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| Applying an extra skin barrier, such as a wipe, helps protect the skin if stool leaks around the pouch. Wipe it in a circle around the stoma. Then let it dry for 1 minute before putting on a new pouch. |
Check the stoma
Check the stoma and the skin around it each time you/your child changes your pouch. Have your child stand in front of a mirror, or use a hand mirror so that you/your child can see all the way around the stoma. It should look shiny, moist, and dark pink or red. The skin around it should be smooth, with no red or broken spots.
Clean around the stoma
Clean around the stoma with warm tap water and a soft paper towel each time you/your child changes the pouch. Water does not harm the stoma. Your child can even take a bath or shower without the pouch if they want. Key things to know:
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There are no nerves in the stoma, so there is no feeling. Be sure the stoma is gently cleaned and dried. You/your child could injure the stoma without knowing it.
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The stoma may bleed a little when cleaned. That is because there are tiny blood vessels in the tissue.
Protect the skin around the stoma
For the pouch to stick well, the skin around the stoma needs to be dry and smooth. If the skin is moist or uneven, the pouch is more likely to leak. A leaky pouch will irritate the skin. It can also cause odor:
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To help keep the skin healthy, pat it dry after washing it.
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Apply a skin barrier film before you put on a new pouch (as directed by your healthcare provider). This helps protect the skin if stool leaks around the pouch.
Common causes of skin problems
Common causes include the following:
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A leaking pouch can make the skin red and weepy. Use a measuring guide to check that the opening on the pouch is the correct size.
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Hair under the pouch can make the skin inflamed. To avoid this, shave off any hair your child has around the stoma with an electric razor. Always shave away from the stoma.
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Allergies to skin barriers can make the skin itch, burn, or sting. If this happens, your child may need to try a new skin barrier or change to a new kind of pouch.
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Yeast infections can make the skin red and itchy. Sweat under the pouch makes these infections more likely. A pouch cover can help keep the skin dry.
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When to call your child's ostomy nurse, ostomy specialist or other healthcare provider
Contact your child's healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
- The skin around the stoma is red, weepy, bleeding, or broken.
- The skin around the stoma itches, burns, stings, or has white spots.
- The stoma swells, changes color, or bleeds without stopping.
- The stoma becomes even with or sinks below the skin, or it sticks up more than normal.
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© 2000-2019 The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your health care provider with permission from the publisher.