Blood around stoma...

We changed wafer tonight. We took it off, he showered as usual and I dried around it with a paper towel. I noticed a very small stain of red. I checked closer and where the skin meets the stoma there was a hairline stain of blood (about 1/4 of the way around it). Not much, but it alarms me. I intend to check it in the morning, but this is all new to us. Don't know if this is normal or not. Please help me.

Thanks,
D

Comments

  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    normal...................
    The stoma has no nerves but it does have capillaries and bleeds at the drop of a hat...I have looked as though I am slaughtering myself sometimes when using a towel. The stoma will bleed if you look at it wrong..Its ok, its normal, I simply blot it with toilet paper until it quits then apply my wafer......your ok... :) Buzz
  • ddpekks
    ddpekks Member Posts: 162
    Buzzard said:

    normal...................
    The stoma has no nerves but it does have capillaries and bleeds at the drop of a hat...I have looked as though I am slaughtering myself sometimes when using a towel. The stoma will bleed if you look at it wrong..Its ok, its normal, I simply blot it with toilet paper until it quits then apply my wafer......your ok... :) Buzz

    Thanks, Buzz...
    There is so dam*d much to learn. He is very calm about it, and I'm trying not to alarm him, but I had to leave the room to keep from freaking out. Thank God for this site.
    D
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    ddpekks -

    "where the skin meets the stoma there was a hairline stain
    of blood (about 1/4 of the way around it"


    That's a typical sign that the hole in the wafer/appliance is not
    cut quite close enough to the base of the stoma.

    Waste is contacting the skin at the base of the stoma and burning
    into it.

    If you're not using "cut to size" appliances, I strongly suggest you
    begin using them. The stoma will change size over a six month
    period following it's placement, and what may fit today, may
    not fit by next week.

    To resolve any damaged skin under the appliance, use a
    product from Convetec, called "Stomahesive Powder".

    Do -not- use any other skin dressing, or topical dressing
    with the Stomahesive Powder, it is designed to be used alone!
    Just put some on your finger, and dab it to the sore area(s), and
    dust off any excess. Apply the appliance directly on top of the
    powder, and the sore area should be healed within two days.

    There should be no skin showing around the stoma's base
    when you look at the stoma with the appliance on.

    Oh, and if you're not using a two-piece appliance, I would
    highly recommend that you try them. It makes placement easier,
    and you can change out the pouch without having to remove
    the wafer.

    Try this website: UOAA , there's a wealth of information there
    for any ostomate!

    Best wishes to you,

    John
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    normal
    Normal -- especially if a just a little blood. The stoma and surrounding area can get banged or 'scratched' -- sometimes even by towel (by the way, I find paper towel ideal for dabbing dry). Nothing to worry about, in my humble opinion, if it is just a little bit and blood flow stops quickly. IF there is a lot of irritation around the area (soreness, redness, stinging) then I agree with John23 -- make sure the hole in your appliance is the right size and the adhesive powder he recommended works wonders - I swear by it (and, like John, NOTHING ELSE). Also, if you can give the area a little "air" before reapplying appliance, that is good (depending on your output situation -- can you get a safe window - -even 30 min).

    Can be scary the first time! Good luck

    Tara
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    John23 said:

    ddpekks -

    "where the skin meets the stoma there was a hairline stain
    of blood (about 1/4 of the way around it"


    That's a typical sign that the hole in the wafer/appliance is not
    cut quite close enough to the base of the stoma.

    Waste is contacting the skin at the base of the stoma and burning
    into it.

    If you're not using "cut to size" appliances, I strongly suggest you
    begin using them. The stoma will change size over a six month
    period following it's placement, and what may fit today, may
    not fit by next week.

    To resolve any damaged skin under the appliance, use a
    product from Convetec, called "Stomahesive Powder".

    Do -not- use any other skin dressing, or topical dressing
    with the Stomahesive Powder, it is designed to be used alone!
    Just put some on your finger, and dab it to the sore area(s), and
    dust off any excess. Apply the appliance directly on top of the
    powder, and the sore area should be healed within two days.

    There should be no skin showing around the stoma's base
    when you look at the stoma with the appliance on.

