It's been a few years since my last post and for that I apologize.
I am an ileostomate of 16 years now, diagnosed with Crohn's at age 14, surgery when I was 23. I've been extremely lucky with little to no problems arising with bag issues. I use a 1-piece ActiveLife drainable pouch from ConvaTec and have for years.
About 7 years ago, my wife and I moved from Alaska to New Jersey (don't ask me why...lol) and after a couple of months of living here, I started to have a really bad skin irritation (allergy perhaps) under the tape that surrounds the wafer to the point where the itching is unbearable and the skin weeps with serous fluid. The tape turns yellow and of course doesn't stick and the wafer is no longer anchored down with tape.
I've managed without the tape by cutting it off around the wafer and making sure I have a good seal. I then anchor it down with a back brace belt (without shoulder straps) and this system has worked well. The skin irritation went away. I would occasionally try the appliance with the tape on only to have the skin irritation come back. I've tried many different brands of appliances and the hypoallergenic clear ring tape to anchor the bag down with the same results.
Recently, I must have received a bad batch of bags because I've had more brownouts (leakage) in the last couple of months than the entire 16 years of being an ostomate. The wafer seal giving out on one side of the appliance after only 2 days. Normally they last 3-4 days and that's with extensive workouts, sweating, daily showers with the appliance on, etc..etc... I have no folds or dips in my skin, no weight gain or loss, like I said earlier, I've been an incredibly lucky ostomate.
Now my question is, has anyone else had/developed this irritation/allergy to the tape that surrounds the wafer? If so, have you found a solution?
I've researched most of the other forums and found a few tips and tricks that I will try such as the calamine lotion and I've also noticed the different types of support belts advertised at the bottom of the forum pages and I'm going to give them a shot as well. But I would love to hear from anyone who has had similar experiences. Hope to hear from you soon!!
Respectfully,
Bain
I am an ileostomate of 16 years now, diagnosed with Crohn's at age 14, surgery when I was 23. I've been extremely lucky with little to no problems arising with bag issues. I use a 1-piece ActiveLife drainable pouch from ConvaTec and have for years.
About 7 years ago, my wife and I moved from Alaska to New Jersey (don't ask me why...lol) and after a couple of months of living here, I started to have a really bad skin irritation (allergy perhaps) under the tape that surrounds the wafer to the point where the itching is unbearable and the skin weeps with serous fluid. The tape turns yellow and of course doesn't stick and the wafer is no longer anchored down with tape.
I've managed without the tape by cutting it off around the wafer and making sure I have a good seal. I then anchor it down with a back brace belt (without shoulder straps) and this system has worked well. The skin irritation went away. I would occasionally try the appliance with the tape on only to have the skin irritation come back. I've tried many different brands of appliances and the hypoallergenic clear ring tape to anchor the bag down with the same results.
Recently, I must have received a bad batch of bags because I've had more brownouts (leakage) in the last couple of months than the entire 16 years of being an ostomate. The wafer seal giving out on one side of the appliance after only 2 days. Normally they last 3-4 days and that's with extensive workouts, sweating, daily showers with the appliance on, etc..etc... I have no folds or dips in my skin, no weight gain or loss, like I said earlier, I've been an incredibly lucky ostomate.
Now my question is, has anyone else had/developed this irritation/allergy to the tape that surrounds the wafer? If so, have you found a solution?
I've researched most of the other forums and found a few tips and tricks that I will try such as the calamine lotion and I've also noticed the different types of support belts advertised at the bottom of the forum pages and I'm going to give them a shot as well. But I would love to hear from anyone who has had similar experiences. Hope to hear from you soon!!
Respectfully,
Bain
