Tackling red or sore skin
Leaks, allergies, and sensitive skin can leave the area around your stoma feeling red, sore, and uncomfortable. But you don’t have to put up with irritation – there are simple, effective ways to soothe, protect, and keep your skin feeling its best.
Pouch is not fitting right anymore
When we lose or put on weight, our abdomen can change and when you have a stoma that means the skin around the stoma may not be as even as before; resulting in new creases and folds. This can cause leaks and sore skin.
- A good tip is to have a look at the back of the flange after you remove it, is stool or urine sitting on the adhesive? This suggests you have a leak causing the skin to be sore.
- Another tip is to place the flange backing around the stoma, is there skin exposed? Or does it sit too close or on the stoma? You may need to change your template size.
- A change of bag may be needed, convexity can be very helpful to smooth out creases and folds. Also, if your stoma is retracted or flush with the skin you may need to consider using a convex pouch, but we advise to speak to your stoma care nurse before making changes.
- You may need a seal to help with the creases and folds. They come in different sizes and depths to suit your individual needs.
- Cohesive paste can be great to fill in creases and folds while still protecting and promoting healthy skin.
Product sensitivity or allergy
- While allergies or sensitivities to your stoma pouch is very rare, it can happen even if you’ve been using the products for a long time with no issues. A good tip if you suspect you have developed an allergy or sensitivity to your stoma pouch is to check is the entire area in contact with the irritant affected.
- Review all the products you use around the stoma if you suspect a sensitivity because we can develop allergies to anything including cleaning products, adhesive removers and skin protectants. Contact your stoma care nurse if you suspect an allergic reaction to any product.
Folliculitus (inflammation of the hair follicles in the skin around your stoma)
- This presents as small bumps or pimples around hair follicles, which can occasionally be pus filled and can cause pain or itching. This can develop from shaving the area too often or incorrectly. We recommend clipping or trimming your hair on a regular basis, avoiding a razor, opting for a hair clippers or electric shaver instead. However, be careful not to injure your stoma whilst trimming hair.
- It can also be caused by not taking care when removing the bag causing a pull on the hair follicles. Using your adhesive remover will help reduce this risk.
- Lastly, make sure the skin is completely clean and dry before applying your new products.
Trauma to the skin
- Medical adhesive skin injury can be a big problem and when you have a stoma you have adhesive on your skin 24/7 so making sure you don’t allow this to become a problem for you is important.
- Applying a barrier film will give the skin an extra layer of protection, just make sure it’s completely dry before you apply the pouch.
- Ensure your stoma pouch fit correctly to prevent unnecessary, frequent changes. Gently clean the skin; don’t rub the skin or manually remove residual skin barriers, pastes, and other adhesives.
- There may be other reasons why you experience sore skin, and it is important to always contact your stoma care nurse for advice if you are having any issues.
The stoma care advice you actually want
Need a little more help? Forget tiptoeing around ostomy questions – we’ve got unfiltered info on everything from surgery and stoma pouches to diet, lifestyle, sex with a stoma, and everything in between.
