How I Healed the Skin Around My Stoma | Let's Talk IBD 

Hi all! I am noticing a number of people asking where I get the Marathon! Here is my Amazon Affiliate link to it: amzn.to/30dvT0Z

You are so sweet, open and informative. The internet is lucky to have you ❤️ Beautiful inside and out

Hi. I had emergency surgery due to a ruptured intestine. I've been using a colostomy bag for one year now. I never ever had irritated skin the whole year until 3 days ago. Thank u for this video. It's very helpful

Maggie…love your bravery…I’m sure you know how helpful you are to people. Hi pups….oh and you Zac

I don't even have a stoma and I'm so invested in this lol

You're videos are a lifesaver for me 💙 If I'm being honest, my area is very... poor about know how and how to take care of it with nurses, I currently don't have one assigned to me for care of my stoma. Was given a few pointers from two stoma nurses days after surgery, given free samples, and now I'm in a care facility and...all the nurses here really don't know anything and have even made things worse... They kept insisting they cut, and didn't use the measuring guide. And made it bigger first, before putting the wafer on. And... they made it way too big. Exposing so much of my skin. They also told me to avoid using the powder and the paste. And don't want to change it but every five days. I... seriously was bewildered by the fact a layer of feces covered and dried over my stoma. Instead of trying to clean it like I wanted, they hurriedly put the new bag on. It must have 'popped" or she'd reluctantly off from the stoma slushing off. But I had to clean the degusting feces off, and needed sisscirs for the dried strands just.. uh. But instead they insisted on wiping to wrap it around my stoma and put the bag on. This actually made my already red and exposed skin...worse and blistering. I insisted on being given a pair of scissors to get the fence strands cut, they were mushy and gross but it helped... Your videos are so helpful to me and honestly I may suggest to these nurses...

Glad you are feeling better. I love your sweater, it's so cute.

Hey...I am happy to hear things are working out!!!

Thanks for your tips. I liked how you blow the excess powder off. The first 5-6 years were riddled w severe pain due to skin issues. I had a herniated bowel 6 years later, n my second stoma was flat, so that was a challenge to find a flange to work. Seven months later, I had a small bowel blockage, n this stoma Is perfect. This November 25th, my stoma will be 19 years old. I too had a name for my stomas, but I forget their names. I’m also extremely happy my skin issues finally cleared up, n I no longer use any products to get my flange to adhere to my skin. Occasionally, I use the stoma powder, but no paste, barrier wipes, nothing. I love that you are bringing attention of life w an ostomy. I pray that someday you too can get by w/o using all those products. Good luck!!!

Hi Maggie. I tried the flonase on my neck rash after my ACDF surgery. IT WORKED! You saved my life!!!

Hi Maggie. I happen to have pyoderma and had serious problems in the beginning with my stoma. I found that letting the skin breathe is very helpful. I know it’s not favorable but I left my barrier off for about 3 hours a day. I now have no issues and wear my Convatec barriers with the Eakin cohesive seal for 3-5 days! It took a while to heal but I had to use stomahesive powder with the 3m spray on bandaid. Skin issues are very painful so I sympathize with you. Glad you are doing much better!

You are radiant, Maggie. Thanks for sharing this good news with us.

This is so relatable for so many ostomates. They're have been 2 really bad instances for me in the past 2 years. I couldn't get a bag to stick on me at all. My rash was ANGRY 🤬! It was so bad that it was even on the top of my thighs. The only thing that worked was time. Eventually I was able to get a bag to stick for a few hours, that eventually turned into normal usage. It took well over a month each time. Thanks for the info you've provided.

Maggie, you are such a lovable human being. Thanks for sharing with us your experiences, and always keep us updated. I hope you're doing well. 🤗

Happy for you Maggie that your skin is finally improving 👍 Thank you for sharing another very informative and helpful video!! You have helped and inspired me in many ways ❤️

My son has an ostomy bag to which he seems quite reconciled physically, but it was quite a learning curve at least for the first year. I commend and thanks you for sharing your experience and information so candidly. 👌👌👍👍🙏🙏

Thank you for sharing about your life and normalizing living with a stoma.

Glad things are working well for you!! You look lovely!!💕😺😺😺

Cyanoacrylate is the same adhesive in Superglue but apparently the medical grade versions are safer to use on skin.

Glad to see that the skin is healing time after time, and effective for protect it, too.💖

Flonase helped me big time when I had skin issues including helping a wound close. I also tried marathon. Figuring out the whys is the hardest part that’s for sure!! Well done video. Xoxo

Thank you for sharing and educating us. I have all the issues you have. Saw the ostomy nurse about 6 months ago and use nasonex about 1 time weekly on the skin and It works well.

