This topic is about a real-world trial of Marathon Cyanoacrylate Skin Protectant, a product used to protect and heal the skin around stomas. It's similar to Super Glue and is used to help secure ostomy appliances while promoting skin healing. Here are some insights and advice from the trial:

- The product comes in small single-use tubes, costing about USD 40 for five tubes. Each tube is supposed to cover 4 square inches, but users found they needed two tubes for that area. Some online sources offer 10 tubes for USD 46.

- To apply, squeeze the vial to let the liquid soak into the foam tip, spread it over clean peri-stomal skin, let it air-dry, and then place the wafer or barrier directly on top. It dries quickly and doesn't sting.

- After the first change at 48 hours, the wafer adhered well and protected the skin, but removal was difficult. Slow peeling worked best, and leftover Marathon had to be scraped off with a fingernail. Petroleum jelly didn't help with removal, despite package instructions.

- After the first use, the skin under the product was intact and healing, making the user consider Marathon a success despite its cost.

Additional insights from users:

1. For easier removal, push the skin down rather than pulling the wafer up. Avoid using petroleum jelly. Skin healing continued with this method.

2. If the lower wafer edge becomes irritated, applying Marathon thicker and switching to softer clothing like sweatpants can help reduce friction. Other treatments like honey or ointments didn't help, but Marathon still seemed beneficial.

3. Leaving the appliance on for an extra day made Marathon easier to remove, with almost no residue. However, users with high liquid output still needed to change every two days.

4. Ensure you use genuine Marathon packaging and instructions, as copies might miss important warnings. Larger applicators are available for broader coverage.

Advice and tips:

- For wafer removal, start at a corner, hold the wafer, and push the surrounding skin away instead of pulling the wafer up.

- If bits of Marathon remain on the skin, you can paint new product over them. Moisture or soaking will eventually release the older layer.

- To help with residue release, take a long hot bath or shower first, and use a hair-dryer on cool or warm to speed up initial drying.

- Petroleum jelly often doesn't work for removal. Some suggest trying vegetable, olive, or canola oil, but results vary. Acetone works chemically but is unsafe for skin.

- To save on product, use small amounts and wrap the applicator tip in plastic wrap to reuse at the next change.

- Wear-time varies: some users with healthy skin can get 6–10 days of wear with certain systems without extra products. High-output users often change every 2–3 days and can use barrier rings or strips to extend time.

- One user shared that using Marathon for a few weeks can help heal severe dermatitis or ulcerations, allowing for normal wafer wear of 6–8 days afterward.

- Remember not to apply Marathon directly to deep, open, bleeding, chronic, or infected wounds, or to second or third-degree burns.

- For persistent skin issues, consider trying food-elimination diets, such as removing gluten, dairy, or sugar.