Hi everyone, long time lurker, this is my first post. I've had my ileostomy for 30 years and up until a couple of years ago, despite stoma retraction, I've had an uneventful time. I've had to change my bag to Confidence Be as my previous supply was no longer being manufactured. I've had a few episodes of leaks but on the whole, I have been happy with this new system. I have, however, had to start using various products like barrier wipes, residue remover, powder, etc., which I didn't use before because of Eakin rings now swelling (they never did before) and helping the bags adhere more as they are a lot heavier than my previous bag. However, over the past few weeks, it's causing me significant problems with sudden leakage and extremely sore skin which stings (this has never been an issue with previous leaks). I'm wondering if it's the residue spray I might have developed an allergy to, as I use that more than anything else. Has anyone else experienced this?
Are you saying you have used Eakin rings in the past...??
Or are you beginning to use them. ??
If you used them in the past without issue, then that's good, but Eakin are known to cause irritating skin, if that's what you are calling an allergy.
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Hi Deb,
As you can see, the outpouring of love and support from this website will help you to find the strength to lift yourself up and out of your current emotional situation. I am lucky to have my husband by my side through all of this, so I will not even pretend to know how you feel and what you're going through alone. I do know that I have great friends on this site and in my life that have been by my side, and hopefully you have many by your side as well. You do have a lot of new friends here. Please feel free to talk through anything that is on your mind. We all go through a confidence deficit when we go through an ostomy surgery. Our body has been marred and your mind feels that way sometimes too. It is tough to move on, but you will. You will be stronger once you realize that you are still the beautiful woman you were prior to your surgery. Hopefully, you can reach out to a local support group and find some additional friends in your same situation. It always helps to have a sounding board wherever you find it!
Puppyluv
Lots of folks, myself included, have had problems with Eakin rings and red, burning, and peristomal skin breakdown. The best thing I could suggest is to try different things one by one once your skin heals up and see what gives you grief.
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
It could be any of them you've become allergic to. Best to rule them out one at a time. Go without using the spray for a week or two; if it is that, you will soon see a difference in your skin. Just my own view and what I always use: I wash my skin around the stoma with Dermol 500 lotion. I think it helps keep my skin happy and healthy.
Hi there,
A piece of helpful advice: Anything new you are going to try, try it first on your abdomen on the opposite side of your stoma. That way, you can tell if you are going to have an allergic reaction without it being around the stoma. Or, as in the situation you're in now, test and see which one is causing issues. But like I said, on the side of the abdomen that doesn't have your stoma. And yes, you could be allergic to any one of those. I got sent a different brand of adhesive remover, and I had a reaction.
My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister
Great way to do a test Beth, everyone should follow your recommendation when they try a new product. I love it. Regards IGGIE
I found that using baby oil to remove the residue works well. It takes a bit longer but worth it. Down side is you then have to remove the oil to get good adhesion. I use baby wipes for that then gently go over the skin with a wetted dry wipe then dry as usual followed by calamine lotion. When I had a lot of itching and soreness my stoma nurse gave me some Comfeel transparent hydrocolloid patches to use over the sore bits. Removing these each bag change.
Have you spoken to your stoma nurse?
Hope it heals soon.
I was using eakin rings and had issues. I now use Brava protective seals which work better and do not swell.
Learn how convex skin barriers work and what benefits they offer.
I had issues with Eakin rings. Occasional itching & leaks. Small prolapse. Tried Hollister, Coloplast & Convetec. Now use Convetec moldable Durahesive with Hydrocolloid flexible collar. Comes in sizes & can fit all stomas. No leaks in over 2 years. What are you cleaning your peristomal area with? Avoid alcohol cleaning wipes, as it dries the skin & causes itching. Try Adapt No Sting adhesive remover. Or try washing with Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub. People who wash their stomas in the shower recommended it. Cleans great - no residue or itching.
Just a thought...
Coloplast is the only bag on the market that includes zinc within the wafer. Zinc is an excellent healer - when I had total skin breakdown following my TIES device, and at other times in my life when there has been a skin reaction and a serious allergic reaction to overcome - again I have turned to Coloplast.
BTW, a research chemist working for another ostomy product company confirmed the information, which over the years has proved to be very valuable. For a short usage of a suitable wafer when skin may become exacerbated, it is a pretty efficient way of overcoming skin problems - It works for me, perhaps it may work for you?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ waves ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BW
Jayne
Hope this may help you.