I haven't used these yet. I was told just to clean with warm water and dry thoroughly, as other things will leave a film that might make the ring not seal.
So, will the skin wipes do that or are they okay to try?
I am finding out since I joined here that I didn't get the best information on how to care for this dang thing from the hospital. Frustration mounting.😢
It is hard to answer not knowing what wipes and appliance you are using. I have had no problem with Esenta Skin Barrier Wipes and ConvaTec wafers. Similarly, no problem with SurePrep Protective Wipes and Hollister wafers. I'm sure Hollister also makes skin prep for their wafers. Skin prep is not strictly necessary, but I always use it. The Esenta Skin Barrier Wipe also is an adhesive remover in addition to prepping the skin. Coloplast recommends not to add any skin prep for their wafers. As everyone's skin/anatomy is different, there is no surefire answer; you will have to experiment.
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Usually, barrier film is used if your peristomal skin is irritated or damaged.
I have a colostomy. I use the Hollister 2-piece system. I use barrier spray, then a barrier wipe with each wafer change.
Barrier wipes are also used with stoma powder for a technique called "crusting." Used on damaged skin. Put stoma powder on damaged skin, brush off excess. Then dab with a barrier wipe over the powder. Let dry. Repeat a couple more times.
Don't use regular soap to clean the skin around the stoma. Use soap that doesn't have fragrance, lotions, or color. I use Cetaphil; it works really well.
Keep asking questions on this site. Soon you'll be an expert.
Thanks, I have the Hollister two-piece and Hollister wipes as well. Will give them a try next change. My skin is irritated around there.
I use the powder to highlight the ring bits and get those all off with the adhesive remover.
If your skin is irritated, use the barrier wipes. Stoma powder is for helping dry out irritated spots. So, put some powder on the irritated area, get/blow the excess off (I use the powder bottle itself to do that), dab the irritated area with a wipe to moisten the powder area, let dry. Repeat if you want. Let everything dry well before applying your new setup.
I love the large no-sting Safe n' Simple barrier wipes. If it's an irritation, use the powder for stoma. Yes, if it's fungal, get Nyamyc powder from the stoma nurse.
Hi Bobbie, I still swear by what my hospital ostomy nurse preached, which is 'less is more'. Don't use anything on your peristomal skin unless you are having a skin problem. Clean, dry skin is the best surface for your appliance to adhere to. You of course need some kind of wipe or spray to remove your old flange, but then as long as your skin is healthy, plain natural soap and lots of water to rinse is all you need. Just make sure your skin is as dry as possible before applying a new flange.
Terry
I have not found the barrier wipes particularly helpful, but my boyfriend does wipe with it before replacing my bag. What I have found most helpful is Domeboro powder, which was recommended to me by someone here. I mix the powder in warm water, my boyfriend wipes and wipes and wipes. He then dries it off with a gauze pad, then we set a blow dryer on the cool setting. My last bag lasted me 4 days with nary a sign of a leak! I will say, since I started the Domeboro, that my belly is much less red and irritated!
I did not like the stoma powder. Found that it affected the adhesion of my bag. The stoma nurse had told us to only use the stoma powder if you have a skin opening, but she did not instruct on how to use it. I did have a raw spot a few weeks ago, and my boyfriend applied some Neosporin and a small piece of a gauze pad. The next change was totally cleared up.
For me, I think we are learning less is more.
If you try the powder again, you have to make sure that you wipe off the excess. Some people don't like it, but I couldn't go without it. I have irritation on the bottom. I think with an ileostomy it's common. There is another company that is not Hollister that is very popular, and they told me not to use the powder. They said that their products don't need the powder, and I'm just like, I can't imagine. I mean, the powder has made a difference for me to the point where I thought I was gonna go mad. I still have days where I feel like that, but for me, it has taken away so much of the pain of the acid burn. Different strokes for different folks, as they say.
I am finding as I go through this journey that everyone is so very different. You learn as you go. Boyfriend and I seem to be on a roll with what we are doing. He says my belly is looking the best he has seen it since my journey began. Suggestions here have had us try things, trial and error. So love this site! So many helpful tips and suggestions!
