How much stoma powder are people using?
I asked the stoma nurse and was told, "As much as you need."
I was also told that I was using too much, and then another nurse told me I was using too little.
What does stoma powder do anyway?
Answers, please, written on a 100-dollar bill and posted to me.
When I use it, I pour some on and then use the bottle itself facing upward to blow off the excess. Whatever sticks to my skin is how much I use.
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Well, I hit the two year mark. I went back and read my posts from when I first found this site. I was very fortunate in that I stumbled upon it only 4 weeks post op. I have said many times that this community really saved me. The first 2 weeks after my surgery I shut down completely. It wasn't until about the 3rd week that my son came in to my room, flicked on the light and told me I was going to have to get back to living because I was scaring him. I had fallen into such a depression. He ticked me off, but it also made me stop and think- what was I going to do? Feel sorry for myself and sulk, or be grateful I was alive.
I've re-read my journals from that time and it was after my son kicked my butt, so to speak, I took an honest inventory and had to dig deeper than I've ever had to. I mean, I had survived a pretty nasty divorce, after a pretty crappy marriage and that was tough. But this was different. I felt like I was now a handicapped person who would be limited in their life and be looked at as a freak. My mental state was precarious, at best.
But then I found this site. I just lurked a bit before posting. I read so many of the other stories and I started to see just how full my life can be, I was not handicapped, and certainly not a freak! The stories of survival, the sense of humor, the support and compassion was inspiring. It was then I made myself get out of the dark, and get my sh*t together.
Not all rainbows and sunshine at first, hardly! But with grace from myself - to myself, and the kindness and willingness of the folks here to be supportive, non judgemental and openly share intimate details about their life circumstances, l not only survived but thrived.
I think of all the years I had suffered with such extreme pain, barely functioning, and the many hospital stays and how that is all behind me now. (All fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I never have to go near a hospital for myself ever again. I think I'd rather have a fork stuck in my eye. I loathe every about them.)
So, to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, to say thank you is not enough. I'm forever grateful to know you all. My Angels, each one of you.
And as the Grateful Dead famously said,
"what a long strange trip it's been!"
Im so happy I'm tripping with you all.
You need a very light dusting. You should have written instructions enclosed in your box.
Hi BB,
Technically, you shouldn't need any stoma powder... so why are you using it? Its purpose is to protect broken skin around the stoma from irritation. Damaged/broken skin emits water as part of the healing process, and stoma powder is to be used to absorb that moisture so another barrier can be applied. You only want to use as little as needed, as adhesives won't stick to a lot of it. You should really focus on why your skin is being damaged in the first place, fix that, and ditch the powder altogether. So the answer to your question is "only as much as needed for only as long as it's needed."
Sorry bud, but I'm shit out of $100 bills. Just used my last one to buy a Philadelphia Eagles ball cap to send to my Bro. It's football season, you know, and I want those ball players to keep making more and more money!
;O)
I don't use stoma powder anymore. It was too messy for me and didn't do me any favors. I use skin protective wands right now until I run out of them. Then I'll have to use the wipes. Ugh. I think the powder is supposed to protect your skin from irritation. I don't really know what it does as it didn't do anything for me.
I use powder only if there is skin irritation and then only a dusting. And I do this in conjunction with Cavilon. If the skin is intact, I use no powder and no Cavilon. Less is better!
Powder by itself can also interfere with the barrier life.
https://www.hollister.com/-/media/files/pdfs-for-download/ostomy-care/hol_os_adapt-stoma-powder-care-tips_na_923064-1217.ashx
I don't use stoma powder. Even with a light dusting, it caused my bag not to stick well. I don't even use a barrier wipe anymore. I just remove the adhesive and wash and rinse real well with an Ivory or Dial white soap and water, dry well, and slap that bag on.
Just to be sure you understand, you only use stoma powder if you have irritation around the stoma. If no irritation, then no powder. If you have irritation, put powder only on the irritated area and wipe off excess powder very gently with a dry cloth. I then spray skin barrier spray on my skin all around the stoma and let it dry before placing the pouch.
