Ostomy Skin Care

When living with an ostomy, you may or may not realize how important it is to take care of the skin around your stoma. This area is called peristomal skin and often skin-related issues around this area may go unnoticed. Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early, as well as maintaining healthy skin in this area could help avoid greater complications and make for a stress-free experience with your ostomy. Here are some ostomy skin care products that we carry at Ostomy Care Canada.

Why is it important to maintain healthy skin?

If the skin around your stoma becomes damaged, it could be painful and lead to infection. It also becomes more difficult for the skin barrier of your pouching system to adhere to your skin. Prevention is the key to maintaining both healthy peristomal skin and your comfort.

What are common causes of peristomal skin damage?

• Leakage: Healthy skin exposed to fecal or urine output under the skin barrier can breakdown fast.
• Pressure: Belts and some clothing may cause pressure on the stoma area.
• Stoma size: Ensure the skin barrier is cut to the right size. It should always fit closely around your stoma (1-2mm larger) to protect against leakage.
• Skin folds or creases, may prevent the skin barrier from sticking securely to your stomach and result in leakage. A different shaped product may be required if your stoma is flush or retracted.
• Skin stripping or friction by removing an skin barrier too quickly can pull the top layers of skin away. The more frequent it happens, the more the skin can be irritated.
• Pouching system: If the red or irritated area of the skin is the same shape as the skin barrier, you may have developed an allergy or sensitivity.