    Oh, and if you're not using a two-piece appliance, I would
    highly recommend that you try them. It makes placement easier,
    and you can change out the pouch without having to remove
    the wafer.

    Try this website: UOAA , there's a wealth of information there
    for any ostomate!

    Best wishes to you,

    John

    John's references
    are dead on for an ileostomy, but not as important for a colostomy.

    Buzz and I both have colostomies, and I agree with him that blood around the stoma is perfectly normal, and I use a pre-cut appliance that does not fit perfectly, but which was recommended by my WOCN. Have to say I am very happy with it, and do not miss cutting my appliance every time I change it. I do use paste or the Hollister rings to fill in the open spaces.

    What I would suggest is letting him start taking care of the stoma himself (unless you are describing a situation where he was ill with the chemo). There will come a day he needs to do this at work, out of town, or even while grocery shopping and he needs to be comfortable doing it on his own.
  • ddpekks
    ddpekks Member Posts: 162
    Thanks for all your input
    I've been cutting the wafers (Hollister) because, at 3 months, it's a little more oval than round. Should I cut it round and kinda force it into that shape, so that I can use the pre-cuts? We had an Osto nurse for a short while, but she always came in while I was at work, so I've learned from reading and his relay of instruction.

    He pretty much does everyting for himself excet the butt packing and wafer changing. I think we are both still nervous and still learning about all this and maybe try too hard to get it right.

    He wrote down the name of the powder and is going to try to find it today.

    Again, thank you so much. Your info is gret!

    D
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    ddpekks said:

    Thanks for all your input
    I've been cutting the wafers (Hollister) because, at 3 months, it's a little more oval than round. Should I cut it round and kinda force it into that shape, so that I can use the pre-cuts? We had an Osto nurse for a short while, but she always came in while I was at work, so I've learned from reading and his relay of instruction.

    He pretty much does everyting for himself excet the butt packing and wafer changing. I think we are both still nervous and still learning about all this and maybe try too hard to get it right.

    He wrote down the name of the powder and is going to try to find it today.

    Again, thank you so much. Your info is gret!

    D

    I have some 2 piece appliances if you might care to try them..
    I can send you a few to see if they are suitable for you...I love the way they fit work and stay on...they are disposable pouches, not the reusable ones. I also have some of that powder that John speaks of if you'd like to try it as well...if you would like them PM me an address to send them to and I will get them out....I will send a couple of wafers and 6-8 pouches for 3-8 days worth of wear...These pouches have the vent system as well but sometimes stop up during the night but 95% great.........buzz


    PS...I wouldn't try and force the wafer over the elongated stoma..That will cause bleeding as well but with a colostomy the stool is normally thicker and a little looser fit is most of the time allowable...The Illeo however is a lot watery and finds the openings a lot easier to irritate the peristomal skin...I can normally tell when I am getting a leak at first it starts to itch a bit, then a lot. then starts the burn. If it starts to itch a bit then get it cleaned and changed.... :)


    Mine are Hollister as well...18373 pouch and a 14603 wafer cut to fit..32 mm...they can be recut to oval if you would like to try them...I think the powder is called ""Adapt Stomahesive Powder"
  • ddpekks
    ddpekks Member Posts: 162
    Buzzard said:

    I have some 2 piece appliances if you might care to try them..
    I can send you a few to see if they are suitable for you...I love the way they fit work and stay on...they are disposable pouches, not the reusable ones. I also have some of that powder that John speaks of if you'd like to try it as well...if you would like them PM me an address to send them to and I will get them out....I will send a couple of wafers and 6-8 pouches for 3-8 days worth of wear...These pouches have the vent system as well but sometimes stop up during the night but 95% great.........buzz


    PS...I wouldn't try and force the wafer over the elongated stoma..That will cause bleeding as well but with a colostomy the stool is normally thicker and a little looser fit is most of the time allowable...The Illeo however is a lot watery and finds the openings a lot easier to irritate the peristomal skin...I can normally tell when I am getting a leak at first it starts to itch a bit, then a lot. then starts the burn. If it starts to itch a bit then get it cleaned and changed.... :)


    Mine are Hollister as well...18373 pouch and a 14603 wafer cut to fit..32 mm...they can be recut to oval if you would like to try them...I think the powder is called ""Adapt Stomahesive Powder"

    Buzz, I PM'd you
    But I don't think it's necessary to send me any. We use the same thing you do, only not pre-cut wafers. We will order pre-cuts next time. I think I've been given such good info here that I should be able to handle it now. If it doesn't get better, believe me, I will be back.

