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If you're living with a stoma you may have found you seem to be prone to sore skin. This isn't unusual. Up to two thirds of ostomates can suffer from sore skin1. But just because it's common it doesn't have to be accepted. A sentiment Andrea Benn, Senior Medical Affairs Specialist at ConvaTec, strongly agrees with. She said: "Some ostomates can live with sore skin for years. They think it's part of having a stoma. But it isn't. Sore skin can be treated and more importantly prevented. And often it comes down to changing the stoma bag or even just the care routine."
It’s quite common for ostomates to settle into a routine around the care of their stoma. From the moment you leave hospital, you’ll have tried to work out how to manage your condition most effectively for you. This often involves how often you change your bag, where you store your supplies, how you carry them around, where and when you prefer to change your bag. Included in your routine will be the type of products you prefer to use and the order and speed you like to change your pouch. Often a change in routine can be unnerving for some, and if you are suffering from sore skin can be difficult to imagine that your care routine could be the cause, especially if it’s the way you’ve always cared for your stoma!
If you are suffering from irritated and sore skin altering your care routine may improve it. The way you change your pouch and the products you use may need re-evaluating. it's important to remember you don't have to put up with sore skin.
Sore skin isn't a natural consequence of living with a stoma. It's preventable and treatable.
If you're having problems with sore skin you should always contact your stoma nurse or request an appliance use review (AUR). An AUR allows a stoma nurse to examine your skin and review the type of bag you are using, how you are using it and whether it's still suitable for you. The nurse will also review any complementary products or accessories you're using as part of your care routine. Don’t forget to ask questions about adhesive removers, barrier creams and alternative stoma bags you could try. If your stoma or body shape have changed over time you might want to consider a mouldable base plate or even a convex pouch system?
The review can be very useful in pinpointing the causes of any problems you are having. The nurse will be able to offer advice and, if necessary, provide samples of alternative products which may be more suitable for you.
You can arrange an AUR in the privacy of your own home. The review only takes around 30 minutes but can be so useful in helping you with any sore skin or other problems you're experiencing with your stoma. If you're an Amcare™ Group customer or a me+™ member you can request a visit from one of our specialist stoma care nurses on 0800 085 2516 (UK) or 1800 818 1516 (RoI).
It doesn't have to be. As we've discussed changing your care routine can work wonders. As can switching to a different stoma bag. But there are also other steps you can take to help the skin around your stoma stay healthy.
Don't forget you can receive advice and support from our specialist stoma nurses by calling our product specialists on 1800 335 226, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
1. Salvadalena GD (2013) The incidence of stoma and peristomal complications during the first three months after ostomy creation. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 40(4):400–06
