There is an ostomy company that has oval stencils to use when measuring your stoma.
It's called Nu-Hope Laboratories in California. Their website is:
www.nu-hope.com
**** Or you can call 1-800-899-5017
Incidentally, there should be a 1/8 inch leeway around your wafer.
Don't cut the wafer/flange too close, leave a one-inch leeway.
It seems you have excoriated skin from feces laying on it... Here are directions for changing one's pouch
Steps For Changing Your Pouch
Wash your hands well and have all equipment available.
***Gently*** remove the pouch. ***Push the skin away from the seal.*** ;
***Do not pull the ostomy wafer away from your skin.***
Wash your stoma and the skin around it carefully with soapy water.
* Do not use a soap that has perfume or lotion added to it.
* Use mild soap, such as Ivory, Safeguard, or Dial.
Look carefully at your stoma and the skin around it for any changes. ***Allow your stoma area to dry completely*** before connecting the new pouch.
Trace the shape of your stoma onto the back of the new pouch and barrier or wafer (wafers are part of a 2-piece pouch system).
* Use a stoma guide with different sizes and shapes, if you have one. Or, draw the shape of your stoma on a piece of paper. You may want to cut out your drawing and hold it up to your stoma to make sure it is the right size and shape. The edges of the opening should be close to the stoma, but they should not touch the stoma itself. *** (Leave 1/8" leeway).***
Trace this shape onto the back of your new pouch or wafer. Then cut the wafer to the shape.
* The skin around your stoma should be completely dry and smooth. There should be no wrinkles in the skin around the stoma. (I use a hairdryer, on low setting, to completely dry)
Remove the backing from the pouch. Make sure the opening of the new pouch is centered over the stoma and pressed firmly onto your skin.
* Hold your hand over the pouch and barrier for about 30 seconds after you have placed it. This will help seal it better. Warming the skin also helps. (Again, use a hairdryer on low setting).
CARING FOR EXCORIATED SKIN
If after removing your wafer you find your skin to be red, denuded of skin, painful or sensitive, you have Excoriated Skin.
Excoriated skin is often caused by pulling at your wafer too vigorously, along with moisture under the wafer. Use the 'Push Pull' method below.
When removing your wafer, use a non-alcohol adhesive remover. Simply hold down your skin with the adhesive remover pad and going from side to side, gently pull your wafer down and away from your skin.
After gently washing the stoma and surrounding skin with warm water, dry the skin thoroughly. Sprinkle the skin with stomahesive powder, dust off the excess and seal the powder in with a non-alcohol containing skin prep, i.e. Cavilon spray.
Wipe the skin with the skin prep until you can't see any more powder. Then instead of placing your wafer squarely on your skin, put it on a diamond shape. The next wafer change put it on your skin squarely [ ] and rotate every other change.
This gives at least part of your excoriated skin a good chance to heal. Remember, be gentle with your skin and it will be good to you!
A quick fix (as long as it's not fungal in origin) is to get some Maalox (not the mint kind!). Don't shake the bottle, skim the watery bit off the top and dab the thicker mixture onto your irritated skin. Wait for it to dry and put your wafer on over the top (it will still stick!). It helps soothe and heal the sore irritated skin.
(If you have trouble locating Maalox, it may have been discontinued, use the generic brand).
I hope this helps
Copyright 2007 Larry Pilarski All rights reserved