Urgent Help Needed for Colostomy Barrier Issue

Just changed my barrier this morning; I was itching in the middle of the night. I took it off, WOW! I had a terrible road rash underneath the barrier, put stoma powder on it, but I'm afraid the barrier isn't going to adhere to my skin. Is there anything I can get at the local drugstore? It burns like hell! I have to go out for an appointment today. What can I do? In all of these past 15 years, this has never happened before! Colostomy

This won't help you at the drug store, but if you get some Marathon, that would help.

I am not sure what you could get at a drug store to help. Maybe some medical tape to put around the edges of your wafer to keep it on and sealed?

Someone recommended Domeboro soak. It's worked wonders with the skin around my drain that was breaking down. It's kind of drying, so it may help.

The active ingredient is aluminum acetate. If they don't have this brand, ask the pharmacist.

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PS, obviously you can't really "soak" the area per directions. I've been soaking a paper towel in the solution and laying it on the skin.

Unsure if the drugstore has this. But since the ostomy accessories where I am are limited, what I have been taught by the hospital is that if you have a rash and the bag won't stick, you should get Hypafix or any type of transparent adhesive roll (they're usually in the same section as bandages), stick it around the stoma, and then stick the wafer on top of the Hypafix. When you remove it, be extra gentle though, because it can sting.

I had something similar happen to me about 2 months ago. My WOC nurse told me it was a fungal infection, and I put some fungal cream on, and it went away after about a week. I rubbed the cream on, let it sit for about 10 minutes, wiped it all off, cleaned it, and applied my barrier, and I was good to go after about 5-6 days. It hurt/burned like hell, though, so it may be what you have.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Original non-fragrance Head and Shoulders shampoo can help.

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This may help. I always put down this barrier film before the ring.

It just wipes on your skin and dries in 10 seconds, leaving a cover film.

You might find this at CVS…

That's what I've been doing to my skin, and it really has helped. Then I put on the Brava sheet just over the areas that were so inflamed, and that is helping give my skin time to heal.

It wasn't my original idea; I got it from someone on this site. But I am super grateful to have learned about it. My stomas haven't had any problems yet, but that drain site has been endless trouble.

I use the Cavilon swabs and spray. Swabs are excellent for crusting. Wet an area, then sprinkle stoma powder on top. Then repeat a couple of times.

For rash around my stoma, I clean with Head and Shoulders Classic Shampoo, then apply Boudreaux's Butt Paste diaper rash cream. Remove excess, then apply Hollister Karaya 5 Powder #7905 to help your bag stick.

Take care

You can tell right away when you feel that itch that something is going on. Perhaps call your doctor or ostomy nurse and get a script for niacin powder for fungus. Use an adhesive remover wipe, sprinkle some powder on the rash, then dab with a barrier wipe (I like Medline), let it all dry, and apply the wafer. Good luck!

Sounds like a good thing to use - indeed a barrier wipe that actually dries and acts as a 'barrier skin' [in a very subtle dried layer - designed for purpose - will be helpful on a longer-term basis to have as part of one's ostomy management routine over time.

To get you to your appointment, my reply is not of use ..... Hope you found a solution that was workable on the day - and also I hope you have followed through and found the actual cause of the problem - as you do not wish your rash to become worse and incorrectly aggravate it.

Personally, I use Salts barrier wipes when necessary - [British manufacturer] - Before that, I used to use a product by Dansac - Please note there will likely be an equivalent product manufactured by the brand of appliance you use - all the main players in the ostomy marketplace have a similar option - just a case of finding your own preference.

But do be sure to find the root cause of the problem.

Good luck

BW

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ waves to Illinois from the UK ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Well, so far, so good! I had put on a new barrier and stuck about 10 barrier strips around it. Still holding up well. I did go to the local drugstore and purchase a package of Hydrocolloid Gel adhesive pads, waterproof seal, lasting up to 7 days. It's for wound care, absorbs fluid, and seals out water. Thought I'd put a piece on the small areas of rash. Kinda looks like an elastic skin barrier you put around your appliance that the pouch attaches directly onto. The only problem is, I don't want to remove the appliance because I just applied it, and it looks like it's adhered really well. Afraid I'll do more damage to the integrity of the skin site. So I'll give it a couple more days. Discomfort is gone. I've come to the conclusion, since this hasn't happened in all these years, that I've been having a problem with nonstop UTIs and have been maybe a little OCD in my sanitation when emptying my pouch. I've started rinsing it out with hand sanitizer (Dawn hand liquid soap) every time I empty, which is several times a day! I believe it broke down the integrity of the barrier ring; therefore, some of the stool, since I have all liquid, leaked underneath where I couldn't notice it until it was way too late. I can usually go a week before changing the barrier; I just have to change out the pouch. Oh well, I'm in my 70s, live and learn! Thanks, my Warrior friends!

I'm glad you found a solution that works for you. I'll need to investigate the wound care aisle at my drugstore.

Having a similar issue - seems there are 2 kinds of rash, either fungal or bacterial. Resolution would be based on which type it is. Where is w30bob when we need him? jb

Went to the doctor yesterday - says it is bacterial - prescribed Clotrimazole cream USP, 1% - today is day 2, still waiting.

Swim dancing on hold 😩