This topic is about dealing with severe peristomal skin breakdown and pain, particularly using a product called Medline Marathon. The person sharing their experience had a serious skin infection around their stoma, which was extremely painful and required strong pain medication. Traditional treatments weren't working, and they had trouble getting their ostomy pouch to stick. In the hospital, wound-care nurses used Medline Marathon Liquid Skin Protectant, which helped secure the pouch, although it caused a burning sensation when applied. The person is now home with some concerns about the cost of Marathon and the pain of reapplying it.

Here are some helpful insights and advice shared by others:

1. After the first at-home pouch change, the pouch came off as easily as usual. The Marathon created a barrier that allowed some healing, reducing redness and pain, though not completely.

2. The person ordered a small box of Medline Marathon to have on hand but hopes they won't need to use it regularly.

3. For adhesive removal, several people recommend using Sensi-Care Sting-Free Releaser Spray. It helps remove sticky products like Medline Marathon coatings, Coloplast skin barriers, and Tegaderm without causing pain or skin damage.

4. Medline Marathon is reported to dry quickly and form a protective "shell" over broken skin, aiding in healing. Some people use it at every pouch change as a preventive measure. The cost is about $14 per single-use vial, and some health plans may cover it.

5. As an alternative or additional treatment, a paste made from Nystatin and Desitin can soothe and protect fungal or severely irritated areas.

6. Lightly spraying hydrogen peroxide on the peristomal skin, allowing it to foam, and then dabbing it dry before applying Marathon can help kill bacteria and speed up healing. It's recommended to continue using Marathon until the skin is fully healed.