A stoma hurts when touched mainly due to irritation or damage to the surrounding skin (peristomal skin) from leaks, infections (like fungus), inflammation (folliculitis), or growths (granulomas); the stoma itself doesn't have nerves, so pain signals come from the irritated skin or underlying tissue issues like hernias, requiring you to contact your stoma nurse to find the cause, often a poor pouch fit or product sensitivity, and get proper treatment.
Most people with a stoma occasionally experience minor problems that can cause discomfort, e.g. leakages leading to sore skin, granulomas or blockages. Pain is a clear sign that something is wrong. So listen to your body and seek help from your stoma care nurse or GP in the first instance.
Alongside my fluids and painkillers, I find it helpful to massage the area around my stoma because any help in getting things moving is a huge help. I also had a bath in hot water, high enough to cover my stomach, and later used a hot water bottle.
There is no sensation in the stoma so it is not painful to touch. The stoma can bleed a little when you clean it, especially in the beginning, but this is quite normal and should stop shortly afterwards.
You may start to feel waves of cramping and pain, which may worsen if the problem is not resolved. Some self-help tips include stopping eating solids but increase your fluid intake. Drinking warm drinks can also help stimulate the bowel. Having a bath may ease the abdominal pain.
Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water. Reduce your intake of coffee, tea and alcohol as these can make the pain worse. When you are allowed to eat again, start with clear liquids, then progress to bland foods such as crackers, rice, bananas or toast. Your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods.
If the skin around the stoma does not appear to be similar to the skin on rest of your abdomen, it is likely that you have a skin issue that needs to be addressed. The skin barrier should protect your skin. If the skin is irritated (red, moist, or sore to the touch), the pouch seal can fail and leakage.
Your belly may be sore, and you will probably need pain medicine for a week or two. Your stoma will be swollen at first. This is normal. You may have very loose stools in your colostomy bag for a while.
It's worth taking time to find a mattress that will give you the right support especially as your sleeping position may well be different with a stoma. Generally the advice is to sleep either on your side (the opposite one to your stoma) or on your back.
While stoma hernias aren't usually an emergency, they can get worse over time and they don't go away by themselves, so make sure you see your healthcare professional. Your stoma nurse will be able to provide you with reassurance and tips to help you manage any symptoms that your hernia is causing.
If you notice any of the following, call your doctor immediately: Your stoma changes color from pink/red to purple/black. Your stoma opening is bleeding excessively. Bleeding between your stoma and skin that won't stop.
There are no nerves in the stoma, so there is no feeling. Be sure to clean and dry the stoma gently. You could injure the stoma without knowing it. The stoma may bleed a little when you clean it.
Here is a list of the most common stoma problems people face. They are usually related to leaks, skin irritation/sore skin, diarrhoea/loose stools, ballooning, hernias, prolapses and a few of the less common problems which may occur for some.
If you are using a closed bag, you may be changing it 1-3 times a day, it varies from person to person. For those with a drainable bag, particularly with a urostomy or ileostomy, you may be changing it daily or even every other day.
Disability is not about whether you can walk a certain distance or have fully functioning limbs. Whether or not you feel disabled or class yourself as disabled, in the eyes of the law living with a stoma does class you as having a disability.
It is fine to have a bath or shower with your stoma bag on, if you prefer. Remember that the adhesive is designed to actually stick more tightly when exposed to water, so it may be better to change your bag before you bathe or shower.
Aim: Anecdotally, many ostomates believe that eating marshmallows can reduce ileostomy effluent. There is a plausible mechanism for this, as the gelatine contained in marshmallows may thicken small bowel fluid, but there is currently no evidence that this is effective.
Most people change their pouching system about every three to four days because the adhesive starts to wear at that time. So you should expect to change your pouch about twice a week. And remember, if you're emptying your pouch, when it's a third to a half full, which could be several times a day, about four to six.
Skin irritation around your stoma is usually caused by leakage from your ostomy pouch and the output from your stoma getting underneath the adhesive and onto your skin. It is uncomfortable and can stop your pouch from working well. The skin around your stoma should look similar to the skin on the rest of your body.
Most people with stomas may have to go through a stoma infection. However, it is a possibility that anyone with a stoma should know about it. The first sign of a stoma infection may be a pus-like discharge, unusual swelling, increasing redness, or color changes.
Certain foods may get stuck in the narrowed part of the colon or ileum and cause an obstruction (blockage). These same foods could also make the stoma swollen and irritated. An obstruction is more likely to happen with an ileostomy than with a colostomy. Drinking extra fluids can help prevent an obstruction.
When to seek medical advice. Contact your stoma nurse, GP or healthcare team if: the skin around your stoma becomes red, sore, or broken. you notice a change in the size, shape, or colour of the stoma.
Pancaking happens when there is a vacuum in the stoma bag and the bag sticks together. This stops the output from dropping to the bottom of the bag and can block the filter. There is then a risk that the pouch will be pushed off the abdomen and cause a leak.