Using Stomahesive Powder for Excoriation

When you have weeping skin or technically called excoriation, here are some tips and inputs you could follow to dry the skin. You have to do this daily.

Put the powder on first then "blow" away the excess (not wipe). This will allow the powder to be absorbed by the skin where required.

It will not affect adhesion.

Then apply the barrier wipe.

When the flange covers the area, the skin heals for several days and when you remove the flange, the excoriation is gone.



Stool excoriation is the most common skin complication. It can lead to redness, weepy bleeding areas, pain, itching, stinging or burning sensations. Skin excoriation is often the result of stool coming into contact with the peristomal skin. Additional factors which may lead to excoriation include chemotherapy, radiation, psoriasis, adverse reaction or side effect to certain medications such as, steroids, antibiotics, chemotherapy, or immunosuppressives. A flush or retracted stoma can lead to stool leakage and excoriation. Poor hygiene, an inappropriate pouching system as well as allergies or sensitivity can also cause skin reactions.

The most common reason for stool irritation is an appliance or flange with an opening that is too large. Too much skin becomes exposed and stool comes in contact with it, causing irritation/erosion. The opening of an appliance/flange should be no more than 1/8 inch (3 to 4 mm) larger than the base of the stoma. This allows for adequate skin protection, but also ensures some "wiggle" room for peristalsis or normal movement of the stoma. The opening should not be snug against the stoma as this can cause a laceration or a cut to the stoma to occur. To ensure that the opening is correct, save the paper or plastic backing of the current appliance and place it over the stoma, ensuring that it is centered over the opening. Look in a mirror and check the gap between the base of the stoma and the edge of the opening. The stoma may need to be moved around (use a tissue and just gently move it from side to side, or up and down) to check all sides. If the opening is too large, then the pattern needs to be adjusted accordingly.

Once the cause of the stool irritation has been identified and corrected, then the actual treatment is quite simple. Using a pectin based powder (e.g. Stomahesive Powder™ or Premium Powder™), sprinkled lightly on the affected area, and then sealed with a skin sealant (e.g., No Sting™ or Skin Prep™) is usually sufficient. Using powder only may prevent the appliance from adhering to the skin, so a sealant is helpful. Usually, if all things are corrected, then healing or resolution should occur by the time the next appliance change is due.

Hop this helps!