Peristomal Skin

 Managing Skin Irritation Around The Urostomy Stoma

The skin around a urostomy stoma can get irritated due to coming in contact with the stomal output regularly. In this article, we will discuss how to manage skin irritation around a urostomy stoma.

Recognizing the irritated skin

The skin under your ostomy pouch should be slightly pink or gray-brown when you remove the pouch for the first time. Although this color may be a bit different from elsewhere on the abdominal skin, it is not something to be concerned about. This color should change to match the rest of the abdominal skin in 15 to 30 minutes after the ostomy pouch removal.

Signs of irritated skin around the stoma include the following:

• Reddish appearance
• Looking a bit different from the skin elsewhere on the abdomen
• Burning or itching in the affected area
• Painfulness

Caring for the irritated skin

The good news is that you can find relief from irritation with the help of products available at drugstores and pharmacies. The most notable products are ostomy powders and skin prep wipes. But remember, these products do not help with all types of skin irritation. Using them incorrectly may even lead to further skin damage. Here are the ways you can use these products on the irritated skin around the stoma.

If your skin is redder or more brown-gray than usual but there is no itching, burning, or pain, you may want to consider following the steps below.

• Covering the skin with a thin hydrocolloid sheet or liquid skin protectant
• Applying the ostomy pouch over the thin layer of the hydrocolloid sheet or liquid skin protectant
• Avoiding using ostomy powder for more than a couple of days

You can buy these products from a local pharmacy or online. You can cut an elastic barrier strip and put it over the skin if you do not have a thin hydrocolloid sheet or skin protectant.

If your skin is itchy but looks fine, you may consider the following steps.

• Asking your ostomy care nurse to suggest a different skin barrier
• Avoiding using any skin prep wipes or ostomy powders

If your skin is irritated and there are visible signs of irritation, you may want to consider the following steps.

• Asking your nurse to suggest a treatment plan for the problem
• Avoiding using any skin prep wipes or powders until your nurse recommends
• Speaking to your doctor about the prescription medicine you should use
• Seeing a dermatologist if your nurse or doctor recommends

Taking a skin break

You may want to leave your skin uncovered for a few minutes after taking your ostomy pouching system off. Taking a skin break this way can help prevent skin irritation.

Before taking a skin break, you may want to discuss it with your doctor or ostomy care nurse. Follow their advice regarding when and how to take a skin break.

Urine is filled with toxins and irritating materials. Sometimes, urine can be a bit more acidic, which can increase the likelihood of irritation. So, you have to be vigilant about your peristomal skin.