March/April 2003
Page 7
When the Faceplate Won't Stick!
It is most aggravating to have one's faceplate loosen or leak before the regular time to change it. Sometimes finding the reason for the problem may be just as aggravating. First, look to anything that can cause a change in the texture of the skin. If the problem has occurred since you have started taking vitamin pills or certain medications, this may be the cause of the problem. Any subtle change in the skin can cause change in adhesion. Excessively oily skin can cause less adhesion. Wiping the skin around the stoma with alcohol before applying the faceplate sometimes helps. Be sure the alcohol does not contain glycerin as this kind of alcohol can hinder adhesion. The moisture from excessive perspiration can undermine the adhesive. A cotton appliance cover is great for soaking up perspiration (it can also soak up moisture from a leak). The dry skin of winter can also be a problem. A humidifier may be helpful. If you can afford only one room humidifier, keep it in the bedroom. Also, make sure your fluid intake is adequate. A change in weight, either gain or loss, can cause a change in contour of the abdomen, which will affect adhesion. Keeping one's weight constant is the best solution. Remember new ostomates, especially if you were ill a long time and suffered significant weight loss, it may take you a while to return to a weight that is normal for you. Also, your skin is in the process of adjusting to constantly wearing an appliance and it may take it awhile for it to toughen up. Stoma size may change significantly within the first year, having the tendency to shrink as the body heals. Keep in touch with your ET to ensure your pouch is the correct fit. One more caution to keep in mind is that there may be a time when your body no longer tolerates its current appliance, no matter how successful it had been before. But have no fear, the market is inundated with products and surely there is something else that will suit you just as well. Let's be glad we are ostomates in the 90's who have the luxury of choice and variety of appliances rather than in the 60's and before, when choice was much more limited. Skin rash is a common happening for many ostomates at one time or another. If it clears quickly, it usually doesn't cause any problems with the adhesiveness of the faceplate. However, if it becomes "weepy or oozy" the adhesive will not stick and the rash must be dried up as soon as possible.
Via Spacecoast Shuttle and Hamilton Osto-Info Jan 2002, via Inside Out On-line Mar/Apr 03.
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