until I have an intake appointment with them, which can't happen till the end of next week.

Given all that, I think the patch test with Cleveland Clinic on 3/9 is my best bet. Thanks again for your input!

All best to you getting this settled. I wish I could say that this horse's behind situation is uncommon...but we all know it's basically par for the course.

@mscheib2

I'm glad you are getting seen by Cleveland Clinic for the patch test. I hope they find something that works for you!

For urostomies there are 4 brands in the USA as far as I know. I would request an appointment with an experienced urostomy nurse to discuss this. At least at Mayo the nurse in JAX FL has all 4 in stock. Taking antihistamines helps my inflamed skin daily.