This topic is about dealing with skin soreness around the stoma when using the Novalife 1 Open Soft Easiview Maxi pouch. The person sharing their experience is six weeks post-ileostomy and has faced issues with leaks and skin irritation with previous pouches. Although switching to the Novalife pouch has stopped the leaks, they are experiencing soreness by the end of the day and are seeking advice on whether this will improve or if it might be a reaction to the flange material.

Here are some helpful tips and insights:

1. Do not ignore ongoing soreness, as it is often caused by minor leakage under the adhesive.
2. Make sure the flange hole is cut to the exact shape of your stoma, which is often oval, to minimize exposed skin.
3. If your stoma is flush or retracted, consider switching to a convex pouch, as this has helped others stop leaks and irritation.
4. Try a protective "crusting" routine:
- Lightly dust stoma powder (like generic Stoma/Stomahesive powder).
- Seal with a spray-on skin barrier or barrier wipes.
- Repeat the powder and spray process once or twice, then apply the pouch.
5. Consider additional skin-protective products:
- Calamine lotion for soothing.
- Medline Marathon cyanoacrylate skin protectant, which is thicker and comes in single-use ampoules (note that it is costly and not covered by Medicare).
- Desoximetasone steroid gel (use a very small amount) for severe inflammation or infection.
6. Change the pouch at the first sign of irritation. Most people find they can achieve 3–5 days of wear time once they find the right system.
7. Allow your skin to air-dry fully. Warming the flange with a hair-dryer and pressing a hand over it for 30–60 seconds can improve the seal.
8. To reduce trauma during removal, use adhesive remover wipes or spray, and push the skin away from the wafer instead of pulling the wafer from the skin.
9. Shave or clip any abdominal "peach fuzz" to prevent hair from being pulled by the adhesive.
10. Some people prefer a 2-piece system, as they can leave the flange on for 8–10 days and only swap the pouch, which greatly reduces skin stripping.
11. Request free samples from multiple manufacturers—such as Coloplast, ConvaTec, Hollister, and Welland/CliniMed—to test different wafers, convexities, and barrier formulations until the irritation stops.