Stoma powder is a non-drug powder that performs the role of absorbing moisture from the broken surface surrounding a stoma. Stoma powder is not comprised of the same components that make up baby powder and body talc and should therefore not be used interchangeably. One should apply Stoma powder around a stoma that arises from an ostomy surgical procedure. You can apply Stoma powder after either a urostomy, ileostomy, or a colostomy procedure.

When stoma powder absorbs the moisture, it aids the ostomy opening to heal, adapt better, and allow the skin surrounding the stoma to heal. The ostomy stoma powder is not designated as a skin protectant and therefore does not prevent irritation. It is only intended to absorb the moisture from the skin surface caused by the irritation. Stoma powder is also referred to as peristomal skin protection or also as stomahesive powder.

There are several causes for skin irritation around the stoma, and they include the following listed here. When stomal leakage or discharge contact the skin surface around the stoma area, irritation occurs. Another instance in which stoma skin area irritation occurs is when the ostomy baseplate is very big, very small, or is not the appropriate size for the ostomy opening. This instance results in stoma output leakages around the stoma area due to the appropriate space for the discharge being too small or too big. This leakage results in irritation around the stoma area as it comes into contact with the skin instead of getting into the stoma wafer that connects to an ostomy bag.

A flush stoma requires a convex ostomy system with wafers attached to the bag that contours inward toward the abdomen. Frequently removing an ostomy wafer could result in the tearing of the skin layer resulting in irritation. Frequent Changing of the pouch can also irritate.

The skin surface around the stoma should be as healthy as the skin from any other part of the body. Unhealthy and broken skin around the stoma area may cause the ostomy pouch not to attach as appropriately intended. Raw skin around the stoma area also causes pain and discomfort. When one experiences some skin irritation and any moist area around the stoma area, they should seek the help of a medical practitioner. Experiencing skin moistness and irritation is an indicator of ill health, and you should seek the help of a medical professional.

The following is a guide as to how one should use stoma powder. Wash with clean water and dry the skin surface surrounding the stoma thoroughly. Apply a small quantity of the stomahesive powder to the irritated skin area. You should only apply the powder should to moist skin only. Excess stoma powder should be brushed away gently with a soft piece of tissue. The applied powder sticks to the open moist skin. It would be best to sweep all the powder, not the loose skin avoid irritation and affect the ostomy system’s adhesiveness. When skin is fully healed, stoma powder application should stop.

Crusting is applying stoma powder and holding it in place using a skin prep. After applying the stomahesive following the above-stated procedure, it is sealed using a protective skin wipe by gently placing it on the area. It helps the stomahesive function better and does not irritate.