This topic is about finding ways to manage skin irritation for someone with an ileostomy who is considering changing their ostomy appliance daily. They are looking for advice on whether this practice is beneficial or harmful to the skin and are also seeking tips on products and techniques that might help.
Here are some helpful insights and advice:
1. Daily-change routines:
- Consider using standard-wear wafers and pouches from brands like Hollister or Coloplast to avoid wasting extended-wear products.
- Remove the wafer slowly while in the shower.
- For cleansing, use plain warm water, Ivory Soap without scent or moisturizer, or Classic Head & Shoulders shampoo. Avoid soaps that leave heavy residues.
2. Treating and preventing irritation:
- For any redness, apply a thin layer of Butt Paste diaper cream and lightly dust with Hollister Karaya 5 powder. The powder helps absorb moisture, allowing the wafer to adhere.
- Other products to consider include Anacept wound gel for leaks, generic stoma powder, barrier wipes or sprays, and "Barrier Skin Protector" packets.
- Allow the skin to air-dry for a few minutes before applying a new wafer, as daily changes let the skin "breathe."
3. Improving wafer adhesion:
- Press firmly around the stoma after applying the wafer, using a 4 × 4 gauze pad for coverage.
- For even pressure, use a clean PVC cap that fits inside the coupling ring or an empty tape spool as a small roller.
- A few drops of baby oil inside the pouch can lubricate and deodorize output, which is more cost-effective than commercial lubricants and avoids rinsing the pouch with water.
4. Sweat and activity:
- Daily exercise and sweating can break down adhesive, so changing every 24 hours can prevent acidic output from reaching the skin as the wafer erodes.
5. Insurance and supply tips:
- With a doctor's note stating it's "medically necessary," insurers often approve 30 wafers per month for those who change daily.
- Take advantage of free sample programs in the UK and US to try different brands, glues, and thicknesses.
6. Alternative brands and systems:
- Consider Coloplast 2-piece systems, Coloplast SenSura Mio one-piece, ConvaTec convex wafers, and Hollister standard-wear wafers.
- Hollister Karaya 5 powder is also recommended.
7. Special situations with loose or mobile skin:
- Excess skin can make it difficult to get a good seal with normal rings or barriers. Look for products designed for "obese ostomates" or those with loose skin. Nu-Hope offers custom belts and flexible wafers and can provide guidance.
8. Long-wear perspective:
- Some users with ileostomies or colostomies successfully keep Convatec or Coloplast wafers on for 5–10 days without issues. They recommend leaving the wafer alone unless it burns, pressing it firmly when applying, and using minimal accessory products, following the "less is more" approach.
See full discusison