uggg....Hairy Ostomy Question here......ugggg

ddpekks
ddpekks Member Posts: 162
in Colorectal Cancer #1
OK, so DH is a hairy dude! Nuff said! I got used to it over 30 years ago and moved on. But, now we are having a problem with his wafer. We shave it with an electric razor and I bought one of those little "ear/nose hair trimmers" to get up close to the stoma. But the dang stuff keeps growing. We remove the wafer and it really hurts, no matter how gently we work it.

Now he has a rash around the outer edge. Not bad, but it itches and I don't want it to get any worse. We use the pre-cut Hollister and I know we can't use any lotions or ointments. Tonight I applied the waffer but didn't remove the paper from the fabric outer ring to let it air out for a little while. Any suggestions on what can be done for it or what we can do to prevent it from getting worse?

(does any one besides me notice that it is we, our, us who has a colostomey? ugggg)

Thanks,
Deb

Comments

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #2
    Are you using an adhesive remover when you replace wafer ?
    I;m lucky in not too much hair on chest or ab area but i would think the adhesive remover would help him hair, i mean hear, no hare.;here.....
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #3
    Hi Deb
    Here are a couple of suggestions:

    3M makes a cloth tape called Medipore. It comes in various widths. I first used it at the hospital. It comes perforated so no cutting required. It is much easier on the skin than any other tape I have found. It is a bit expensive, but you don't need much at a time. Some drug stores may carry it. The last I got was from Amazon. I got the 4 inch wide. You can use it on the wafer edges.

    As for the irritation, I use Karaya Powder. It can be used on the 'weeping' areas. I usually put some on around the stoma before adding the wafer. Should not interfer with the fabric out ring sticking, but if it does just tape edges with the Medipore tape.

    Another thing which might be helpful would be to get the edges and the wax ring a bit warm before removing. I usually take a warm bath before changing and all comes off easily.

    Hope something here helps the problem.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • ddpekks
    ddpekks Member Posts: 162
    #4
    coloCan said:

    Are you using an adhesive remover when you replace wafer ?
    I;m lucky in not too much hair on chest or ab area but i would think the adhesive remover would help him hair, i mean hear, no hare.;here.....

    hear the hair?
    I can't stop laughing.....

    No adhesive. When he showers he washes the area real good and I make sure it's dry and not sticky before we apply the new one. How does the adhesive work? When do you use it?
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #5
    There are a couple of products
    that could help:

    Hollister Universal Remover Wipe #7760

    Directions call for it to be used to loosen the edge and to keep using it until the tape is removed.

    I also use Safe n' Simple peri-Stoma Wipes and Adhesive Remover, which are more of a traditional baby wipe style product.

    I get both of these from my mail order provider, and they are covered by insurance. If you want the name give me a PM and I will pass it on to you.

    He might want to consider changing more frequently so the hair has not had a chance to grow. If he does this, a one piece appliance may be the solution.

    Alternately, he could try irrigating, and living life appliance free.

    On another note, he needs to do this himself, this should not be "your" ostomy.
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #6
    Lovekitties said:

    Hi Deb
    Here are a couple of suggestions:

    3M makes a cloth tape called Medipore. It comes in various widths. I first used it at the hospital. It comes perforated so no cutting required. It is much easier on the skin than any other tape I have found. It is a bit expensive, but you don't need much at a time. Some drug stores may carry it. The last I got was from Amazon. I got the 4 inch wide. You can use it on the wafer edges.

    As for the irritation, I use Karaya Powder. It can be used on the 'weeping' areas. I usually put some on around the stoma before adding the wafer. Should not interfer with the fabric out ring sticking, but if it does just tape edges with the Medipore tape.

    Another thing which might be helpful would be to get the edges and the wax ring a bit warm before removing. I usually take a warm bath before changing and all comes off easily.

    Hope something here helps the problem.

    Marie who loves kitties

    If you're removing the wafer by pulling it off, like a bandaid,
    it gonna hurt,esp if hair is involved....The adhesive remover is a wipe you use on the part of the wafer sticking to you that contains substances that loosen/dissolves the glue making removal of wafer much easier and its less wear and tear on skin.....Even if your wafer lasts a week, thats still 52 changes a year.....
  • ddpekks
    ddpekks Member Posts: 162
    #7
    Buckwirth said:

    There are a couple of products
    that could help:

    Hollister Universal Remover Wipe #7760

    Directions call for it to be used to loosen the edge and to keep using it until the tape is removed.

    I also use Safe n' Simple peri-Stoma Wipes and Adhesive Remover, which are more of a traditional baby wipe style product.

    I get both of these from my mail order provider, and they are covered by insurance. If you want the name give me a PM and I will pass it on to you.

    He might want to consider changing more frequently so the hair has not had a chance to grow. If he does this, a one piece appliance may be the solution.

    Alternately, he could try irrigating, and living life appliance free.

    On another note, he needs to do this himself, this should not be "your" ostomy.

    I knew you would say that, Buck....
    and I know you are right. He is getting better, for sure. We change the wafer at least twice a week, the bag 3-4 times. When he changes the bag, he does that on his own and empties in between, but he lacks the confidence to change the wafer. We just got the pre-cuts and I think that will help move him along. I also realize that I need to let go. I'm still packing his back side and as soon as that is done he's on his own, I promise.

