Articles of Interest
Colostomates
Does the Crusting Technique Actually Work? https://www.veganostomy.ca/crusting-technique/#Video
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Unfortunately, as anyone with an ostomy can tell you, getting an appliance to stick to their damaged or weepy skin is nearly impossible without some kind of complication resulting from it.
The “crusting technique” is a clever way to both protect the skin and give the appliance a good substrate to stick to.
It’s called the crusting technique because the patient, nurse, or caregiver will apply layers of stoma powder and barrier product to develop a dry crust over the affected area.
I’ve used it myself on several occasions, although I have more success when I use a barrier ring to heal my skin.
If you aren’t sure when to use this technique, speak with your stoma nurse. But as a general rule, you’ll be using this technique when you have raw or weepy skin around your stoma.
*Warning: Poor peristomal skin health may be an indication that your appliance may need to be reevaluated. Speak with your stoma nurse if you find yourself needing to use this technique often.
The following video is a very good step by step crusting technique explained.
https://www.veganostomy.ca/crusting-technique/#Video
Embracing Life After Surgery - UOAA’s
website - Ostomy.org, June 13, 2024
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Before cancer came into my life, I was a very social person. My various professional ventures along with the diverse group of friends kept me on the go. Even though I dealt with anxiety it was mild enough that I was still a social butterfly.
I was diagnosed with anal cancer on May 5, 2015, that’s Cinco de Mayo. We had the day planned, going to the groceries for Taco & Nacho Day. Watch mindless shows and spend the day together.
Much like others like me, your caregiver becomes your world.
We were three years into our relationship, and this was not on our Bingo card of relationships … Or was it? That whole summer was spent in bed or on the couch sleeping. I couldn’t stand a lot of smells or people- so not much socializing.
Much like others like me, your caregiver becomes your world. You are dependent on them for food, medical needs, and conversation. Chrisitan, my boyfriend, was all that and more. He was also my punching bag and took all my frustration and honestly, I don’t know where he put that energy.
It made our relationship stronger; it tested the relationship and us. He also helped me get back into the real world easier although it takes the caregiver longer to step out of his role. I don’t know if they ever leave completely.
Continue the article by searching the title on the ostomy.org - Embracing Life After Surgery Ostomy.org, June 13, 2024
Colostomy Complications
Via Tri-state ostomate, Iowa 2011; via Metro Maryland (no date)
One of the most common problems after colostomy surgery (other than skin irritation) is herniation around the colostomy. This is manifested as a bulge in the skin around the stoma, difficulty irrigating, partial obstruction, and occasionally a prolapse of the colon at the colostomy (the bowel pushes itself through the stoma).
Many of these problems can be avoided if the stoma site is marked before surgery at a place that lies within the rectus abdominus muscle near the midline. The WOC Nurse can be of great help in this. The nurse is also helpful in managing complications should the need arise.
WHEN YOU SHOULD CALL THE DOCTOR:
You should call the doctor when you have: cramps lasting more than two or three hours, a severe unusual odor lasting more than a week, unusual change in stoma size and appearance, obstruction at the stoma and/or prolapsed, excessive bleeding from the stoma opening, or a moderate amount in the pouch in several emptyings. (NOTE: the eating of beets will lead to some red discoloration), injury to the stoma, continuous bleeding at the junction between stoma and skin, severe watery discharge lasting more than five or six hours, and any other unusual occurrence regarding the ostomy.
A stoma can become narrowed (stenotic) over the years. This may reflect continued injury from irrigation or a temporary poor blood supply immediately after surgery. This can usually be corrected with a small operation if the condition is significant. With the introduction of irrigation cones, rupture or perforation of the colon is rarely seen. This can happen when an irrigation catheter is used if care is not used when introducing the catheter into the stoma.
Ileostomates
Ileostomates
The Nerve(s) of Those Stomas! By
Mike D’Orazio, RN, ET Broward Ostomy Association FL, via Ostomy Sasketchawan News, CA
The question or comment about stomas lacking sensory nerves, or the more broadly stated claim that stomas have no nerves, is a myth that dies very hard. Allow me to borrow from one of my presentations that partly address this issue.
In summary, - Putting this in perspective, the claim in the first paragraph that “stomas do not have any pain sensation” is false, as is the claim that “stomas have no nerve endings.” Stomas definitely have nerves that are sensitive to stretching. However, it’s also true that stomas tend to be insensitive to certain other stimuli, notably cutting. This creates real danger, as stated in the first paragraph, that you can cut your stoma without being aware of it. And it’s also probably true that, in most cases when people talk about stoma pain it’s really from the peristomal skin. “... most of the information carried by gastrointestinal primary afferent neurons is not consciously perceived. This is nicely demonstrated by tests on fistula patients who report no sensation when the healthy stomach is probed or in patients that have had the intestinal lining cut to take a biopsy.”
Additionally, there are more than 100 million nerve cells in the human small intestine, a number roughly equal to the number of nerve cells in the spinal cord. Add in the nerve cells of the esophagus, stomach, and large intestine and you will find that we have more nerve cells in our bowel than in our spine. We have more nerve
cells in our gut than in the entire remainder of our peripheral nervous system.
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About Ileostomy Output
Via the Orange Oasis and Up Front, Ostomy Assn of NJ
(MMOA Update 2012)
Dr. Philip Kramer of Boston University has studied and monitored the progress of people with ileostomies over many years. Here are some of his findings regarding ileostomy discharges:
The average output of an Ileostomate is about a pint a day, composed of 90% water and 10% solids, whereas normal fecal matter consists of 70% water and 30% solids. Overeating will increase the output of an ileostomy, the same as it will for a normal person.
