Alternative options for ostomy bag attachment for adhesive allergies?

I am allergic to many adhesives and this has caused an issue with my colostomy. I cannot use Coloplast because I am super duper allergic to something in their adhesive. I currently use Hollister as it is the lesser of the two evils, but even with it, my skin gets so raw where the wafer attaches that sometimes I have to get creative for a bit because I cannot handle putting a wafer back on. I will get welts, sores that do not heal well because they keep getting irritated and more. I use a skin barrier every time I change out my ostomy equipment. Any suggestions on what may help? I do not know of any way to hook an ostomy bag on without a wafer using adhesive. Any idea is welcome.

Hello psminker.

I do feel for you in this situation as adhesives that cause a bad reaction are not what you want or need with a stoma. 

My wife has a similar reaction to medical plasters and has to find alternatives. 

My own approach to begin with would be to try different adhesives on parts of your body away from the stoma to see if there is an adverse reaction.

I gave up trying to stick manufactured wafers to my skin because they simply did not stay stuck! However, they do stay stuck on my own base-plates which I have been sticking down with Hollister 7730 medical adhesive spray. Unfortunately, Hollister have decided to discontinue this line, so it is doubtful whether you would be able to get any now, All is not lost, as there are other alternative medical adhesives  on the market, which may or may not be useful for you. 

Alternatively, I have opted to trial a 2.5inch double edged adhesive tape from Korea  called 'sookwang'. So far it is doing well, but prior to that I was using commonly available at the local DIY store, double sided carpet tape. 

I have mentioned this next 'trick' in previous posts but these things are often worth putting out there again: I have successfully used 'artificial skin', which is used in the film industry for 'make-up' . This sticks to the skin temporarily, and then you can stick whatever you like to it  without the secondary thing touching your skin.

A similar effect can be obtained from Bayer's Germolene new-skin liquid plaster. However, I found that this is not good if any of the skin is broken and, for me, it is a bit like superglue, in that it sometimes doesn’t come off easily when I want it to.

Many people find that Micropore is better on the skin than normal adhesive plasters and Micropore comes in different sized roles. This can be used as a base layer before applying either the wafer or a double-sided tape for a base-plate of your (my) own making.

With most things stoma-related, I find that experimenting to find what suits 'you/me' is the best way to find solutions to irritating problems. As mentioned previously, for people who react badly to adhesives, it would seem sensible to try these things on parts of the body that are less likely to cause major problems if they cause an adverse reaction. This way, at least you will know what not to use.

I do hope you are able to find a solution to your problem soon, in the meantime, I will share with you (below) some of the contacts I have found to try to find a replacement for 7730 :

Best wishes

Bill 

Seeking replacement for Hollister 7730 

https://www.ainscorp.com.au/aloe-rings.html

https://www.dansac.com.au/en-au/products/ostomy-care-products/accessories/dansac-tre-seal/dansac-tre-seal

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=7730+medical+adhesive&crid

https://torbot.com/product/product-375/

https://www.nu-hope.com/2018/11/15/how-to-use-nu-hope-adhesive/

https://www.urocare.com/EN/Products/500503EN.php

EXTRACT FROM ‘HOLLISTER’ EMAIL:

Manfred Sauer UK Ltd * Original Skin Latex Adhesive in a 28g tube with a long pipette/nozzle applicator. 50.01

* Pure Latex Skin Adhesive without any skin care components giving a stronger bond, in a 28g tube with a long pipette/nozzle applicator.

* Lanolin Free Latex Skin Adhesive for people allergic to lanolin, in a 28g tube with a long pipette/nozzle applicator.

* 50% reduction in skin care components, in a 28g tube with a long pipette/nozzle applicator.

* 2% Resin giving a stronger bond than the original adhesive 50.01, in a 28g tube with a long pipette/nozzle applicator. Should only be tried after 50.01 is found to be too weak. 5

* 12% Resin giving a stronger bond than the 2% resin adhesive 50.20, in a 28g tube with a long pipette/nozzle applicator. Should only be tried after 50.20 is found to be too weak.

Prosthetic Solutions Ltd Zeflosil Silicone Adhesive

Salts Healthcare Latex Adhesive Solution

Technovent Ltd G626 Probond Secure Adhesive

* Safe for direct application on the skin

Thank you for the information. I never would have thought of some of those!

I am getting ready to go to a specialist, so I will bring it up to them. Thanks for the suggestion.

Have you tried Duoderm? It's a thin sheet that I've used successfully when my skin has been weepy/rashy. An ostomy nurse suggested I try it. You might see if you can get a sample and like Bill suggested, try it on another area first and see if you have any reaction.

Also, I'm 3 days out from surgery number 7, and have had drain tubes for the last 8-9 weeks, and I found that Surgi-pore hypoallergenic tape was the least reactive for my skin and also had good adhesion. Maybe that could also be an option under your wafer?

When you see your doctor next, maybe ask if they can help you find some samples.

My Ostomy Journey: Jearlean | Hollister

Try Cymed Pouching Systems with Micro Skin. These are my favorite pouches.

I use Flonase nasal spray around the whole area each time I change a pouch because I am so allergic. It's a liquid steroid marketed for sinuses, but I spray it on my fingers and rub it across the area, take a hair dryer on low heat setting until dry, then apply barrier spray and pouch. It really only takes like 2 extra minutes and makes all the difference for me. Good luck!

Hollister sucks. I've had an ileostomy for 35 years. I'm 55 now. Convatec is the best 2-piece. And for all of you trying to cut that perfect round hole in your wafer, 20 years of experience... drum roll please, use your thumb fingernail. Easiest, fastest way. Just keep them long enough to cut through.

Hollister suck,iv had a ileostomy for 35 yrs I'm 55 now ,convatec is the best 2 pice , and for all of you trying to cut that perfect round hole in you're wafer, 20 yrs experience... drum roll please, USE YOUR THUMB FINGERNAIL, EASIEST, FASTEST,WAY, JUST KEEP THEM LONG enough to cut through,

Hollister suck,iv had a ileostomy for 35 yrs I'm 55 now ,convatec is the best 2 pice , and for all of you trying to cut that perfect round hole in you're wafer, 20 yrs experience... drum roll please, USE YOUR THUMB FINGERNAIL, EASIEST, FASTEST,WAY, JUST KEEP THEM LONG enough to cut through,

Hollister suck,iv had a ileostomy for 35 yrs I'm 55 now ,convatec is the best 2 pice , and for all of you trying to cut that perfect round hole in you're wafer, 20 yrs experience... drum roll please, USE YOUR THUMB FINGERNAIL, EASIEST, FASTEST,WAY, JUST KEEP THEM LONG enough to cut through,