Yay, I'm so glad your skin is doing better!!

I have a recessed stoma and have a lot of skin issues right around the opening. What i have started doing to help the skin dry out is let it breathe for a couple of hours. I bought one of the stoma guard things you can get for sports and just tuck that into my underwear and put a dry wipe in there just in case. It has helped me so much.

The powder bottle hack!!! You just solved a problem.

Thanks so much for this…. I have had a stoma for 10 years now and have only had issues for the last 8 months… I have always used stomahesive but now actually need it. Also I never use the paste when I need a change… I just change my flange bc that means it needs to be changed and scraping off stomahesive is NEVER fun, just change your appliance…..I also had an ostomy when I was a child,…. I got my new buddy at 35 so I’ve lived with this on and off my whole like… and actually it’s made my life sooo much better just a bit weird to explain but better than having pain…

Thank you so much for sharing this. My skin gets irritated by the adhesives on the flanges, but I can’t wear tons of extra pieces because my stoma is low-profile.

Glad to see your well

I'm so happy for you that your skin has healed up so well! I've had minor irritations, but nothing like yours, wow, you've been through a LOT with that!!! I don't like using that powder, I tried using it years ago, when I first got my colostomy, as my sodomy nurse suggested I use it and it didn't work for me at all. All I do, is like you said, make sure my skin is super clean, then I use an adhesive wipe and just lightly wipe around the skin area right outside the stoma. Then I take an Eakins seal or ring that I have stretched out to fit around the skin outside my stomam and carefully place it on. Then I take my phlange and place it carefully over my fully dry skin like you did. I noticed you put yours on in a diamond shape, I used to do that with my 1st colostomy, it became very herniated, and my surgeon took care of the hernia and moved my colostomy over to the other side of my tummy which greatly helped with my leakage problems. Now I put my phlange on in a square shape. I press it down and let it sit for a few minutes to fully adhere to my skin. I like to use a couple of small strips of clear surgical tapes one stop on the top of the square and one on the side, it helps my phlange to stick in those problem areas. Thank you so very much for all of your advice. Even though I've had my colostomy about eight years now, I appreciate learning new ideas, and you are just so sweet, a joy to watch your videos. Are you planning on doing more of your videos about your home life? I really enjoyed watching those. Take care!! 😊💕

I am still going through this after a year...it does get a little better then bam back to being a hell of a lot worse than yours..believe me..

Cyanoacrylate is superglue. It was invented to stick skin together. Interesting.

Wow, why would youtube have an issue with your other video and what do they think demonitizing will achieve? Sorry it happened as the videos are so educational for others with a stoma to see, and just curious to know how youtube works

Love your sweater!!!

OMG, I have also named my stoma lol I knew I e wasn't alone in that area. I named mine Wilbur 🤷 it was funny and I needed a laugh while I was in the hospital. 3 years with Wilbur...phew we've been through a lot. Thank you for your video.

Found that working out at the gym, and perspiring caused a nasty rash and breakout. Finally cleared it up by: 1. stopped going to the gym, 2 changed appliance brands, and 3 used liquid bandage, or Nu Skin - which is apparently very much like Marathon. Two coats applied with my fingers after barrier spray. Good luck all you estimates!

Thank you for the explanation of stoma powder. I never understood what it was good for

I really thing you guys use to many chemicals. I only ever use warm water 100%. My products I use are Eakin Rings #839005 Then I use a two piece Hollister Base #13403 and pouch #18183 and I have never had a skin problem or leak. I think this is mainly because I do exactly the same thing to the letter every time, I never rush it and I wait till the skin is 100% dry. Please try just warm water.

Thank you. This was very informative!

Thanks for the tips I have trouble getting my bags to stick I was 63 pounds when I had my surgery and was diagnosed I'm 110 now but all the creases are a hassle. Also I have a hernia right next to it and to top I'd off a fistula so I have a small bag as well,I'm not heavy enough to have surgery to fix it right now.

