Antibiotic Side Effects

Antibiotic Side Effects

Many times ostomates who must take powerful antibiotics suddenly find they have itching and
burning under their pouches and have poor pouch adhesion. A side effect of antibiotic therapy can be
a yeast infection on the skin around the stoma. You may hear health professionals call this monilia.

At first it may appear as tiny white pimples, but in a few days it is a red rash. This is caused by the
antibiotic killing some normal bacteria in the body as well as the bacteria causing infection or illness.

At the same time you may also notice sores in your mouth, diarrhea, and a similar rash on the perineal area.

Contact your doctor for a prescription of mycostatin or nystatin powder. Put the powder directly on the irritated area. Apply a coat of silicone skin barrier such as Skin Prep or Bard Pro- tective Skin Barrier,

Let this dry!!! Apply your pouching system as usual. Eating foods such as yogurt or drinking
buttermilk helps to replace some of the normal bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

(Edited by B. Brewer, 12/2011 UOAA Update)