Irritated and Painful Skin Around Wafer

I'm looking for suggestions on how to alleviate pain, itching, and irritation due to adhesives around the wafer. I use a 2-piece Hollister.

Hello Cvn615.
Thank you for inviting us to help with your problem.
There have been many (past) suggestions on this issue that can be found in the 'collections' section at the top of the page.
My solution was to experiment with as many different devices as possible to try to find one that did not irritate my skin. When that did not happen I started making my own baseplates and attaching them with prosthetic adhesive. That has worked for me for years but recently the skin has started to become sore again. The stoma nurse suggested that it might be due to the fact that I wear a belt and this creats pressure on the area. With this information I have experimented with wearing stoma collars first,then a bag over the top. I change these every day and no longer wear a belt. The problem of irritated skin has resolved itself, so I presume the stoma nurse was right in her assessment.
I do hope others join in with their suggestions and I also hope you find a solution soon.
Best wishes

Bill

You might have to try a different kind of bag. You might be allergic to the adhesive on the Hollister bag. Do you use skin protective wipes or spray? Try putting that not just around your stoma but around the area where the wafer goes. If that doesn't help, you might try a different brand of bag. It might have an adhesive that is kinder to your skin.

G-Day Cvn,

Infinitycastle is correct; get all the other companies to send you free of charge samples of their products and try until you find the right one.

The adhesive is the problem for a lot of people, so go on the hunt for the right one.

Regards, IGGIE

Hi CVN, can you tell us your routine for changing the system you use? When I do a change, I wash around the stoma with plain warm water, no soaps, and then pat dry with TP. Then I warm the Brava ring from Coloplast in my hands, and before I put it around my stoma, I dry the skin again with TP. Then I warm the wafer in my hands and then put that on, then the pouch.

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

My stoma nurse gave me these suggestions. If you can remove everything, take a shower, apply cortisone cream and fungal cream around the stoma, and lay down for about 15-20 minutes for it to absorb. I do this when my skin is very irritated. Then wash off with Cetaphil or other mild soap, dry well, apply Brava barrier cream (I do this when my skin is healthy too), apply ostomy powder or fungal powder, brush off excess, then apply skin protection (I use Cavilon), let dry, and apply ring, barrier, etc. Check to make sure you have your barrier as close to your stoma as possible. No skin should show when you try your template around your stoma - Hollister has printable oval templates. Don't use cortisone cream every time you change your appliance as it can thin your skin. I use the Brava barrier cream every time and also use it on the skin outside of the appliance as my skin gets really dry.

Another vote for Brava barrier cream. I apply this from around the stoma to past where the edge of the wafer will sit; it seems to reduce any rashes from sweat or water. Always make sure it's well rubbed in so the skin is slightly "grippy" before applying the wafer.

You state that it is due to adhesives. Then send off for samples for a different barrier/wafer/flange. Try a different product line from Hollister; try products from Coloplast; and try products from ConvaTec. Most importantly, make sure when you remove your barrier/wafer/flange that you are using an adhesive remover to remove all the adhesive, then clean the skin and apply a barrier wipe before you apply another barrier/wafer/flange.

Hello Cnv615, where is your stoma nurse on this?