    I'll order the Hollister Remover or Safe n Simple and try that. Thank you so much for you suggestions and advice.

    I'm getting there......slowly!

    D
  • ddpekks
    ddpekks Member Posts: 162
    #8
    Lovekitties said:

    Hi Deb
    Here are a couple of suggestions:

    3M makes a cloth tape called Medipore. It comes in various widths. I first used it at the hospital. It comes perforated so no cutting required. It is much easier on the skin than any other tape I have found. It is a bit expensive, but you don't need much at a time. Some drug stores may carry it. The last I got was from Amazon. I got the 4 inch wide. You can use it on the wafer edges.

    As for the irritation, I use Karaya Powder. It can be used on the 'weeping' areas. I usually put some on around the stoma before adding the wafer. Should not interfer with the fabric out ring sticking, but if it does just tape edges with the Medipore tape.

    Another thing which might be helpful would be to get the edges and the wax ring a bit warm before removing. I usually take a warm bath before changing and all comes off easily.

    Hope something here helps the problem.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thanks, Marie
    I'm going to try the Powder and will get some of the Medipore tape. Your suggestions are great.

    D
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #9
    ddpekks said:

    I knew you would say that, Buck....
    and I know you are right. He is getting better, for sure. We change the wafer at least twice a week, the bag 3-4 times. When he changes the bag, he does that on his own and empties in between, but he lacks the confidence to change the wafer. We just got the pre-cuts and I think that will help move him along. I also realize that I need to let go. I'm still packing his back side and as soon as that is done he's on his own, I promise.

    I'll order the Hollister Remover or Safe n Simple and try that. Thank you so much for you suggestions and advice.

    I'm getting there......slowly!

    D

    I had a home health nurse
    and it sounds like you do not. I also had a leaky wound, but it did not need to be packed.

    Does he use an open end or closed end bag? I hated emptying the bag, and really prefer the closed end, single use bags. Those are available in a one piece appliance (Hollister calls theirs Premier) and would allow for a daily change, keeping the hair short.
  • greg57
    greg57 Member Posts: 11
    #10
    Hairy is a pain (no pun intended)
    I joined this site a few months ago and got a lot of good responses but like a dummy I can't find my posts/responses. Anyway as for the hair issue. I too am quite hairy and as it grows under the wafer (my colostomy was 12/08) I simply have to shave the area about once a week. I started out using electric razors/trimmers but found them to "cause" irritation which can be worse than the hair itself. So I go old school and use shaving cream & good disposable razors. Just be careful with the razor around the stoma. Early on I had severe irritation under my wafer & was advised by my ostomy nurse to cover the area with Desenex (used for athletes foot). Just pat the area dry, sprinkle the Desenex on, leave it for a minute or two then fan off the excess. This never caused an adhesion problem with Convatec products. I also seem to have "outgrown" this as I haven't had to use it for over a year. I also change this in the shower because my "flow" is never inactive. I've been using Convatec Surfit Natura wafers & bags. Their website: http://www.convatec.com/en/cvtus-homeus/cvt-home/0/home/0/393/0/home-.html/default.html . These work so much better that what they gave me after surgery. They have always been very nice to me and have even sent me free samples to try until I found what worked best for me. This will all be changing for me on Monday though. My doctor at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA found dysplasia/pre-cancerous cells. He and 2 surgeons agreed that to avoid further colon cancer, the best move would be to remove the remainder of my colon leaving me with an ileostomy. So my surgery is scheduled for Monday 11/21 - and to say the least I am completely freaked about it. Sorry this has been long-winded and I hope I have helped. Good luck!
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #11
    Buckwirth said:

    There are a couple of products
    that could help:

    Hollister Universal Remover Wipe #7760

    Directions call for it to be used to loosen the edge and to keep using it until the tape is removed.

    I also use Safe n' Simple peri-Stoma Wipes and Adhesive Remover, which are more of a traditional baby wipe style product.

    I get both of these from my mail order provider, and they are covered by insurance. If you want the name give me a PM and I will pass it on to you.

    He might want to consider changing more frequently so the hair has not had a chance to grow. If he does this, a one piece appliance may be the solution.

    Alternately, he could try irrigating, and living life appliance free.

    On another note, he needs to do this himself, this should not be "your" ostomy.

    Hi Deb,
    I didn't have the
    Hi Deb,
    I didn't have the hair issue, but I definitely lacked the confidence in changing my entire appliance. (bag would be ok, wafer, no). My issues were I couldn't see well enough to get the dang thing on straight and I struggled with leaks, couldn't get a good seal with the wax.

    I ended up going the route that Buck did, to a one step appliance, when it was full, the whole thing came off and a new one went on. I also got a 300X mirror and wow did that make a difference. The issues, one by one, the stoma nurse and I tackled with the goal that this was just not going to be an issue with me anymore. And it wasn't. All kinds of little tricks the nurse had- saw her bout as often as I did my onoclogist or surgeon. And what she gave me was confidence to just take control and do it.

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