This topic is about managing skin issues that can occur near your stoma, particularly focusing on hair removal and caring for small wounds. Here are some personal tips and insights shared by an experienced ostomate:

- Hair removal is important to ensure a good seal with your wafer. Keeping hair short is key. While electric razors can cause ingrown hairs, a careful shave with a disposable razor around the stoma, without nicking it, tends to work better.

- For skin preparation, alcohol-based barrier wipes are recommended because they clean and dry quickly. Non-alcohol versions may take longer to dry and might not cleanse as effectively. Make sure to thoroughly wipe any areas with ingrown hairs or pimples.

- If you have a sore close to the stoma, about a quarter-inch away, you can:
1. Fold a piece of plain Puracol collagen dressing to double its thickness and place it directly on the oozing spot.
2. Cover this with a slightly larger, low-profile Duoderm dressing, sticky side down, to keep it in place and protect it from effluent and wafer pressure.

- Some people find Puracol Plus with silver effective, but if your skin reacts poorly to silver, plain Puracol might be a better choice. Both Puracol and Duoderm are usually available in 4" x 4" sheets, which you can cut to the size you need.

- For very small bleeds or pimples, sometimes a folded tissue is enough. However, usually, a tiny square of Puracol alone is placed to prevent the wafer from sitting directly on the spot. The Duoderm layer is only added if more structure is needed.

- These tips are meant for isolated sore spots beneath the barrier and not for large wounds or widespread rashes. Remember, this is based on personal experience and not professional medical advice.

- To avoid ingrown hairs without risking cuts, consider using a low-cost facial hair trimmer with a guard. This clips hair close to the skin without shaving it flush. One person reported no ingrown hairs or pimples since switching to this method and stopping the use of wet shaving and electric razors.