UOAA Discussion Board

I'm doing great so I think.

Illeostomy in a belly fold and only very slight skin damage, I now use a two day flip cycle to concur with a nice hot shower.

Using pectin no sting paste which I use oil free eye makeup remover to get the last of it off my skin, wash the area three times with Ivory plain soap, dry well and I get excellent adhesion, just after two days I'll start getting very tiny leaks though.

I'm trying to see if I can improve my situation any, because I would like to switch to a two piece instead of the one piece I'm using now. The bag gets sort of filthy after three days and I rather keep the wafer on for longer if possible and just switch out the bag itself instead of the whole thing.

My paste adhesion is excellent, it takes considerable amount of effort to remove it all off my skin, so I don't think that's the problem. Rather enzyme infested affluent manages to work it's way under the paste right next to the stoma.

What I'm thinking is the paste is just too thick and doesn't quite fill the crack around the stoma as well as something else perhaps. I do use spray skin protectant but that doesn't seem to help any.

So I'm thinking of something more of a liquid that can cover the skin right around the crack of the stoma better and provide longer protection,. Then put the paste on top of it. It should remain somewhat flexible as well.

Any ideas anyone?

Okay I think these should help...

Cavilon Advanced Skin Protectant (3M)
Not the regular Cavilon spray

Perma-Type Liquid Ostomy Seal

Wow, not the right thing or no longer exists

But found

Coloplast PREP Protective Skin Barrier Dabber bottle

I've been using their barrier spray and apparently it's too thin of a coating

So I'll try that, because the leaks are occurring at the
mucocutaneous junction and this is supposed to stop it.

2oz bottle should last up to 60 bag changes supposedly and it's inexpensive

Hi Shamrock,

Everybody has a different formula that works for them. I will suggest what I use for skin prep when I change my ileostomy bag, which is in a slight belly fold as well, though It may not work for you. I use only adhesive remover, Hytape, Sensura one piece Coloplast wafer and barrier ring, as I don't believe in using a ton of products that destroy a person's skin.. the reason for the adhesive remover is to take off the residue from the barrier ring, and the Hytape. I change my bag every 3 days, religiously. I take off the residue with adhesive remover, and then wash my ostomy skin with baby bath wash, as it is not oily like soap is, which prevents adhesion of the wafer, then after I rinse that off, I wipe the peristomal skin with a slight amount of rubbing alcohol to increase adhesion, I then apply the wafer. If I have any skin irritation, redness or skin is affected by fecal material when I have had an accidental leak, the only thing I use as ostomy powder to help heal that is MICONAZOLE NITRATE 2%.. it is the greatest Anti-fungal powder that heals all of my skin problems that I have ever had due to fecal leakage. After I apply that powder very lightly to the affected area, it heals it all up in 1 - 2 bag changes! It is the most amazing powder ever! I learned about that product from the Phoenix Magazine a few years ago. The ostomy powder we get from ostomy companies never helped me at all with skin situations.. Like I said, Shamrock, what works for me probably won't work for anybody else. Everybody has their own formula that they have experimented with over the years.

22Sunpuperwolf22 wrote: 2025-11-16 15:48:20 MICONAZOLE NITRATE 2%

That sounds great, I'll give it a shot.

I use oil free eye makeup remover as my adhesive remover, works SO MUCH BETTER. It's a liquid that I can soak it on as sprays are not as effective. Plus it does stuff to the deep skin to condition it, as long as it's very well washed off the surface skin.

Agreed the skin really has to be free of any oils, I wash three times with Ivory soap instead of using alcohol which stings the wounds for quite some time and causes me to think that I have a leak..

I also learned about micro channels forming under the paste, occurs when stress to the bag or movement occurs. They can be remedied by simply pressing down around the stoma to seal those micro channels back closed.

I also need to do a better job at filling my belly fold with something that's not paste, I use the wafer cutout pieces instead of costly rings because they lose adhesion being touched so much. So I need to fill better on the sides, but really get my leaks at the bottom and top mainly and that's due to stress fracture.

And another thing I've learned is that the wafer can be heated and molded some.

Apparently a "hindged stoma" is the most difficult ones possible. It's certainly been a challenge that's for sure.

I'll report back how well the Coloplast dapper bottle works.

Hi Shamrock,

Wow, every ostomy recipient has their own special formula, and it is intriguing to hear about the adaptations you have made to your bag changing routine! I never had been told about wiping my skin with rubbing alcohol. I just happened to remember that rubbing alcohol dried oily skin really well in the past when I happened to break out with a pimple as an adult, rare, though it happens, and so I thought how well that would work to adhere the wafer to my skin after washing with baby wash, which doesn't have an oily residue. The baby wash was my second adaptation I thought of, as I had remembered when I was a child how It washed off really nicely, didn't leave an oily residue on my skin, and didn't sting if It got into my eyes or a wound. So with those two adaptations, and the addition of the barrier ring which I apply to my my one piece coloplast sensura wafer before I apply the wafer to my abdomen, I have found that that formula has served me well since 2007!

