Tips about what skin protectant and stoma powder do

[Shamrock4806]

Okay I've learned a few things about skin protectant and stoma powder which can help others.

Skin Protectant acts as an extra adhesive to bond the wafer or paste or a ring better to the skin. Why other things used in lieu of skin protectant may not work as it's not designed to work in that fashion.

Stoma powder is a drying agent used strictly on wet oozing type wounds and if used on healthy skin or very thin wounds, will dry the skin out and itch much like using regular soap around the stoma will. So if I get stoma powder on healthy skin I use a bit of water on a piece of toilet paper to wipe the healthy skin clear and blow dry well. Another thing I learned is if the thin wound can be surface dried, like it's a very little and lite burn that isn't oozing fluid, then avoid the stoma powder and just use a blow dryer and test for dryness with ones finger. If it remains dry then it's good, but if it remains slightly wet then use stoma powder followed by spray skin protectant.

Adhesives won't bond to a dusty surface, why spray skin protectant if used to lock the stoma powder down onto the skin, as long as it's one grain high, else more coats of spray skin protectant may be needed. Skin Protectant wipes are good for areas without stoma powder as not to wipe it off. It's important to allow 30+ seconds for skin protectant to dry thoroughly.

Adhesive needs clean, dry, not oily, greasy or dusty skin to bond to, or a good application of skin protectant.

It's also important not to use anything on the skin under the wafer that can either be trapped (alcohol) or dry out the skin. To wash with only water and a washcloth to maintain the natural skin lubrication balance. If it gets out of whack then either severe itching or the wafer can detach.

To restore natural skin lubrication balance if it's too dry, what I do is rub in hair conditioner into the skin and then gently wash the surface of the skin off using a little moisturizer soap. Dry skin could be the result of diet, so I eat more creamy peanut butter (nuts can clog) and the skin usually oils itself up good after that.

If the application of an ointment was used it obviously needs to be moisturizer soap washed off. Many people tend to go crazy in their leak wounds applying stuff and wonder why they remain. The skin will heal all by itself as long as the attacks by the digestive enzymes (ileostomy here) stop and that won't happen without a good barrier bond to the skin.

If you leak burns are severe, consider quitting coffee. Caffeine anything causes diarrhea and with coffee flushes more acidic output than the normal 8 pH of regular output.

I always apply my paste or ring to the skin first as to ensure it's sticking for one and to ensure the skin is adequately covered. If it's not working or a sudden discharge ruins things, at least a wafer isn't included.

Another trick is one has a fungal infection under their wafer (you'll know because you'll may want it stick a stick in there to scratch it) is to substitute athletes antifungal foot powder instead of stoma powder. Then lock it down with spray protectant like usual.

So enjoy the little tips and tricks!

[meady61]

Just a couple of things I’ve picked up: skin protectant really helps with adhesion, so make sure you apply it to dry skin and let it dry for about 30 seconds before putting anything on. As for stoma powder, it's great for oozing wounds, but yeah, it can dry out healthy skin, so be careful with that. A little water on a wipe helps if it gets on clean skin. And definitely avoid using anything greasy or dusty under your wafer – clean, dry skin is key for a good bond.