Indentation in Skin Next to Stoma

Replies
6
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178
Em1
Oct 17, 2025 7:30 pm

I keep getting an indentation in my skin next to my stoma along the edge, making it hurt. I have had my colostomy for 3 years. I have a parastomal hernia too. Has anyone had this happen?

AlexT
Oct 17, 2025 10:53 pm

Probably cutting the hole too small. Since you have a colostomy, cut the hole a bit bigger and see if that helps.

Posted by: HungryHamster

Hi,

Not blowing my own trumpet or anything, but I was at the healthiest I had ever been prior to getting UC symptoms. I was eating very healthy and exercising 6/7 days. I'd love to know if any lifestyle factors affect UC, but I suppose I'll have to wait until they figure out what causes it.

I've been trying to occupy myself by being in contact with friends often, but some days I am really not in the mood and find it hard to drag my mind away from what ends up being a mountain of thoughts. I suppose it's all part of the learning process and I'm sure it'll happen less with time. This website has been great so far. It's great to be able to write this sort of stuff down and chat with people that understand what's going on. For that, I thank everyone on this website.

Thanks,

Hamish.

Em1
Oct 18, 2025 12:30 am

My bags are precut, and my stoma has been the same size for a long time.

AlexT
Oct 18, 2025 3:22 am

Precut and the same size, but the hernia can affect the fit.

jalrein
Oct 18, 2025 9:40 pm

Em1- I have a parastomal hernia, and I use convex wafers. I cut mine myself, and I have a round indentation. Each time I take off my appliance, I take 30 minutes to let the indentation subside. When I take a shower, I was taught to take everything off so the indentation goes away then too. That's the only way it goes away. Good luck!!!

 

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Kyle
Oct 20, 2025 2:45 am

Shortly after my surgery, I got cellulitis because somehow my output burned my skin. It was very painful but didn't really show on the outside, so I didn't know what was going on. The surgeon gave me antibiotics twice to clear it up. The only way I knew it was infected was that I pressed the skin beside my stoma and pus came out. Even after a few years, it still gets itchy where the infection was. Keep an eye on it, as normally it shouldn't hurt. I also remeasure my stoma often and cut the hole as close as I can - about the width of a dime, as any bigger causes my skin to get burnt.

Tommy L
Oct 21, 2025 4:10 am

You can cut a piece of ring or the straight rubber and patch the indented hole. That worked for me. You will have to use a dab of glue on the rubber patch.