How to safely remove dried Marathon Skin Protectant?

Hi gang,

So during my last barrier change on Wednesday, I used Marathon Skin Protectant under my bandage portion of my barrier. I'll be changing my barrier tomorrow morning, so I just read the Marathon instructions on how to remove the product. And it basically says not to worry, as it will not be sticking too well after 2 days. But I'm wondering what I'll do if it is sticking well. It's basically cyanoacrylate, i.e., Krazy Glue, which is taken off with nail polish remover. But if my skin underneath is still red and irritated, I ain't puttin' no darn acetone on it, that's for sure. So..........for those who use Marathon......how do you break it down once cured without irritating your skin more??? Yeah, I know...........I should have read the instructions BEFORE I applied it........but what's the fun in that???

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Bob,

I don't have any experience with Marathon skin protectant as I don't use one, but please keep us posted on how it works out for you. Best of luck!

Kristen

Hi Bob,

I don't have any experience with Marathon skin protectant as I don't use one, but please keep us posted on how it works out for you. Best of luck!

Kristen

That was supposed to be good luck getting it off lol

Hi Bob,

I don't have any experience with Marathon skin protectant as I don't use one, but please keep us posted on how it works out for you. Best of luck!

Kristen

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Do you have any adhesive remover? Is it safe for skin? Does it usually smell like citrus or oranges? That might work. It usually doesn't sting.

Hi Bob, I've used it often, and after it's been under your flange for 3-4 days, it will just come off easily with water and wiping with a paper towel. I've never had a problem with it sticking and staying.

Hi Uro,

Yup.......what you said is what I've read. But what would you do if you had to remove your barrier on day 1 1/2 or day 2? Would it just peel off and leave behind a residue.......or would it be superglued to you and take skin with it? I'm going to find out in the morning.........I was just wondering what to expect.

Thanks,

Bob

It gets moist and won't stick on you like you think. Most of it comes off on the flange and the rest wipes off.  

I just use Hollister adhesive remover wipes, but I don't use Marathon.

Bob, I would try coconut oil and baking soda or vinegar before I would try acetone. I never used the Marathon but I have had super glue stuck to my skin. I too don't read instructions. I'm still trying to figure out what that extra screw is for. Hope you find a way! Good luck. Mike

Hi Mike,

Yeah, I was just kidding about the acetone, although if my skin was in great shape I'd try it!   I always thought the extra screw was there to replace the one that gets lost when you put something together without reading the instructions first.   Cuz when I get done not only is there no extra..........but I could use one!

Thanks brother!

Bob

You bet, Bob! Hope you get results! Let us know what works best. Mike

From the Marathon website "Excess Marathon™ Liquid Skin Protectant can be removed before it dries by wiping with a clean tissue. Once it has dried, unwanted cyanoacrylate can be softened with petroleum jelly and removed. It will naturally wear off within 1-3 days as the skin renews itself."

From the Marathon website "Excess Marathon™ Liquid Skin Protectant can be removed before it dries by wiping with a clean tissue. Once it has dried, unwanted cyanoacrylate can be softened with petroleum jelly and removed. It will naturally wear off within 1-3 days as the skin renews itself."

Hi Notice,

Yup.........I read what it says. The problem is it's wrong. The stuff dries so fast that wiping it with a clean tissue is silly. It goes on where you apply it, and that's all she wrote. Getting it off is worse. Petroleum jelly makes your skin feel nice, but doesn't penetrate dried Marathon. What I do now is put Vaseline over all the old stuck-on Marathon, let it sit for a few minutes, and then lightly drag my fingernails across it in different directions. As I do that, small pieces will flake off and get caught by the Vaseline.....so it does help stop a mess of dried Marathon from getting everywhere, but if you're thinking Vaseline will dissolve dried Marathon....it won't. And when done you have to use an oil displacing soap, like Dawn dishwashing liquid, to get all traces of the Vaseline off before you re-apply the new Marathon. All in all, not a huge deal, and after you do it a few times......it's not a biggie!

Regards,

Bob

The petrolatum simply lifts the edges of the Marathon, that's why you're able to get it to flake when you rub your fingernails across it. Several applications of this with a cleansing wipe in between. It is not an easy process as you have noted!

This is only to be done if someone has a reaction to the product. Marathon cyanoacrylate is not meant to be removed. It is meant to remain in place until the skin cells lift off as the skin ages, typically 3 days. Only a very light layer is to be used, if you get flaking and cracking it is because too much product was applied (many are tempted to go back over an area more than once).

Once a thin layer has been applied and allowed to dry it should remain in place. When the next pouching system is applied (after gentle skin cleansing to remove stool or barrier product) a new layer of Marathon can be applied without removal of the previous layer.