    You guys are the best.

    D
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    ddpekks said:

    Buzz, I PM'd you
    But I don't think it's necessary to send me any. We use the same thing you do, only not pre-cut wafers. We will order pre-cuts next time. I think I've been given such good info here that I should be able to handle it now. If it doesn't get better, believe me, I will be back.

    You guys are the best.

    D

    ddpekks -
    I would forget the "precut" versions and continue to cut each
    one yourself. The stoma will change (as you have noted), and
    while the "precut" versions may be OK for the older stoma,
    (haha), I.E. the stoma that one has had for a couple years, the
    new stoma needs to be custom fitted until it finally settles.

    At nine months post surgery (with my second Ileostomy), the
    stupid thing is still changing in size and form. I would have
    had to throw out a lot of precuts, and I would have suffered
    leaks and peristomal skin damage.

    Not everyone, with -any- type of stoma, fits the same situation.
    A Colostomy can be a lot easier to service than an Ileostomy,
    but as any WOCN can tell you, a Colostomy can also be as
    much hell to work with as an Ileostomy; we're all different,
    and not all stomas conform to the best "standards".

    With a Colostomy.... Many Colostomates make use of a
    technique called "Colostomy Irrigation". Those that practice
    irrigating say they can go without the appliance for periods
    of time (between irrigating). It may make life a bit easier living
    with a Colostomy... Unfortunately, we Ileostomates can not
    make use of the procedure.

    That "powder" by the way, is Convetec Stomahesive Powder.
    It comes in a very small plastic bottle. Those that use it properly
    swear by the miraculous results it provides! But remember not to
    use any other topical dressing under or over it (no skin preps),
    otherwise you'll be defeating the purpose of the Stomahesive powder.


    Best wishes,

    John
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Bleeding
    Yup it's common, it bleeds very easy and nothing to worry about. It's good to be aware though.

    Kim
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    My husband has had a
    My husband has had a colostomy since January and it still bleeds. Sometime more than
    others. It is very scary.
  • scjohnson2006
    scjohnson2006 Member Posts: 2

    Bleeding
    Yup it's common, it bleeds very easy and nothing to worry about. It's good to be aware though.

    Kim

    yeah I hate it when mine
    yeah I hate it when mine bleeds bc it burns really bad when I put my wafer on.. aghh.. and I do everything for it to stop.. agrrevating... and my problem now is that it turns black( my stoma) and no one thinks nothing is wrong..
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member

    yeah I hate it when mine
    yeah I hate it when mine bleeds bc it burns really bad when I put my wafer on.. aghh.. and I do everything for it to stop.. agrrevating... and my problem now is that it turns black( my stoma) and no one thinks nothing is wrong..

    Stoma turning black
    That doesn't seem right at all. They always say it should look a healthy "pink" and certainly not black. You should probably make an appointment with the surgeon and have him look at it again just to make sure.

    Kim
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    eibod said:

    My husband has had a
    My husband has had a colostomy since January and it still bleeds. Sometime more than
    others. It is very scary.

    I have had mine since 7/15/2008
    and it still bleeds....If my stoma was black then I would definitely see an ostomy nurse on the double...something isn't right...
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    great info
    As usual great info abounds on this board.

    I am sorry so many have so much experiance fighting this disease.
    I am greatful that they take their time to share what they have learned from their experiences.

    Thanks and hugs to you all.

    Mark
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    marqimark said:

    great info
    As usual great info abounds on this board.

    I am sorry so many have so much experiance fighting this disease.
    I am greatful that they take their time to share what they have learned from their experiences.

    Thanks and hugs to you all.

    Mark

    x2 on the 2-piece appliance
    x2 on the 2-piece appliance system. I also use the Hollister 2-piece units. I cut my own out at 26mm so they are a snug fit & have had no bleeding.