This topic is about dealing with skin irritation and painful welts that can occur under the elastic barrier strips of a colostomy pouch. If you're experiencing this discomfort, here are some helpful suggestions and insights that might make things a bit easier:

1. It's important to first rule out any infection or allergic reaction. Consider consulting with an ostomy nurse or physician for a thorough assessment. You can also use the free pictorial guide "Abdominal Stomas and Their Skin Disorders" to help identify the issue before starting any treatment.

2. You might want to try flanges that contain ceramide, which can help protect and heal the skin around your stoma. Some options include:
- Hollister CeraPlus one-piece drainable pouch #8958
- Coloplast SenSura Mio or other Coloplast systems infused with ceramide

3. Switching barrier accessories could also be beneficial. You could try:
- Convatec AllKare Protective Barrier Wipes used with Convatec Eakin Cohesive Seals under a Hollister one-piece pouch. Samples are available through Convatec.

4. Some topical treatments have been reported as effective by others:
- Applying witch hazel to the irritated skin
- Using generic Flonase (fluticasone) nasal spray: spray it onto your fingers, rub a thin layer over the affected skin, blow-dry for one minute, and then apply your usual skin-barrier product. This method has helped some people eliminate outbreaks and extend the wear time of their appliance to seven days.

5. If the irritation is only in specific spots, it might be due to a bacterial or fungal infection. In such cases, a medical prescription for a topical antibiotic, antifungal, or steroid may be necessary.