The fat and nitrogen content of the ileal discharge is the same as that of a normal person.
The salt output from an ileostomy is high, around a teaspoon a day whereas a person with an intact colon has almost no salt output in the feces. The body seems to compensate for this salt and water loss by discharging less salt and water than normal through the urinary tract and through perspiration. The intake of too much salt should be avoided since it increases ileal output.
Urine output is generally less in the Ileostomate. It is necessary, therefore, to increase water intake above normal so to increase the urine output. This way kidney stone development can be minimized.
Some foods increase ileal output while others do not, such as prunes, raw figs, dates, stewed apricots, strawberries, grapes, bananas, beans and cabbage.
High fluid intake, such as a gallon of water a day, did not increase the ileal discharge, but did increase the urine output.
Tips for Choosing the Right Ostomy Supplies - UOAA
This aticle contains photos which need more space than is available here.
Use this link for the article:
https://www.ostomy.org/tips-for-choosing-the-right-ostomy-supplies/
Urostomates
Urostomy Hacks - Brittney Tellekamp
Vancouver Ostomy HighLife July / August 2024 2; Ottawa Ostomy Group October 2025
Having lived with my urostomy for over two years I’m pretty confident in all aspects of ostomy life. My bag change routine is down to a science and nothing about my ostomy has held me back from doing all of my favorite activities. But I am always on the lookout for “hacks” or any- ways to make ostomy owner ship even easier.
Over the last two years, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks through my own experimentation and from my fellow seasoned ostomates. Here are a few of my
favorites.
Managing mucus
Mucus is a never-ending part of urostomy life and even impacts those with neobladders and Indiana pouches. The piece of intestine used to create our urinary diversions still acts like a typical intestine so it creates mucus. The
amount varies widely from person to person. Even things like diet, medications, and hydration levels can change mucus output day-to-day. There are some simple ways to reduce and thin mucus output.
The first is the most straightforward, staying well hydrated! Good water intake will keep your ileal conduit well flushed and will keep the mucus thin so it doesn’t clog your pouch outlet.
The second tip is a little sneakier, vitamin C! I don’t think any of us ostomates understand the exact science, but we all agree vitamin C reduces mucus output. This can be achieved via supplements, but simple orange juice or snacking on oranges works just as well. I notice a huge difference if I’ve missed out on my daily dose of vitamin C. Try adding a glass of juice to your morning or a vitamin C supplement at night. See if it makes a difference for you.
Banning odour
There is a distinct odour that comes with urostomies. It is different from the type of odor that signals infection or some other problem.
The odour is a combination of plastic breakdown in the ostomy bag due to exposure to urine, the general smell of the adhesive barrier wearing down. Plus, the fact that urine in a bag is not sterile. It should not be noticeable, but for most ostomates, we are
highly sensitive and may feel self-conscious about any odour.
The best way to prevent odour is regular bag changes. Ostomy bags, like clothing, will pick up odors as they are worn, so a good bag change routine can cut down on most
unwanted smells.
Hydration is also a big part of odour prevention. Highly concentrated urine will smell. Keeping that water intake steady will reduce urine concentration
thus, reducing the smell. But, I recently learned a fabulous trick for those who
struggle with smell or are sensitive to it - it goes back to vitamin C, but not in the way you think. Try dropping a vitamin C tab in your pouch before putting it on! It zaps any smell and does a great job of preventing odor as well!
Clearing up skin irritation from my ostomy bag All of us will deal with some sort of skin irritation from time to time. Whether it results from the barrier adhesive, leaks, or just weather changes - irritation can happen to
anyone. The easiest solution to irritation is giving your skin breaks from bag wearing. At least once a week I take a bag-free shower. Then post-shower I sit with a towel on
my lap for a few minutes to allow my skin to air dry. The handful of times my skin has been inflamed, these regular breaks cleared things up very quickly.
I also treat my peristomal skin as gently as I do the skin on my face, by
using scent-free cleansers and applying a very light weight moisturizer to the skin. This keeps my skin healthy and makes for a solid base to prepare for bag adhesion.
Regular bag changes are also a big part of skin protection, so make sure you’re not keeping a bag on for too long before changing.
But let’s say you find yourself with itchy skin that isn’t a rash, give your peristomal skin a few spritzes of Flonase! I picked this trick up from friends who have colostomies and deal with skin irritation more often. It works wonder fully for minor irritation. (Note: Flonase is a nasal spray that treats allergy symptoms.)
Ostomy hacks and where to find more
There are so many simple ways to make ostomy life easier. More often than not it just takes multiple rounds of trial and error before you land on routines and tricks that work for you.
Joining ostomy support groups and talking to fellow ostomates even if they don’t have the same type of ostomy as you can reveal so many ways to manage just about any issue you can think of.
For more information about bladder cancer:
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Tips and Tricks by Gary Oddi, Metro Maryland
Please highlight and click on the link below to view this article because it is with photos.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZSX-eqOU6MadJHt7K9UXiI4yDAjCMk92CmVx4anOuQ4/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0
​​ The following information is for people who have had a urostomy (ileal conduit). This is based only on my experiences. So take only what makes sense to you.
(Go to link above to finish article. Can use
" Open in Reading Mode" or highlight the link and click on "Go to https:.....")
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