Stoma Care: Understanding and Managing Common Issues

A doctor may create a stoma during a surgical procedure. A stoma connects the lower portion of the colon to the outside of the belly and is used to eliminate fecal waste from the body into a pouch.

Red Wet Skin

• According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a waste pouch may not effectively seal around a stoma if the skin around the stoma opening is red or wet. Patients should report this skin condition to a doctor and they may use prescribed medicine to treat the skin.

Leaking

• The skin around a stoma may become inflamed and sore if the stoma leaks. If this occurs, patients may need medical help to reduce the inflammation.

Hair

• Hair on the skin around a stoma may prevent a pouch from effectively sticking to the skin. Patients may need to shave hair that grows on areas of skin surrounding the stoma.

Longer Stoma

• A stoma may become longer and stick out of the belly more than usual. Individuals may apply ice wrapped inside a towel or another cold compress to the stoma in order to reduce its length.

Bleeding

• Patients may notice slight bleeding when they clean a stoma. Problems related to stoma bleeding should be reported to a doctor.