Switching to Convex Skin Barrier for Better Fit?

I have been having trouble keeping my skin barrier on. It seems to leak a lot. The other day I had to change it 5 times. I hope since I called Hollister and they pointed me in a different direction. I was using a flat skin barrier and they said since I have a flat stoma I should be using the convex skin barrier. Anyone else been through this?

Hi Bigboy, a large percentage have leaking issues mainly during the early days. See your stoma nurse regularly and try different products from the manufacturers. If the nurse can't supply samples to try, the manufacturers will often send samples for free. Keep at it and you will get a handle on it before long, everyone does.

Hi, big boy, do make sure that your skin is completely dry. The convex bags were a game changer for me many years ago. I don't know what soap, if any, you are using, but if you are using a moisturizing soap, you will have a greater chance of your barrier coming off. Hope you get this taken care of soon. Changing so many times is hard on your skin.

Bigboy, have you tried those convex bags yet? They are a game changer with flatter stomas. For a period of time when I was leaking a lot, I even tried a Hollister convex ring, then put my convex bag over that. It worked. Later, I tried my regular barrier rings with my convex bags and I was fine so I went back to them.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hollister+convex+barrier+rings&rlz=1CAVARX_enUS930US930&oq=Hollister+convex+barrier+rings&aqs=chrome.0.0i512j0i22i30l2j0i390i512i650l4.8582j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Hi BigBoy! Be sure you have your stoma measurement right. You don't want your wafer sitting on top of your stoma even a little bit because stool will get underneath. If your stoma is between the standard pre-cut sizes, choose the size up and use a ring to fill in the small space. Again, make sure the ring is not on top of your stoma. If you have a steady hand, you might like a cut-to-fit. All of the previously mentioned suggestions still apply.

If your peristomal skin is irritated, itchy, and burning, you might have a fungal infection. Try some 2% miconazole powder. It won't hurt anything to try it.

For weepy skin, Domeboro soaks help dry it up so your wafer will stick, but it won't heal anything.

Make sure you wash your hands with antibacterial soap before handling any of your supplies.

There are so many things that can cause your problems. I had quite a journey myself. I found out I was allergic to the adhesive remover I was using and some adhesives. Yeah! Because our main objective is good adhesion, I had quite a journey finding wafers, extenders, etc., that I wasn't allergic to. Even stoma powder, which is an adhesive. I still have problems. I don't try to keep my wafer on once it starts leaking underneath; I change it. Doesn't matter if it's the same day because stool is extremely irritating.

Bottom line is it's not just the fit of the wafer if there are underlying issues.

I'm sorry that you're going through this. You probably don't want to make a lot of changes all at once because you won't know which thing you changed is working for you.

God bless and good luck! E & I

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Yeah, I have used the convex ones, and I was still having problems. I usually use just a wet towel with no soap on it. Should I be using soap to wipe down before I put a new barrier on?