Successful Healing of 5-Month Ostomy Lesion!

Dear Ostomates, I want to share the happy ending of five months of pain, burning, discomfort, and frustration. Early March, I noticed an infection around my stoma (I have an ileostomy since 2005). After one week of a worsening situation (about a 3 in. by 2 in. open wound and infection under the skin), I went to see my surgeon. He gave me some good news: no need for surgery; this type of infection is common in ostomy patients. He said the infection would rarely get under the abdominal muscles because the body builds a barrier of tissue around and under the stoma. He prescribed a strong combination of two antibiotics. I took them for seven days and noticed the oozing had slowed down, but not disappeared. After another week, I called my doctor again and told him the skin around the stoma still had pus on it, lots of it. He prescribed a cream called Iruxol (I live in Central America, but I'm sure you can get this prescribed in the US, maybe under another name because it's manufactured by Abbott Labs). I applied the cream for a few weeks, noticing a decrease in the affected area. But the final one-inch of the lesion would not dry up. You can imagine it makes sense that a wound like that needs to be uncovered so it can heal. Then I mentioned the problem to a doctor friend, who prescribed Neobol spray (Pharmanova, Switzerland). Yesterday, when changing my wafer, I noticed a fresh layer of dry skin over the lesion. Thank you, Lord!

P.S. See your Nurse Practitioner or Doctor for a prescription of this medication. I'm sure they're familiar with them.

Thanks, Elberix, for sharing a story with a happy ending.  That's valuable information you offered.

Stay well,

Mike

So happy for you that the infection cleared. That is very good news!!! I will keep that valuable information in my "back pocket" as the saying goes, just in case. Thank you again for sharing. LH

Wow, that is wonderful! Praise the Lord indeed! I am very happy for you, hope it stays healed and never returns.

Hi "elberix" and anyone else needing this info,

I too have been struggling with months of open wounds under my flange....for the SECOND time! I was obviously VERY interested in this valuable information. After many attempts of getting my hands on it and much investigation, here is what I found out.

- Neobol spray made by Unipharm, is not available in the USA or Canada. My friend couldn't readily find it in Mexico.

When I researched the ingredients of Neobol, I discovered that it is two ingredients; Clostebol Acetate 0.5 with Neomycin Sulfate 0.5.

Strangely, when I searched for a product in the US with these ingredients, a product DID come up....made by Unipharm..BUT for Veterinary use only!

The VERY SAME ingredients!

- So....I showed this to my dermatologist and she didn't like the NEOMYCIN SULFATE (an antibiotic) as she had seen some strong allergic reactions to it. She asked if she could see my wounds/sores. ...well....I think we were both happy that I had pictures on my cellphone of them to show instead. She suggested compresses with DOMBORO solution for as long as possible (up to an hour) when doing a change. It would help dry out the sores. The ingredients in Domboro are Aluminum Sulfate Tetradecahydrate/ Calcium Acetate Monohydrate. It works as an astringent to dry up any weepiness, oozing, and generally heal. Comes in individual packets in a box and are very inexpensive. Common item at the drugstore.

-- Then I had an appointment with my Ostomy nurse at the Colorectal Surgeon's office. We were about to do a second round of localized steroid injections around the sores to promote healing. So I showed them the info on the Neobol spray and shared what my dermatologist had said and indicated. They agreed and he said my sores did not look infected so the antibiotic part of the spray was not really necessary. The other ingredient was a kind of steroid. So I asked if there was anything he knew of I could use with that as a spray. hahahaha.......now it gets fun!

- He came back in the room with a prescription for Symbicort.....an INHALER for people with asthma. I was to use it as a spray topically on my wounds after the astringent compresses. (Bless that Surgeon for thinking outside the box with me)

- So I did this and just under the dressing where needed, I added a very small amount of Medihoney. I will tell you that thanks to all that I am now healing nicely!

All this thanks to you Elberix. Thanks for sharing the info. It took a lot of digging and research, but fortunately I had doctors who were willing to work with me in finding a way. I hope all this can benefit anyone else who needs it.

I have lots more to share but for now I wanted to let everyone know about this info. :))

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Feliz Navidad!

