Itchy Skin Under Ostomy Flange - Is This Normal?

Hi all,

I was wanting to know if it is norm for the skin to get itchy so soon after it was put on.

I have always had this prob since i have had an illeo. in May this year.

Is it norm because it is still so early after op?

It gets that bad it drives me so crazy that I scratch it that much that around the wafer gets really red and sore

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I have tried all brands and all the same, atm i am using Convatec.

PLEASE I NEED HELP!!!

Hi, sounds like you may be allergic to the hydrocolloid the flanges are made of? If so - really have no clue how you can solve that one? Have you tried taking an anti-histamine tablet for allergies, that may stop the itch which will then give the skin a little longer to heal itself between changes ....



Or - how often do you change your pouch? It may be that changing it often has caused the skin to break down and maybe get fungal infection in there? I have heard theat calamine lotion can help with this, but you also may need some anti-fungal prep too ....



Failing that have you seen your stoma nurse for advice?



Hope some of that might help?



Take care



Rach xxxx

it does get itchy and depense on the person as to how bad. i have found that the stoma powder can help sometimes and i find that eakin seals help reduce itchiness close to the stoma for me

benzion makes a cover on your skin not to expensive here in states either and try a lotion that they use for chicken pox to take the ichy away i can come close to spelling calimine lotion it takes itchy away and so does oatmeal put it in a sock and get it wet put the paste on skin  works really good at stoping the ichy

It would not surprise me that i'm allergic as i am to Micropore.
i have tried changing them daliy, every other day, 3-4 days you name it.
I have since b4 i can remember i have had itchy skin but no visiable sign as to why. i always thought cause my skin is dry. but it is so much worse where the bag attatches to me. everywhere else is fine just scratch a tiny bit more than normal people would.
i have told my nurse but she said it was normal at first but it getting worse but i will contact my nurse again and see what she says.
thanx

My Ostomy Journey: Jearlean | Hollister

Hi, as to the chicken pox stuff do i put it on b4 i put the flange on???

Cause it gets itchy under (only where it is sticky) as well as around.

i answered you on another post, i still don't think it's normal, my ileo is 2 yr old and it's never itched at all. it got to be in the products you're using.............

pundy asked me to tell you to try putting a bag on another site and see if you have the same reaction

Putting a wafter on the other side to see if that starts to itch, is an excellent idea.  That will definately let you now if it is an allergic reaction or not.  This sight is excellent...so many smart ostomates...love you all!

you would put calimine lotion on b4 you put your wafferon and put the benzion on on top so it seals let it dry then apply your glue and waffer

Hi, I had severe itching after my ileo op. The stoma nurse was brilliant - I tried lots of different types of bags, then found one that fit and didn't leak. Then the stoma nurse got my to use an ostomy powder to cover the red sore skin. This let the bag make a proper seal around the stoma. I don't have any problems now and have been using the same style bag for about 9 years!

Hope you get this sorted soon



p.s. the idea about putting the bag on a different location is brilliant!!!!

Hey Eddie,
I had a colostomy up until 6 months ago when my colon was reattached and an ileostomy inserted and I had problems much the same as you until I started using Eakin seals. I was ignorant of what was available and I could not believe the difference the seals made.

I now wear the same pouch for at least 4 days with no problems before the seal tends to break down and itchiness begins. As soon as this happens I change it immediately as it begins to burn the skin quickly. They also eliminated the leakage probs I was having completely.

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sounds like allergy to me, need to get hollister tapeless flanges, some people are sensitive to a lot of the products. I couldn't use hollister with tape but have no problems with the tapeless. I use convatec with the paper tape and like it or hollister. Call the company reps and ask for samples of different products and they will help. It may be skin barrier wipes that are the problem. If you have ostomy support group in your area attend there are lots of ideas there and loads of advice on what can work           Sherry

I live in a very tropical and warm climate. Lots of sweat.

I had the same problem until I found Cortizone-10 in a roll on applicator.

I simply roll on this cortizone-10 once a day around my wafer.

Try Cprtozpme-10 in a roll on applicator, works for me.

I have an ilostomy (10 years).  I used convatec for years, then switched to Hollister -- I quickly developed Allergic Dermatitis (allergic reaction to the tape).  Awful itching and small hives!!  I immediately switched back to Convatec, but the ithing continued.    This routine works for me:



I change pouches about every 4 days.  



1.  I clean the skin with a very mild soap (NO PERFUME OR DEODORANT SOAPS).  Plain Dial is very good.    



2.  I then wipe the skin gently with ONE Provodone Prep Pad.  



3.   I then rub a very small amount of Sween Cream on the skin around the stoma, especially the areas where itching occurs -- the relief is immediate!



4.  Take a dry tissue and thoroughly wipe all the Sween Cream off (a small faint amount will be left on the skin, but you don't want it to interfere with adhesion of the tape.  



5.  Apply a small amount of Calamine lotion, or Benedryl Clear to all the skin around the stoma.   They both are very effective on itching.   Be sure to quickly dry with a cool blow dryer or small fan for about 45 seconds.  



6. Dust with a small amount of Stoma Powder.  



7.  Gently pat the entire area with a NON-STING Barrier Wipe.      If you use eakin seals, apply it now,  Then apply your pouch.  



It may seem like a lot, but it's a better alternative to the horrific itching.  I've actually gotten so good at it, I can do it in about 3 minutes.   The provodone iodine wipes can be every other application.  It really seems to clean up fungal bacteria which can build up on the skin over time.  If itching occurs between changes, I have applied Calamine right over the wafer tape and let it soak through.  That also helps.