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Skin prep for ileostomy

Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2017 9:20 am
by Chickspeed
I am having some issues with leakage. Is there a good skin prep I can use to help protect my skin?

Re: Skin prep for ileostomy

Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2017 10:40 am
by Aqx99
Do you have access to an ostomy nurse? They can help you find a better system if your current one isn't working. That being said, I use ConvaTec AllKare protective barrier wipes every time I change my pouch. I also use a convex wafer, since my stoma is flush with my skin.

Re: Skin prep for ileostomy

Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2017 12:24 pm
by MissMolly
Chickspeed:
You likely have a temporary loop ileostomy. Know that this ostomy is the more difficult stoma to pouch successfully as compared to an end ileostomy or colostomy.

The best ostomy product to limit leaks is an adaptic ring- these go by the names of Ekin Cohesive Seal (by Convatech) and the Adapt Ring (by Hollister) and the Brava Ring (by Coloplast). An adaptive ring acts like a gasket in a water faucet. Very effective in minimizing dreaded leaks.

For skin protection I recommend Cavilon Liquid SkinPteo by Nexcare. It comes as a spray and as individual towelettes.

For advanced skin healing due to excoriation there is nothing better than Marathon Liquid Skin Protectant. Marathon is available on Amazon as is Cavilon.

Come over to the United Ostomy Association at www.ostomy.org

Re: Skin prep for ileostomy

Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2017 12:58 pm
by Chickspeed
I was told crusting will help with healing as well.

I use the following:
1st flovent (dr says it will help)
2nd stoma powder
3rd skin barrier spray

But I watched some youtube videos today that say use powder and skin prep pads to do crusting
but my output is unpredictabe.

Yes I have a temporary loop ileostomy

Re: Skin prep for ileostomy

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 5:20 am
by Sophy
Chickspeed

you have my sympathy, I know it is difficult to deal with an ostomy, both the physical and mental adjustment.

I found the cavillon wipes and spray helped and the powder was good too. I have a reaction to plasters and the glue on the bag caused a constant painful rash wherever it touched.

I read advice here to get a little time of ileostomy inaction by 'stunning it with marshmallows and peanut butter followed by a glass of iced water' which sounds crazy but it worked - I found could get me about 15 minutes for drying out my skin without a bag attached.

Good advice from Miss Molly to check out ostomy.org and though I realised after a few days that if I did need it to be permanent then I would be able to learn to live with it and in the meantime it was helping to save my life. It was also great to have for chemo - no constipation or diarrhoea problems.

Hoping that things will get easier for you
Sophy

Re: Skin prep for ileostomy

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:30 am
by MissMolly
Chickspeed:
Your surgeon's suggestion of a spray and spritz of Flovent is A-OK. Flovent is similar in action to Benadryl and will lessen skin inflammation due to irritation.

Skin irritation is more apt with a loop ileostomy due to the location of the stoma placement higher up the small intestine than an end ileostomy or colostomy. This means that the fecal output is more liquid in consistency and higher in caustic enzymes. Liquid output more easily undermines an ostomy wafer as a cause of dreaded leaks. Caustic digestive enzymes in contact with the skin are a source of genuine skin irritation and excoriation.

I highly recommend use of an Ekin Cohesive Seal (by ConvaTec) (or similar hydrocolloid ring by another manufacturer). The Ekin Cohesive Seal is a ring of hydrocolloid material that you can stretch and mold around the stoma. It acts like a gasket in a water faucet.

The Ekin Cohesive Seal is the Gold Standard in minimizing leaks. It is a go-to item for most people with an ileostomy and highly liquid fecal output.

The advice to visit with a stoma nurse or Wound Ostomy. CAre Nurse (WOCN) by Lisa is sound advice. There are a gazzilion ostomy products and your body and skin type and skin topography may do better with a different pouching system than the one you were sent home with. Hospitals tend to contract with one ostomy supply manufacturer in issuing products to new ostomy patients. You may find that there is a better "fit" of wafer and poaching system than what you were first issued by the hospital where you had your surgery. I was sent home with Hollister and switched gears to Coloplast and CyMed as my go to ostomy systems.

Finding what ostomy brand and products work best for you is an individual process. Working with a WOCN can be ever-so-helpful when you are new to an ostomy as they can narrow down product options and provide learned experience.

Another tip to lessen skin irritation: Do not pull the wafer away from the skin when removing. Pulling a wafer up and off of the skin damages the top epitheal layer of skin and leaves skin vulnerable to further damage. Instead, remove a wafer by pressing into the skin with your fingertips along the outer margin of the water, pressing down on the skin and pushing the skin away from the wafer. Work along the edge of the wafer, pushing the skin away from the wafer in small increments until the water is fully released.

You can also purchase sprays that loosen the heat-activated bond of the wager to the skin. A few sprays of a skin prep remover product and the wafer will fall off if the skin like Teflon. Skin prep remover sprays are sold under the manufacturer names of Torbot Skin Prep Remover and Safe 'n Simple Skin Prep remover. As the name implies, these spray formulations are designed to remove any accumulated build up of ostomy care product in the skin.

You are welcome to visit the United Ostomy Association forum and ask questions to seasoned ostomy veterans. Most people in the ostomy forum have permanent ostomies and years and years of experience - spanning an array of the common and the not-so-common stoma occurrences. The group also comes with a good sense of humor.

http://www.ostomy.org

Sending you best wishes for healthy and intact skin,
Karen

Re: Skin prep for ileostomy

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 1:39 pm
by sadysue
I used a no-sting skin prep. It worked great but unfortunately, I can't remember the manufacturer. It might have been convatec since I used a lot of their products. Good luck!