What to do about sweat underneath flange

[JerryR]

After many years of trouble-free flange use, this year I've started to get skin irritation underneath the flange. To be clear, it is not adjacent to the stoma and does not involve any leakage from the stoma. When I change my flange, the itchy area is a patch of skin that is slightly moist. After I shower I always make sure all the skin that is going to be under the new flange is nice and dry. So I'm thinking what is happening is that there is some moisture from sweat which dissolves a little bit of the adhesive, not enough to cause flange failure, but enough for rubbing of the skin against the flange in that small area which causes the itchiness. It's just a theory at this point. The itchy area is always in the same place - in the quadrant on my right and below the level of the stoma.

I use Convatec Durahesive flanges without the tape collar. I change them every two days, sometimes every day in an attempt to lessen the itchiness.

I see that Convatec makes a flange with a tape collar. Can someone with experience with these talk about what they are like? Are they breathable, unlike the flanges without the tape collar? Might they help?

I've tried various combinations of powder and skin barrier spray but have not had improvement with those.

Thanks.

[texazgal]

Been thinking on this today, not sure what you are experiencing is sweat. I'm wondering if you may be getting allergic to the barriers. I had a similar problem with Hollister, but it was the tape version causing trouble. Switched to the nontaped barrier and all has been well. Is the skin also red along with the itch? Most likely, if it is, this is allergic reaction. This is why I am such an advocate of using more than one type of barrier and rotating them. If you can find 2 or more that work for you, it becomes less of a trauma when one stops working right. I have 3 I use now and one of them is the Convatec durahesive with the tape that you asked about. I love this system and have used it for most of my 15 years with an ostomy. The tape edge varies from 3/4" to about 1 1/3" at corners. It seems like it can breathe as it's like paper with tiny holes, yet it stays stuck thru several showerings and I get at least a week's wear from one. Recommend you get samples and try this one.

[JerryR]

Thanks for you ideas, texazgal. The skin does get a little red sometimes, but only where it seems like the skin and flange is damp. I would have expected an allergic skin reaction to happen all over, but then again I know little about skin allergies. Maybe the dampness facilitates a reaction? In any case, it seems worth it to try the Convatec with tape, and also get some samples of some other brands.

For years and year, I was able to go 7 days without changing either the flange or the pouch. Then at some point the pouches would start to get a weird smell after two or three days. I'm not sure whether it was some change in diet or Convatec changed the material. Anyway, for a few years now two days has been my standard wear time.

Thanks again!

[xctm1]

Jerry, Sorry to hear about your issues. I have had my ileostomy for about 15 yrs now and have had some issues but fortunately nothing major. I use Cymed Micro Skin, one piece, precut to opening size and get 6-7 days per bag. I had an issue about a strange smell a few years ago and it even led to discussions with the mfg. It came to be that my PCM was having me take a bunch of fish oil capsules and somehow that was causing the odd smell. I don't know the process/procedure you use but I always remember what my first WOC nurse said, "Paste is your friend, always use a lot." Anyway, good luck, Larry

[susan f]

Could it be a yeast infection? That is more likely to be patchy. Have you talked to a WOCN?