Hi Maggie, I haven’t had a stoma bag but I did have a pump put into my lower belly from a zipper surgery after ovarian cancer. I do have a reaction to anything with Latex, which will give me blistering on my skin and these then weep when the seal comes off. The only way around this is to see if they have a non- latex product, or ask the pharmacy at the hospital if the know of any other alternative. I hope this might help you with why your skin has such a bad reaction. Best of Luck ❤

Cant wait

I had almost this reaction to my Matrifen patches it feels like a burn

I know this sounds crazy but have you tried breast milk or colostrum from a donor bank or a friend? Just around your skin it’s 100 percent safe and I’ve heard tons of women use it for different skin conditions! Love your videos ❤️ Stay well and keep going

I really appreciate your videos. This one was of special interest to me. I've been an ostomate for less than a year. BTW my stoma's name is: Poohy Vuitton

Thank you for new information

Thank you Maggie very informative video! 💗

I still 💖 the intro!

I’ve had my stoma for over 25 years when I first had it there was a product you could get to protect skin. That was discontinued the stoma nurse suggested the orange inhaler it has worked for me for years. During the summer the humidity does affect my skin and I need to change it more often

I just clicked on the link to order, but it is mentioning a buisness license?

I use Granoflex dressing before baseplate in case of damaged skin.

problem I had was stoma size changed, output damaged skin, used Calmoseptine after the bag is off, put small amt. on, waited, then use tissue to wipe it off, put bag on,

To much information, but thank you for your expertise

I have a super weird potentially stupid question. Does having a stoma put you at any risk for like infection kind of like a wound would? I’ve always wondered that!

I have a problem with adhesives they make my skin red and itchy. I use a mist of Flonase right after I clean my skin.

Please show me how to use the brava sheets .

I enjoy watching your video I learn some stuff When I get irritated I air out I'll take the wagerer off n put some ad ointment on n continue to air out.untill it drys n have a toilet paper to catch ofit goes. Heck your leaving it on 4 3 2 4 days it's going to happen

I have a reaction to some plasters do have a stomach but work in care and have worked with clients who have one

I refuse to use stoma paste anymore. I found it impossible to get off my skin and it burned with contact on my skin. I use thick barrier rings instead and my skin is happier. I use no sting anti adhesive wipes when changing my bags cause they don’t hurt. Learned that when I had my temp Ostomy and the home nurse used no sting wipes. Remembered when I got rid of my jpouch in 2019. But so much has changed since 1998 in stoma care and ostomies.

Thank you!

Do you have to get Marathon thru a subscription or is it at a medical supply store?

I have skin irritations for the past 8 months i am so tired of been in pain

@LetsTalkIBD Have you tried skinister spray to help your bag stick . This changed my life on those bags

Isnt cyanacrolate superglue?

Please let me know what bags are the best.Either the bag leaks or rolls off.

I use a ring on my husbands stoma and don’t know that it’s beneficial. I notice you don’t use one. Please help!! He also lays down while I put it on and don’t know if that could be an issue.😢

Did you know cyanoacrylate is literally a type of superglue?

I am a medical professional but I dont have a stoma care nurse or any thing

I am now over 12 months from my op .skin very sore can I put cream on it!?baz in bolton

My stoma is named Oklastoma😊.

Thanks so much for doing this video, as this and the video on hydration are the most issues that anyone with a bag will have at sometime. As there are so many people with stomas or fistulas who wear bags and use the associated products, there should be better products, stoma powders and barrier sprays and rings could be a lot better, rings could stick better, and why include alcohol in paste, stings like crazy doesn't make sense

Since you are using such a small amount of the Marathon...does the unused material dry in the tube, or do you get multiple uses out of a tube?

Hollister does that to my skin..

My dad had the same problem but much worser cuz he really skinny like so he had alot of problem sticking it he managed but recently got sick andeven more skinnier so now he having problem sticking snd lesking everywhere i will inform my mom with your method it might help

how do you wear pants or jeans. seems like if you wear them below the stoma your pants want to fall down and they dont make pants or jeans to wear up high over your stoma?

What is marathon and where do you get it?

Maggie could u plz tell me where to get the Marathon? I have had my stoma for two years and my skin has been horrible the whole time! My stoma is very oddly shaped with the upper half being an outtie and the bottom very much an innie!! Which points my output right under my flange. Speaking of my flange it is the most convex one I can find. Don’t know if it matters but I also use the Sensura Mio but mine is the “Click” if that is different than yours. In closing I love ur channel and you r sooo informative!!! Thank u for all you do!!!!

Getting ready to have rectum removal surgery What’s the recovery like I have already had my colon removed Just want to be mentally ready for this

I changed 5 bags or more per day its very unbearable

I'm having that problem now my frangs don't want to stick

😊

I named my stoma Lilly

😍

Who sells marathon?

My cecostomy is horrible on my skin 😭

That's me but worse