Why does stoma skin hurt?

Almost every friend with an ostomy will encounter skin problems in the early stages of postoperative care. When the skin around the stoma is itchy, stinging, damaged, red and swollen, or even exudates. It will make the already irritable heart after surgery even more troubled and uneasy.

Why does it cause pain?

Situation 1: The stoma chassis is cut too large

The chassis of the ostomy bag is cut too large, causing long-term contact of fecal fluid with the skin around the stoma, immersing it and irritating the skin, causing fecal aqueous dermatitis (irritant dermatitis)

Recommendation:

 Before cutting the stoma base, use stoma calipers to accurately measure the stoma. Mark and cut according to the size and shape of the stoma root. Try to keep a gap of about 2-3mm between the center hole of the stoma and the stoma nipple.

Notice:

1. The size of the stoma is not static. There will be edema in the early stage after the operation, and the size of the stoma may change later. Therefore, you need to measure and cut the appropriate center hole before changing the stoma bag. It is recommended to cut it every time you change it.

2. When cutting the center hole of the base plate, try to make the hole diameter about 2mm larger than the root of the stoma nipple. If it is too large, it may cause fecal dermatitis when the skin is exposed to contact with fecal fluid. If it is too small, it may cause friction and bleeding of the intestinal mucosa.

Situation 2: Violent removal of the stoma chassis damages the skin

suggestion:

1. When replacing the ostomy bag, remove the chassis gently and slowly to avoid violent removal and skin irritation. At the same time, you should choose an adhesive stripper for the stoma base that can help easily remove the base.

2. Ostomy bags do not need to be replaced every day. Generally, one-piece ostomy bags can be replaced every 2 to 3 days, and two-piece ostomy bags can be replaced every 3 to 5 days. However, the specific replacement time varies from person to person. Once it occurs, Leaks must be replaced immediately.

Be sure to pay attention to your skin condition. If you have skin problems, you can deal with them as follows:

①: Clean and wait to dry;

②: If the inflammation is obvious and the skin is damaged, you can disinfect it with iodophor. After disinfection, clean with saline or warm water again, remove the iodophor disinfectant, and wait until dry;

③: Apply ostomy powder evenly, and then wipe off the floating powder;

④: Skin protective agents or human body dressings can reduce skin irritation caused by excreta;

⑤: (For skin that already has problems, steps 3 and 4 can be repeated three times)

⑥: Then use anti-leakage cream, and finally wear an ostomy bag.

At the same time, the cause of leakage must be found. Preventing continued leakage is the key to dealing with skin problems.

As long as it is treated in time, skin problems will be solved easily

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Editor: kiki Jia

Date: October 11, 2023