Using Epsom Salts for Irritated Stoma Skin?

I was wondering as I continue to hear about people with irritated skin around the stoma if Epsom salts would aid in the healing process? I read an article about the benefits of Epsom salts and it said they are great for healing. Does anyone have any experience with using them for skin around the stoma? Penguin7

Hi. There's nothing like soaking tired feet in a pan of Epsom salts after 18 holes of golf, but I would be very cautious about using salt on open wounds unless dissolved in a lot of warm water. The idea seems credible, however, since dentists recommend rinsing the mouth with salt water a day or two after extractions. Perhaps we could have a volunteer from the audience check it out and give us a report.
PB

Hi... Epsom salts is very good for healing wounds. Essentially, it dries out the flesh around the wound and it seems to help in crusting over the wound. I would get medical advice when using it around a stoma as the skin is not really functioning in a normal state, i.e., not exposed to the healing effects of
the air. If the skin around my stoma seems stressed, such as a bit of burn, etc., I will put a thin coat of antibiotic ointment on it and around the base of the stoma, spray it with a skin barrier, then apply the wafer. I will also tape the wafer in place for 24 hours until the wafer is well attached to the skin... Hope this is helpful.

When I have small skin lesions around my stoma, I use Marathon skin protection. It comes in a glass tube with a cotton stopper and it's purple. It works really well. I get it from my regular supplier. Perhaps you could ask the next time you place an order. I have Medicare and a supplement, so I don't know if it's expensive or not. Good luck.

Desitin, a zinc-based diaper rash ointment, works well for me. I use a q-tip to apply a thin line around the stoma, very, very thin, as the wafer will not stick wherever the Desitin is. A very tiny amount coating the skin protects it and heals it rapidly. If you can go bare for a period of ten minutes or more with the Desitin, then wash it off really well and apply your wafer as normal, even that will help. Stay close to home and be prepared for leaks until you learn to apply just the right amount that works.

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Another remedy is to apply milk of magnesia on the skin, let it dry, then proceed as normal. Put the skin barrier over the dried milk of magnesia. And, I was told to use the thick part that's in the cap.

The stoma powder works wonders for my irritated skin!