If you develop itching or a rash or become sensitive to your adhesive, talk to your doctor or ostomy nurse to help you clear up your skin irritation problem. Individual body chemistry differs, so do manufacturer's formulas for skin barrier adhesives.
If your adhesive is not giving you a good seal, ask for help in finding one that does. A poor seal may let urine leak onto the skin. If your pouch begins to leak, change it immediately. Some people with urostomies have a high incidence of complications, some occurring after 10 to 12 years. Most complications are gradual.
The most common, by far, is caused by an ill-fitting pouch. Urine that accumulates on the skin around the base of the stoma may become reddish brown, with raised, thick, leather-like areas. It is important to have a faceplate or pouch opening that fits up to the stoma to prevent this and other long-term complications. The extended wear barriers made today are designed especially for people with urostomies actually to gently touch the stoma, turtleneck around it thus providing an excellent seal.
If the reddish brown growth is extremely bad, it may be treated with soaks of white vinegar three times a day for three or four days. Vitamin C, taken according to the directions on the bottle, may also be helpful to acidify the urine. Alkaline urine on the skin is irritating. If these measures are not successful, a revision of the stoma is an alternative.
Encrustation or sand-like deposits on or around the stoma are another complication. At each pouch change, check your stoma for color shape and function. Watch for any stoma problems such as swelling, retraction, stenosis - narrowing of the outlet, prolapse - displacement of the stoma. Any stomal complications should be reported to your ostomy nurse.
Why? Herbal supplements can lead to medical complications and drug Interactions, especially during surgery. Eight supplements are mentioned specifically in the report - Echinacea, Ephedra, Garlic, Gingko, Ginseng, Kava, Valerian , and St. John's Wort. These can interfere with or increase the effects of other drugs, affect blood pressure or heart rhythm, or cause increased bleeding. The report recommends that patients discontinue and herbal remedies for from 24 hours to one week (depending on the specific herb) prior to undergoing surgery. It also recommends that doctors make a practice of asking their patients specifically about any herbal and prescribed medications they are taking.
