Patients who have gone through an ostomy procedure need to take special care of the stoma opening that has been created. Proper bandaging and taping of bandages can help patients avoid skin irritation and other health issues. However, skin irritation is a common issue that most patients will deal with at some point.
Skin irritations, allergic reactions, and other health problems can occur at the stoma site. With the right care, patients can alleviate the irritation, slow health issues, and keep their stoma clean. Below, we’ll discuss a variety of common issues ostomy patients may deal with and how to resolve these problems.
Treating itchy skin at the stoma
Itchy skin is a common problem that ostomy patients run into when caring for their stoma. With bandaging and adhesive tape regularly near the opening and bandage changes being common, itchy skin can be expected.
Two common causes of itchy skin at the stoma include allergic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Allergic dermatitis occurs when the skin has an allergic reaction due to bandaging, tape, soap, or another substance that may contact the stoma region. Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin near the stoma is irritated by contact with tape or bandaging scraping off the outermost layer of skin.
Proper taping of a stoma opening can help greatly reduce the chances of allergic and contact dermatitis. Hy-Tape, for example, features no allergens that could cause an allergic reaction. It also holds well without irritating the skin when peeled off. This allows the bandage to be held safely in place without worry of the skin becoming irritated due to allergens or tough peeling of the tape.
Learn More – Management Strategies for New Ostomies
Treating red or blistering skin
Red, blistering skin can be a serious annoyance for those with a stoma. It can make it difficult to keep the area bandaged properly and puts patients at risk of infection and serious health problems.
Red or blistering skin near the stoma site can be due to mechanical irritation. This is a common issue that develops when bandaging is changed. As the bandage tape is removed, it can take a thin layer of skin with it. If the tape is removed quickly, it can greatly affect the area.
Patients dealing with mechanical irritation should carefully wash the irritated area with skin-sensitive soap and water. Patting the area dry will allow for less irritation than rubbing it dry. Using Hy-Tape to hold the new bandage in place will also be helpful, as the tape is skin sensitive and features zinc oxide to help protect the skin during tape changes.
Fungal infections are another cause of red or blistering skin. These can occur when a fungus begins to develop at the stoma site, commonly due to water or bacteria entering through the tape and bandage. Antifungal stoma powders can kill the fungus. To avoid fungal issues, Hy-Tape provides a waterproof seal to keep foreign debris away from the stoma.
Treating small red bumps at the stoma
Red bumps near the stoma are another common ailment ostomy patients often experience. These can arise due to issues with the hair that is present near the stoma.
Folliculitis is a common skin irritation where hair follicles are damaged by adhesive tape. When bandage tape is removed from the skin, it tugs at the hair and follicles, sometimes pulling the hair out and irritating the skin. This can lead to itchiness and small red bumps for the patient.
It’s best to shave the stoma area carefully with an electric razor or clip the hair with scissors. Shaving with a razor and shaving cream is another possibility but it must be done extremely carefully near a stoma. Washing the area with antibacterial soap and patting it dry will also help. With little to no hair at the opening, folliculitis is much less likely to occur.
Using Hy-Tape to secure the bandage is especially helpful, as the tape is designed to move comfortably with the patient. It’s also designed to peel away easily without irritating the skin.
How Hy-Tape can assist in avoiding skin irritation
Hy-Tape is formulated with a variety of features that help ostomy patients protect their stoma and avoid skin irritation. The tape is made with zinc oxide, is flexible, holds tightly, is waterproof, and peels away easily.
Hy-Tape’s zinc oxide formula protects the underlying skin. The flexibility of the tape itself makes it easy for patients to freely maneuver without pinching or cutting. The tape holds tightly due to its high-grade adhesive. It’s also waterproof, keeping water, dirt, and debris away from the stoma opening. Hy-Tape also peels away easily when it’s time for bandage chances to avoid peeling away the outer layer of skin.
For ostomy patients who deal with skin irritation at their stoma site, Hy-Tape is a high-quality choice for protecting the stoma without causing skin irritation. Contact us today to learn more about our adhesive tape products or to place an order.