The skin around your stoma is called peristomal skin. It is important to keep this area clean and protected from stoma output. Some routine stoma care tips can help you keep your peristomal skin healthy.
The best way to clean the skin around your stoma is to use warm water and a washcloth, or soft paper towels. The use of gauze or gloves is not needed.
It involves washing out your colon with water either every day or every other day. To do this, you gently insert a small device into your stoma and attach it to a bag full of water. You slowly move water into your colon so it washes it out.
We would recommend keeping the area around your stoma clean by washing with just warm water. Soaps and fragranced body washes can often contribute to skin irritation. Avoid using baby wipes as they tend to leave an oily residue on your skin which will prevent your pouch from getting a really good seal with your skin.
To clean it, simply use tap water and soft medical wipes or soft cotton wool. The stoma and the skin around it doesn't need soap for cleansing, and in fact, soap could irritate it - as could baby wipes.
The easiest way to clean your stoma site is to gently wash it with warm water using the dry wipes provided and then pat dry thoroughly using a clean dry wipe. Avoid using paper towels as these can get stuck to the stoma, always use dry cotton wipes.
Red or sore skin around your stoma is usually caused by leakage from your pouch and the output from your stoma getting underneath the appliance and onto your skin. It is important to regularly evaluate the skin around your stoma.
Many people enjoy leaving their skin uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes after taking their pouching system off. This is called a skin break. Taking a skin break can help with irritation or keep it from happening. You can decide if you want to take a skin break.
If your skin is wet and bumpy
Dark and moist areas are particularly prone to fungal infections, so the most effective prevention is to keep the peristomal skin clean and dry when changing the pouch.
You can bathe or shower with or without wearing your pouching system. Normal exposure to air or water will not harm or enter your stoma. If you're showering without your pouch, remove the skin barrier too. Try to create a routine that coincides with when you're due for a pouch change.
To clean the skin around the stoma, just use water on soft paper towels. Do not use baby wipes, oils, powders, ointments, or lotions on the skin around the stoma unless directed to do so.
The first sign of a stoma infection may be a pus-like discharge, unusual swelling, increasing redness, or color changes. Some may notice an abscess or an ulcer. A Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (WOCN) or your doctor will be the best source for medical advice on this issue.
Cleanliness is one of the most important aspects when adjusting to life with a stoma. Once you've pushed the stool into the toilet, take some toilet paper and clean the inside and outside of the opening. Flushable wipes are very good to use in this instance, as they'll help eliminate any unsightly odor.
Mucus-discharge is a common part of having any type of stoma. Mucus is produced by the lining of the bowel to help with the passage of stools. The lining of the bowel will continue to produce mucus after stoma surgery, even though it is not needed anymore.
The skin around your stoma should look just like the skin on the other side of your abdomen, or anywhere else on your body. The skin around the stoma should be intact without irritation, rash, or redness. A properly fitting skin barrier protects the skin from being irritated or damaged by the stoma drainage.
Some common complications of stoma include poor siting, parastomal hernia (PH), prolapse, retraction, ischemia/necrosis, peristomal dermatologic problems, mucocutaneous separation, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Each will be discussed separately in further detail.
For any sore or itchy patches calamine lotion can help or a barrier of cream/spray such as Cavilon. Make sure that these are fully dry before trying to reapply your pouch. Be careful of which creams you apply as some may affect your pouches ability to stick.
The dry air can make your airways produce mucus. The mucus can collect around your stoma and get crusty. To protect your stoma and your airways, try to avoid: extreme temperatures.
The best position to sleep in when you have a stoma is on your back, or on your side. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, this will be fine at the beginning of the night but increases the chances of leaks as the night progresses and your bag fills.
Infections around a stoma are rare, but can happen for various reasons so it is essential to have a good skin care regime in order to maintain healthy skin. Check your stoma and skin regularly each time you change your stoma appliance, which will help identify any new issues if they arise.
If the stoma does not protrude above the skin, the stool may get under the pouch seal and cause leakage. A convex pouching system can provide some pressure around the stoma to force output to get into the pouch and not under the skin barrier seal.
It is important that you rest following your surgery. You do not need to remain in bed though and it is also important to remain mobile to aid your recovery. Just take it slow and don't expect to be able to go straight back into your normal routine. It takes around 8 weeks to feel fully recovered from stoma surgery.
Water works best for cleaning the skin around your stoma. Don't forget to wash your hands after emptying or changing your pouch. When you do need soap, it is best to use a mild product that won't leave behind film or residue, which can get in the way of how well your skin barrier adheres.