An important aspect in cleaning skin problems is keeping a seal. To keep a pouch on irritated skin, it is necessary to have dry skin first. When the skin is irritated, it does not remain dry and cannot be dried with a cloth. A basic method of drying the skin includes a warm heat lamp or hair dryer. “Heat lamp” refers to any type of lamp with a maximum 25-watt bulb placed at least one foot away from the stoma and allowed to shine for only 10 minutes. You will find a desk lamp good to use. Cover the stoma itself with a piece of damp tissue or cloth to prevent a drying effect directly to it.
NEVER USE A SUN LAMP. THIS IS AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT and will burn your skin. If you have had radiation therapy to the skin around your stoma do not use any lamp or light to dry your skin. A hair drier, of less than 850 watts may be used if there is a cool setting.
If you find you need to purchase any new skin products listed under remedies, it would be advisable first to call your ET nurse for suggestions. You may be familiar with the use of one or two products from your hospitalization. If you are comfortable using them, go ahead.
Rash can be located under the tape, under the faceplate and on any part of the skin where the pouch comes into contact with the skin. A generalized reddish appearance that covers an entire area, similar to a diaper rash, will be seen. It is caused by a leaking appliance; perspiration; allergies to tape, and hair follicle irritation.
To remedy, use a hair dryer to dry the skin; sprinkle a small amount of powder (karaya, Stomahesive) on the skin, wipe off the excess, then blot with a skin sealant to seal the powder to the skin; powder the skin on which the pouch lies (not under the face plate); make or buy a cover. Wearing a pouch belt too tight may break the seal; and if the rash does not dear up in two to three days, consult an ET nurse.
Ulcerated areas on stoma can appear anywhere on stoma because the stoma opening of the pouch was too small and/or activities were causing the faceplate to nib or cut into stoma.
To remedy, enlarge the size of the pouch opening. (Opening should be at least one-eighth inch larger than stoma.) Evaluate your activities; you may need a different size or shaped face plate; loosen your belt; if too tight, the belt may cause the face plate to press into the stoma; if this does not dear up in two to three days, consult an ET nurse.
Infected or irritated hair follicles under the faceplate, raised red areas (similar to acne) at the shaft of the hair follicle, are caused by not keeping the area under the faceplate shaved. To remedy this, you must let the irritation improve before removing any more hair by shaving or cutting. Use a hair dryer and/or very low heat lamp to dry the skin if oozing is present. Use a skin barrier between skin and pouch adhesive until irritation improves. If irritation doesn’t clear in two to three days, consult your ET nurse.
Weeping skin can prevent a pouch or a skin barrier from adhering to the skin for long periods. If your skin is severely irritated and weeping it may be necessary to change your pouch more frequently, to prevent leaking and further damage. The hair under your faceplate should be removed by an electric razor or safety razor.
