I had a ruptured diverticulum on August 16 and have a colostomy. I have an area above the stoma that started as several small tears where the sutures were and now is one large open wound. I had tried managing with powder and barrier crusting, then tried a thin hydrocolloid bandage over that, with the barrier applied directly over that. After about 4 days it is worse, not better. My WOCN today said it needs to breathe, so she wants me to not use any products at all on it, and also to cut the barrier large enough that it does not come in contact with the open areas. If I do that, the effluent will of course come in contact with the open wound. Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't see how I can leave it open to the effluent - first of all it will burn like crazy, but won't that risk a major infection? The area is not infected now, but it is very tender.

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Ostomy surgery is stressful both for the patient and the caregiver, and creates a major life change for both people in a relationship.
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Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.
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Talking about having an ostomy can be uncomfortable for most people. Still, it's something you can't always avoid.
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Learn about some strategies that can make it easier to talk about your stoma.