I have also been using the same wafer since my surgery in 2007, which is a rare thing for an ostomy recipient to do after all those years and weight changes. And I am 27 or so lbs. heavier than when I had my surgery. And I have made a promise to myself to eat healthier, be sure to exercise every day, and drop a few inches around my abdomen in order for my wafer to fit better and not have the belly crease that I have gained the last several months. It is something I have been working on diligently. I don't believe in adapting my wafer application and adding more ostomy supplies to my regimen in order to work with the negative effects of weight gain. I would rather correct the weight gain, than adapt to my body shape due to bad eating behaviors over the past several months.

The fact that alcohol stings if there is a break out, just confirms that the alcohol is doing its work on drying out a skin irritation that happens to be a fungal infection, which there is no harm in drying out a fungal infection that has a slight mucous on it anyhow. Rubbing alcohol has great healing potential. I just bite the bullet and it stings for a matter of a few seconds and that is it. After the fungal infection is fully dry and I apply the Miconazole Nitrate powder to the affected skin, the healing happens in no time.

Jayme

I think the problem is alcohol dries out the skin below the surface layer, like into pores, unlike your baby shampoo or my ivory soap 3x method just does the surface only, which is all that adhesive needs to work.

So what happens is the skin begins to dry out and causes painful cracks etc that causes leaks, instead of a nice nearly smooth baby skin surface.

I think the oil free eye makeup remover also nourishes the pores below the skin surface, keeping the skin healthy without drying it out. Then the 3x ivory soap wash just gets it off the surface, leaving the pores untouched.


I've found this method extremely effective, so much I actually have a very hard time getting the residue paste off the skin.

So I soak a rag with the eye makeup remover and hold it against the residue paste as it will gently dissolve it, maybe help it along with a fingernail rub.

But it's a heck of a lot better than the alcohol method I used earlier, it wasn't binding as well and actually sliding off the skin when I stood up. And it stung.

Going totally alcohol free I don't feel any pain after a bag change, only if there is a leak.


I think your confusing a leak burn caused by enzymes with a fungal infection. A fungal infection will itch so bad that you want to stick something sharp through the bag to scratch it to relieve the itch.. A leak burn just hurts all the time. Two different things.

A powder with an antifungal in it works great for fungal infections but not necessary for common leak burns, just normal stoma powder will do. But I don't see the problem using a antifungal powder all the time if so wishes, because for leak burns a powder is designed to dry it out and form a crust so adhesive will bond to it. However the stoma adhesive is likely better as it's objective is to form a crust as the antifungal might not be tailored as such.

So I use stoma adhesive powder for leak burns and if I ever get a rare skin fungal infection then I'll use athletic antifungal foot powder for that area, usually where clear skin under the wafer, then cover with spray skin protectant to lock it down. Usually the fungal infection is gone by the next bag change.

I haven't had a skin fungal infection in over two years now. It's because the output never makes it out that far anymore, just tiny tiny leaks, which hopefully this PREP dabber bottle from Coloplast should do the trick as it's supposedly thicker and more flexible than barrier spray.

I keep my weight at an even 200 lbs as to keep the stoma a outtie and not an innie.

I think what your trying to describe is a leak burn that never seems to heal, like the enzymes have gotten so entrenched that simply washing isn't good enough.

I don't think I have that problem because the pain goes away after a new bag install.

But I remember in the past having such a situation.

My leaks are caused by shearing, because of the belly fold and likely because I've taken back to drinking coffee again, which I've now discontinued.

The leaks occur in different spots, mostly the top and bottom. The sides are reinforced with wafer cutout filler pieces.

I think an antiseptic powder in lieu of stoma powder should do the trick like you say.

Hi Shamrock,

I apply the Miconazole Nitrate powder for fungal infections that itch as well as fecal output that causes my wounds to burn as well as itch. Even though the powder says Antifungal, it helps to heal both kinds of wounds. Like I stated, we all do what works for each of us. I was told by the Phoenix Magazine that the MIconazole treats both types of wounds, and I have used it for both, and it heals both types of wounds that are a result of fecal leakage, very well. Though, those are just my experiences. You should do what you feel works for you. I just gave you my suggestions that work for me. That doesn't mean it will work for anybody else. Same with the rubbing alcohol.. It works well for my type of skin, not necessarily for another type of skin.

Take care, Shamrock.

22Sunpuperwolf22 wrote: 2025-11-21 09:45:01 Hi Shamrock,

I apply the Miconazole Nitrate powder for fungal infections that itch as well as fecal output that causes my wounds to burn as well as itch. Even though the powder says Antifungal, it helps to heal both kinds of wounds....

