Hi folks,
I just got a colostomy in July and am still trying to get adjusted. I am having a really hard time with skin irritation under the wafer. I would really appreciate hearing from any of you how to get this cleared up. I also have a very hard time with “pancaking,” which I think might be contributing to the skin irritation because it's heavy. Thanks for any help you could give.
G-Day SheMac,
If you're having a problem with your wafer, get a few of the other companies to send you a free sample of their wafers, and you will find one of them is better than your current one.
As for pancaking, all you have to do is lift up the front of your bag and open the end. Now add about a cup full of water into your bag, close the end, and swish the water in the bag, which will loosen the pancaking. Now open the bag as normal and empty it, and it will clear your problem.
Regards, IGGIE
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Angelica- As usual, you've written another interesting post. February 5th, 2019, was my reversal surgery after having an ileo for 6 months. I'm one of those fortunate success stories. Of course, things are different now, and I still have to be careful about what and how much I eat, as I don't have a colon. At first, I was afraid to leave the house. My biggest fear was having to use a public bathroom and have the toilet not flush! Even now, when I know that I'll be in someone else's home, I won't eat anything beforehand. I read other people's stories and sometimes feel guilty for having had it so easy, not to mention that I have a significant other who is 100 percent supportive. I've gotten so much out of this website and truly feel for those of you who have it so much worse than I. But I feel it necessary to let folks hear about the success stories.
Do you use a drainable bag or a closed-end bag? Strategies for dealing with pancaking vary by bag type.
It is likely that the pancaking is causing the skin irritation, so fixing that will help.
I use a barrier ring to absorb output and keep it from my skin. Use skin prep like barrier wipes. Try to get Marathon skin prep if you can. It does a superior job of protecting the skin. I had trouble getting it through my insurance, and I ended up buying it myself. I don't know if that's an option for you. It is expensive.
Press on your skin when you remove the wafer; if your skin stays red, there is a high chance you are allergic to the wafer or glue. If you are, the only long-term solution is to change to another brand.
I have had issues on and off with skin breakdown for years. Recently, it was starting up again, and I called Hollister (the company I have been using for supplies) and spoke with a really good nurse. She took enormous time and really listened, asking me to describe step by step how I do a change. After this, she had a number of suggestions. She told me not to use a hairdryer to warm up supplies, as it loosens the glue. Who knew? That was what I had been told by the last nurse. She also recommended a change in a couple of the supplies. She sent me samples and also links to videos that showed the correct way to apply. All of this was very useful, and I think I have it under control. For now, it is an imperfect science. Good luck!
Since you have a colostomy, shower with no bag/wafer on. Wash your skin with whatever soap you choose; I use Dial. Rinse well. Use plain Head and Shoulders on your peristomal skin and let it sit there for a few seconds before rinsing well again. Get out of the shower, dry off, and lay down for however long you feel comfortable; I sometimes go 30+ minutes, allowing your stoma area to get fresh air. Apply your new wafer/bag. Then, like Iggie mentioned, rinse your bag with warm water to get the pancaking off your skin.
I'm also a "newbie," so sorry for responding under Iggie's comment; I couldn't figure out how to reply to SheMac's question. My wound care RN recommended Domoboro, a powder I found on Amazon and at Walmart. You soak a cloth in the powder mixed with water, and when you change your bag, place it on your clean skin for 10-15 minutes - it works wonders with healing and doesn't sting. I developed dumping syndrome but had trouble with pancaking, so my surgeon had me trying 1/2 doses of Miralax, Benefiber, and a prescription med called Reglan to keep things moving through. Best of luck to you!
Hi Heidi,
Great advice!
For the newbies trying to figure out the site, to reply to the original post, scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the reply button there.
It is not at all obvious after someone else has replied. (You'd think it would be with the post, right? But no...)
Lubricating deodorant might help with pancaking; it could help move things down the bag. Also, when you notice pancaking, you can physically move it down the bag. Take a look at what you are eating too; some foods cause pancaking more than others. Thickening foods like peanut butter, squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, and such can lead to more pancaking than other foods.
Put a piece of sticky tape on the outside of the filter with a small fold on one side for easy removal. If there's too much gas, take off the tape and gently push or open the bag to release the gas. I even sleep with the tape on, and I've never had a problem, but be mindful that the bag can pop with gas buildup.