Thank you Vikinga for the helpful information. I have been having itching under my flange, not near the stoma so I am concluding it is the flange and not stool leakage. I must be having some sort of reaction to the wafer. How I wish I could go a day without wearing a flange to give my skin a break. Anyway, I found keeping the barrier wipe to a minimum helps and using a barrier remover at the time of a complete change also helps. I also get itchy bumps under the flange too. They aren't weepy, just itchy at times. Regarding the inhaler on the skin, I use the steroid solution from a nebulizer in my neti pot. It helps keep me unstuffed. Thank you again Vikinga. I am keeping this information you posted available, just in case. Happy Holidays to you :) LH

LadyHope,

Have you changed any products lately? Maybe something in one of them is causing the itch. If you can, during a slower stoma activity period, try putting some zinc oxide cream on any of the red bumps and leave it on a few minutes. Then wipe off very well and use a couple layers of barrier wipe to help the adhesion of the flange. You could also use a few drops of a Head and Shoulders kind of shampoo (without conditioner) in some warm water and use as a wash on the skin. Wait a few minutes and then rinse off very gently. The zinc in the shampoo helps heal aggravated skin. Saw this posted by an Ostomy nurse on another board. Many have posted good results with that.

Another couple of things to try are some aloe vera gel straight from the leaf. Rub on gently. Let dry. Works as a healing barrier wipe. No need to remove. Or some have used Milk of Magnesia wiped on, let dry and proceed as usual. Some use Povidone Iodine solution as a healing barrier wipe, but then have to use adhesive to make things stick.

Natural Care Gel is a clear gel you can get on Amazon that was recommended by a fellow Ostomate in our Support Group. It is also very helpful.

As far as adhesive removers, I like the silicone type the best. No residue.

But I must say, I have never heard of using a nebulizer in the Neti Pot! :))

UPDATE 12/16/2015

Just saw my dermatologist again. She has now prescribed a steroid spray. No more playing with the nebulizer :) She can prescribe varying strengths of steroidal sprays but we are staying conservative and will see how that works. When I asked her about any cautions of steroidal use on the wounds, she said that it was best to not use beyond time when it is really needed as it can over time thin the skin. SO, I will be good and only use till wounds are fully closed. Certainly don't want thin peristomal skin!!

This has all made me really aware how important it can be to include one's dermatologist in the healing process.

Thanks for the information as I have had a sore directly under my stoma since my surgery 3 years ago. The stoma nurse said it was part of my stoma but I don't think so. I will try some of these options and hope to have success. Thanks again and Merry Christmas. Penguins7

Well Penguins7, I would ask...does it hurt? 'Cause a sore is usually....well quite sore. Is there any oozing?...like pus-like stuff? Have you tried using a hand mirror to really have a good look underneath yourself?.... Just some thoughts. Also, if you can take a good picture of it when changing, you can e-mail your colorectal surgeon the picture and ask. He should know!

Vikinga, thank you for the dermatologist update and information. Issues/concerns with our stomas and skin are not typical topics of conversation around the "lunch room" table. I am outgoing and sometimes, during a chat with a client, catch myself before saying something about my stoma or concerns. I am very grateful that I have my pals here on this site to help me with the questions only ostomates understand. Thank you again Vikinga! Wishing you a joyous holiday and happy and healthy new year!

PS - Yes, the nebulizer capsules to relieve stuffiness/congestion was a creative treatment. My new ENT was not familiar with it and thanked me for the suggestion....shall I bill him accordingly...LOL.

Hahaha.....no kidding....! :)) But please be aware that according to what my dermatologist said, you might want to use your nebulizer trick sparingly so as to not overly thin nasal membranes. Of course, a specialist in that field would know best.

I found a natural nasal spray on Amazon that I have on hand just in case for the stuffy nose and sinuses. You can see it here. Very inexpensive.

http://www.amazon.com/North-American-Herb-Spice-2-Ounce/dp/B0011DTL78

Have you ever tried to find an Ostomy Support group in your area? I think the UOAA would have them listed on their site. I became the VP of our local one :)) It helps to have friends that understand our "lingo" ;)

Merry Christmas to you too!

Hi Vikinga, thanks for the information. I really appreciate it. Yes, I attend three different support groups in my area, not every month but fairly regularly. They are great! I met many wonderful people willing to help make my life much easier. I am coming up on my three-year Stanley birthday... I named my ostomy. He is pretty cooperative most of the time... LOL. I just got in from a holiday work party. Stanley and I had a heart-to-heart about the party before we left the house... no big noises as it would not be polite... lol. He was pretty calm. I had a fun night out and enjoyed the party. Thank you again, Vikinga. Talk to you soon. LH

Hi Vikinga, thanks for your counsel. Actually, no, it does not hurt and no oozing. I can see the sore very well as I have a flat stomach. I hope all is well with you. Have a great holiday season. Penguins7