When living with an ostomy, it is important 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 and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater complications and make for a stress-free experience with your ostomy.
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?1,2
- Leakage: healthy skin exposed to fecalor urine out put 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 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: removing a 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.
What should healthy skin look and feel like to you?
Peristomal skin should look and feel no different than the skin on the rest of your stomach. Take a closer look. Use a mirror if it’s easier or take a picture with your mobile device, to check and track the health of your skin close-up. Once you know what healthy skin looks like, you can watch for signs of skin irritation.
Connect with your healthcare provider if you have questions about the skin around your stoma.
Featured products that may help with healthy skin
SUR-FIT Natura® ConvaTec Moldable Technology™ Skin Barrier
ESENTA™ Sting Free Adhesive Remover
ESENTA™ Sting-Free Skin Barrier
If you have questions about peristomal skin care and products that may help support healthy skin, contact the me+ team by requesting a sample today.
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Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater complications and make for a stress-free experience with your ostomy.
Read more1. O’Flynn SK. Preventing and solving peristomal skin problems. StomaTips. October 1, 2020. Accessed January 17, 2024. https://www.stomatips.com/features/article/preventing-and-solving-peristomal-skin-problems
2. Alvey B, Beck DE. Peristomal Dermatology. PMC PubMed Central: Clinics in colon and rectal surgery. February 2008. Accessed January 17, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2780183/