Summer 2007
Page 4
The Swollen Stoma
It can be pretty scary to have your stoma swell for any reason and not be able to get your appliance off over it for fear of doing damage. An appliance that hugs the stoma too tightly may cause it (stoma) to swell. A fall or a hard blow or slipping appliance may cause the stoma to swell.
Rather than risk further damage to the stoma by pulling the appliance off over it, try filling your pouch with ice water and letting it swirl around the stoma to decrease the swelling. Ease the appliance off carefully. Replace it with an appliance that has a larger opening until all swelling is gone.
It is a good idea to keep a couple of appliances with larger openings around for such emergencies.
SOURCE: MAOG, Memphis, Loraine Co. Chapter and Re-Route; Evansville, IN; South Brevard FL; Metro Halifax News, May 2007, via Inside Out On-line Summer 2007.
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