This topic is about someone who has been living with a colostomy for a year and is now facing severe burning, redness, and leakage around the stoma. These issues are causing significant pain and affecting daily life. Despite following standard medical advice, the problems persist, leading to a hospital visit and consideration of reversal surgery. Here are some helpful suggestions and insights shared by others:

- Ensure the skin around the stoma is completely dry. Use a tissue to blot the area, then a hair-dryer to dry it further. Warm the wafer with the dryer before applying it to help it stick better.

- Cut the opening of the wafer so that only a small amount (about 1/8 inch or 3 mm) of skin is exposed. A larger gap can lead to leakage and skin irritation.

- Use stoma powder with the "crusting" technique:
1. Lightly dust the irritated skin with powder and remove any excess.
2. Seal the area with a skin-prep wipe, dust again, and seal once more.
3. Some people use Desenex antifungal powder as an alternative.

- If the skin is open or weepy, apply soothing or absorptive products before the wafer:
- Seaweed/alginates (available by prescription).
- Calamine lotion (let it dry), followed by liquid adhesive and then powder.
- Domeboro soaks for severe burning or itching.
- Aloe-vera gel.

- During a flare-up, change the appliance more frequently (up to 3–4 times a day) to keep the skin dry.

- Consider changing your pouching system:
- Convex systems have helped some people with leaks due to changes in stoma shape.
- Returning to a previously used brand that worked well can stop bleeding and leakage.
- Two-piece systems allow for brief removal of the bag to treat the skin without disturbing the wafer.

- For better sealing, try using ConvaTec cohesive silicone paste or standard ostomy paste instead of or in addition to powder.

- Adjust your diet to reduce high-volume output by avoiding spicy foods, soda, coffee, and alcohol. Eat foods that thicken output, like oatmeal and granola.

- Allow some "air time" by leaving the appliance off for 30–60 minutes during low-output periods to let the skin dry and heal.

- Don't hesitate to consult an ostomy or wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurse for help with refitting, trying new products, and getting prescriptions. They often have more specialized knowledge than general physicians when it comes to stoma care.

- Emotional and prayerful support is offered by others, and there is encouragement to seek immediate pain relief in the hospital. Some have found success with reversal surgery.