Stoma Skin Care
For living with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy
For living with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy
Do you have red or irritated skin around your stoma? Having a peristomal (around the stoma) skin complication is one of the most common reasons people living with an ostomy seek medical attention. Urine and feces can be irritating to the skin. If you believe you have a peristomal skin complication, contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
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.
Make sure you know what healthy skin looks like
Make note of how your peristomal skin looks when it's healthy. Peristomal skin should look similar to the skin on the other side of your abdomen: smooth and not irritated. Once you know what healthy skin looks like, you can watch for signs of skin irritation.
Healthy Skin
Irritated Skin
Proper fit of the skin barrier around the stoma is important to prevent peristomal skin problems:
Bath and shower tips
Choose a well-fitting skin barrier
Make an easy-to-follow schedule for pouch changes