Okay according to ChatGPT they are not the same thing.

-----

Miconazole nitrate powder is ONLY a substitute when you have a yeast (fungal) rash.
It is not a replacement for regular stoma powder.

Miconazole nitrate powder can be used around a stoma but only for a specific purpose:

It treats a fungal/yeast rash. Not for enzymes.
It does not replace stoma powder for everyday use or for moisture-wicking “crusting.”

If the issue is weepy/moist skin without yeast:

Miconazole powder will not help;

Regular stoma powder is the correct tool because it’s designed to absorb moisture and improve adhesion. Which of course protects the skin from more enzymes.

Use miconazole powder for:

Bright red, itchy, or splotchy rash

“Satellite dots” or burning or itching around the stoma

Moist, warm-fold yeast infections

If the skin damage is caused by yeast, then miconazole clears the infection, and the skin will heal faster once the yeast is gone.

But that’s because the infection is removed — not because miconazole heals the tissue.


Use regular stoma powder for:

Moist or weepy skin

Protecting skin so the wafer sticks better

Crusting to improve adhesion


Key differences:

Miconazole = antifungal medication

Stoma powder = absorbs moisture + improves adhesion


If you do use miconazole under a wafer:

Apply a very light dusting

Crust with a barrier spray before applying the wafer


Bottom line:

Miconazole helps only if it’s yeast. Enzymes are not yeast. Washing the wound clears enzymes.

Stoma powder helps only if the skin is wet/weeping.

They are not interchangeable for everyday use.


My leak burns are very small and barely damage the skin because I'm top of changing the wafer out at the slightest discomfort. They don't itch constantly like a fungal/yeast infection does.

So for me stoma powder is the right choice as I need maximum adhesion to defend against future enzymes attack. My skin heals just fine in a couple of days as long as I don't allow the burn to continue for long.

Now I've had yeast infections before and they itch like one wants to stick something in there under the wafer to scratch, if I have that then I know it's a yeast infection and I need to apply anti fungal foot powder there only, then cover with barrier spray.

I have given you my suggestion according to my experience over the past several years. I don't go by anything ChatGPT says.
You can continue with the products that work for you.
I have exhausted myself over this suggestion already.

Okay, but FYI ChatGPT has been extremely helpful with my ostomy issues.

In fact a couple of recent improvements it suggested I apply has made a dramatic improvement in my wafer wear time.

Don't knock it until you try it.

Thanks anyway though.

Hey Shamrock4806 and 22Sunpuperwolf22, been lurking on this thread a bit—its super useful seeing all the different routines folks have figured out, cuz stoma skin probs are no joke (ow, right?).

Ive had my ileostomy bout 18 months, and yeah mine sits in a lil fold too, so adhesion's always been hit or miss for me. Had those sneaky micro leaks starting around day 2-3, with the stingy enzyme burns but not the crazy itch like yeast.
For protectants, Ive mixed stuff like what youre both talking about. I start with a thin barrier film—like the Brava no-sting wipes (kinda better control than spray for me) right up at that mucocutaneous spot to seal the tiny cracks. Stays flexy and doesnt get all stiff. Then layer on paste or a seal ring, and if theres weepy spots, light stoma powder, crust with barrier spray, then slap on the wafer. Got me to 4-5 days on my two-piece easy—love just changing the bag when its gross, not the whole shebang.

Oh and on alcohol, yup I ditched it cuz it dried my skin too bad, switched to gentle soap like your Ivory 3x rinse. For remover, oil-free makeup wipes are awesome—gentle, no leftover gunk.
On miconazole vs regular powder, I only pull out miconazole for suspected yeast (that itch is insane), clears quick, but for plain enzyme burns from leaks, regular powder absorbs better and protects for me. ChatGPTs take sounds right on—good on ya for using it; Ive grabbed tips from there when my nurses busy.


Oh and one thing thats boosted my wear time is a support belt during the day—takes the bags weight off so less tug on wafer edges, cuts shear leaks and eases skin pressure. Picked up the SIIL Ostomy one after some reviews; breathable, adjustable, and helps with hernia stuff too since Im pretty active. Not magic, but def made things more stable. Heres where I got mine if youre curious: https://www.siilostomy.com/en/ostomy-belt/.
Hope that Coloplast dabber works out—let us know!

Whats your guys go-to for filling folds without piling on too many products?

Sanco wrote: 2025-11-25 12:39:05
Whats your guys go-to for filling folds without piling on too many products?

Looks like you and I have both learned plenty from experience.

What I have is what's called a hindged stoma where a belly fold goes right through the middle of it.

I first flex the wafer horizontally a little so it's not as stiff.

