Sore Skin from Adhesive: Any Tips?

The adhesive area where the bag attaches is very sore. What can I do?

Depends on the cause of the soreness.

Are you getting leaks?

Are you removing it carefully with adhesive remover? Pulling too hard on the skin will cause soreness.

Are you potentially allergic to the adhesive? Try a different brand. Test on the other side of your abdomen if you can.

Does the skin look normal, or is it irritated and/or raw? Is it sore all the time, or just when you change your appliance? Is output getting under the wafer and onto your skin? That will cause irritation for sure, especially if you have an ileostomy. Otherwise, as Susan said, it could be that you are allergic to something in the product.

Terry

When I got out of the hospital, it was 8 days before I could get the ostomy nurse to come in, and my stomach had shrunk enough for the acid to damage my skin. A few weeks later, pus came out between the stoma and skin as I had cellulitis—like the worst sunburn you've ever had. It needed two courses of antibiotics. I also had problems with a rash, so when I have my bag off, I put some cortisone cream and a fungicide on and lay down for 20 minutes—wash it off with mild cleanser—dry well—use Brava barrier cream, stoma powder, and Cavilon skin protector. Cut your appliance as close to your stoma as you can. I got an oval-shaped template from the Hollister website as I have a loop colostomy—I make sure no skin is showing when I put the template up against my stoma. I apply the barrier ring around my stoma (I stretch it and cut it to fit closely) and then put on my appliance. It's trial and error to find what works for you. Don't use cortisone cream every time, as it can thin your skin, so as soon as you have the issue under control, just try to prevent the problem. If you're itchy, antihistamines really help—I use Benadryl.