Since my surgery, I have been shaving around my stoma, allowing the wafer to have better contact with my skin. With the exception of laser hair removal, is there any other effective way that is safe to the stoma to remove hair? Thanks.
Mark Strobel
Oct 24, 2013 4:41 am
iMacG5
Oct 24, 2013 6:27 pm
Hi Mark. I shaved for about 4 months then, with advice from my surgeon I began using one of those ten dollar ear/nose hair removers. It's like a hedge trimmer but about 1/100 th the size. No more nicks, red/irritated skin, cut stoma or ingrown hairs. It's way better for me and I think, if you give it a try, you'll feel the same.
Good luck,
Mike
Good luck,
Mike
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Posted by: Karen & Stella
Fay,
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
Mark Strobel
Oct 24, 2013 6:37 pm
Thank you so much for your reply. Do you recommend a specific brand?
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iMacG5
Oct 24, 2013 6:57 pm
Hey Mark, you are so welcome. I don't know enough about different brands but I use a Remington and a Norelco. Waiting for a favorable report.
Mike
Mike
Mark Strobel
Oct 24, 2013 7:14 pm
Thank you so much! I was going to try this method a while back, but I always wondered whether it would irritate the stoma. Your testimony, however, confirms that it doesn't. I will give it a try. Thanks again.
Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister
Mark Strobel
Oct 24, 2013 7:29 pm
Just for clarification, are you recommending a hair removal lotion or a shaver? Thanks.
iMacG5
Oct 24, 2013 7:55 pm
NEVER use a lotion to remove hair around the stoma! Use the battery powered device for cutting/removing hair.
Mike
Mike
Mark Strobel
Oct 24, 2013 8:43 pm
Thank you so much for the clarification. For some reason, I thought you were talking about the lotion. Does the lotion irritate the stoma?
iMacG5
Oct 26, 2013 12:03 am
My understanding is to treat the stoma like the inside of the mouth. Hope this helps.
Mike
Mike
Mark Strobel
Oct 26, 2013 5:13 am
Actually, I read today that using a cream or lotion would make it difficult for the wafer to stick to the skin.
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vulcanBMk2
Oct 29, 2013 6:49 pm
My stoma nurse told me to shave my tummy like I shave my face. Just make sure all foam is washed off, skin is dry.
Past Member
Oct 29, 2013 9:38 pm
I purchased a nose hair trimmer made by Philips, but it doesn't get close enough to the skin to be effective, so I'm back to using my old Braun 360 electric shaver. It's not perfect, but it will have to do for now. Perhaps a wet/dry electric razor might be ideal for shaving around the stoma during shower time.
Anoniem18
Nov 27, 2013 1:56 am
Haven't tried my electric shaver either Philips rotary or Braun with a thin flexible foil. I do have the battery-operated hair/nose trimmer, but found a safety razor to be the best.
BTW, don't use your electric appliance hair dryer or razor in the bathroom unless your outlet is a GFI outlet (Ground Fault Interrupt) which cuts the power to the outlet before you get electrocuted.