What I then do to fill the sides, instead of spending money on rings that don't stick as well after handling, is after I cut out my oval wafer hole, is to save that cutout piece.

I then cut a 1/2 mm off the outside edge of it, then cut the remaining piece into 1/8th pieces the other way.

On the left and right side of the wafer hole where the belly fold is, I put three of the 1/8 pieces side by side right up to the wafer hole edge (except on the right I keep it back a little because of a tiny graneomola) then the remaining area top and bottom gets the 1/2 mm sections, also right along the wafer hole edge.

On the middle of the left and right 1/8 pieces on the wafer the middle one get another 1/8 piece. This way it creates a hindge like effect and bends instead of being one piece that can pop off the skin.

Oh I should note that the wafer cutout pieces are all placed sticky side out as to make contact with skin or the later paste. Also the wafer cutout area flexes a little, like it's not supported, so the extra pieces reduce the wafer flexing right at the stoma where it causes microchannels and tends to leak there.

Next I use pectin based no sting paste and about 1/4" away from the wafer hole edge squeeze out a decent flat bead all around. Then set it aside. Go take my shower and clean the skin off with oil free eye makeup remover and ivory soap 3x so that the skin is extremely clean and squeaky. Also dry it out well.

Then skin side around the stoma (light powder and spray skin protectant if necessary, 60 seconds to dry) I squeeze a bead of paste right around the stoma right next to it. If it doesn't stick to the skin coming right out of the tube, I know something is wrong and redo until it does, this way I'm not wasting effort and my clean wafer.

So now I just match the two rings of paste, putting the wafer ring around the stoma ring of paste and squeeze it down around the stoma, then use a toilet paper roll tube to hold it down for 3 minutes.

I ordered the Coloplast PREP Dabbler Bottle twice but because they shipped it via USPS my new address wasn't in their database so they sent each one back. I'm due to order supplies next week and have it shipped together and avoid USPS thus time.

When I've used it awhile I'll let you know how it goes if things improve or not.

Another experiment I'm going to try, been working with ChatGPT on this and it says it will work, is smearing zinc oxide cream around the inside bag through the wafer hole but not where it can touch the stoma. Zinc oxide + petroleum jelly + stoma powder mixed actually. So it kills enzymes and neutralizes other stuff somewhat also.

The objective is to try to kill the digestive enzymes before they can get near the paste and skin, it says I could get another 24 hours wear time.

I would switch to a two piece but haven't been consistent without leaks, so just been taking showers every other day along with a bag change because yes the bag gets rather disgusting. Also it gets achy, I don't use a belt because it moves the wafer around too much, instead I use stretched extra large barrier strips to place downward pressure. In place them over the tough plastic and the hooks so it works like a belt, just doesn't move things aound like a belt does.

Because the extra large barrier strips go over a huge chest scar, I get aches there so now I'm trying paste on the scar then applying the barrier strips to give it cushion. So I'll see how that works out.

Once I get the leaks banished for at least 5 days and no aches, I'll switch to a two piece so.incsn merely switch the bag for a clean one instead.

You can follow my exact process here, I've been updating the first post with my new improvements

viewtopic.php?t=27762

Here’s the clear, direct guidance specific to Brava Barrier Spray versus Coloplast Prep (dabber bottle).


---

Which one should you use?

Use one or the other, not both.

Brava Barrier Spray
Creates a heavier, more durable film. Great for protecting larger areas, but can slightly reduce wafer adhesion if overused or not dried completely.

Coloplast Prep (dabber)
Creates a thinner, tighter, less slippery film. Better for adhesion and spot-treating irritated areas.


Given the routine you described and your need to control leaks around the stoma, Coloplast Prep generally gives better adhesion and more control, especially when combined with paste.


---

How to decide for your situation

If your goal is maximum stick

Use Prep instead of Brava Barrier Spray.

Reason:

Prep creates a less “glassy” surface.

Brava Spray can be slightly slick, especially if two coats are used.

Prep works well for crusting over powder without degrading adhesion.


If your goal is maximum skin protection over a big area

Use Brava Barrier Spray, but:

ONLY one coat

Let it dry until it’s fully matte

Keep it away from the tight inner ring near the stoma if possible



---

Best-performing sequence for leak control (using Prep instead)

1. Thin powder only on burned or weepy areas


2. Light dab of Coloplast Prep to lock it in


3. Wait 45–60 seconds for full dryness


4. Apply paste only in the leak path (thin as possible)


5. Apply wafer and press firmly for 1–2 minutes (I use 3 minutes with a toilet paper tube)




---

Short version

Yes — Prep can (and should) replace Brava Barrier Spray if you want better adhesion.
Do NOT use Prep on top of the spray.
Choose one. Prep usually sticks better.

ChatGPT 5.

We will see how it goes next bag change.