Mucus-discharge is a common part of having any type of stoma. Mucus is produced by the lining of the bowel to help with the passage of stools. The lining of the bowel will continue to produce mucus after stoma surgery, even though it is not needed anymore.
After having a stoma, some people may have discharge from the back passage. The discharge is mucus from the lining of the bowel. Mucus normally keeps the bowel moist and helps the poo (faeces or stools) to pass along the bowel.
Most people with stomas may have to go through a stoma infection. However, it is a possibility that anyone with a stoma should know about it. The first sign of a stoma infection may be a pus-like discharge, unusual swelling, increasing redness, or color changes.
The easiest way to clean your stoma site is to gently wash it with warm water using the dry wipes provided and then pat dry thoroughly using a clean dry wipe. Avoid using paper towels as these can get stuck to the stoma, always use dry cotton wipes.
To treat affected skin around the stoma you can use Stomahesive powder under the ostomy appliance. The powder is available from a medical surgical supplier.
You may wish to apply a skin barrier cream to the sore skin before applying your stoma pouch. This will help soothe any irritated skin. iLex is an extremely popular cream that many ostomates swear by.
What Does Granulation Tissue Look Like? Granulation tissue often appears as red, bumpy tissue that is described as “cobblestone-like” in appearance. It is highly vascular, and this is what gives this tissue its characteristic appearance. It is often moist and may bleed easily with minimal trauma.
Granulomas are red lumps that can appear on and around the edge of the stoma. They can be tender and may develop at any time. Sometimes rubbing from the wafer or base plate can increase the risk of granulomas occurring. Bleeding can happen and may interfere with the stoma bag adhesion.
Crusting refers to a skin care procedure where a “crust” is made using an ostomy powder and an alcohol-free barrier film. The crust helps protect the skin from stool and urine. When is it used? When skin is severely damaged or in other words, when skin is wet, weeping and denuded.
A rash around the stoma that is red, or red with bumps – this may be due to a skin infection or sensitivity, or even leakage. Wart-like, pimple-like or blister-like bumps under the skin barrier – this type of irritation can happen any time, even if you've used the same product for months or years.
Large areas of skin that are red, sore, and weeping (always wet) will keep you from getting a good seal around your stoma. It's important to treat minor irritations right away. If you have a large irritated area, or one that's getting larger despite special care, contact your doctor or ostomy nurse.
Infections around a stoma are rare, but can happen for various reasons so it is essential to have a good skin care regime in order to maintain healthy skin. Check your stoma and skin regularly each time you change your stoma appliance, which will help identify any new issues if they arise.
The peristomal skin (the skin around the stoma) will usually appear hot pink or strawberry red when a fungal infection is present. The skin may be intact or there may be places where the top layer of skin is missing, leaving an open wound that is red and moist (and tender).
Granulomas are small, red, raised areas on or around the stoma. They develop as a result of over-healing of damaged skin on the stoma surface, possibly due to friction from the bag. Some, but not all, stoma granulomas can cause bleeding and discomfort.
In fact, your care team may recommend that you leave it in place while you shower or take a bath. While soap isn't bad for the skin on or around your stoma, using it may loosen the skin barrier or make it less likely to stick. So only use water to clean around your stoma, and rinse your skin well if you do use soap.
Stoma necrosis presents as a stoma that appears either ischemic (dark red, purplish tint or cyanotic hue discoloration), or necrotic brown or black. The stoma may be flaccid or hard and dry. Necrosis may be circumferential or scattered on the mucosa and may be superficial or deep.
Many people enjoy leaving their skin uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes after taking their pouching system off. This is called a skin break. Taking a skin break can help with irritation or keep it from happening. You can decide if you want to take a skin break.
Small ulcerations can usually be treated with stoma powder or antimicrobial powder covered by a piece of hydrocolloid. A foam dressing over the ulceration is helpful if the ulcer is particularly moist.
If it does not come off easily, it is okay to leave it. Below the exudates, you may notice healthy, pink tissue growing over the wound. This is granulation tissue and is necessary for healing. New pink skin will grow from the edge to the center of the wound, over this granulation tissue.
The tissue (which can also appear pink or red) helps to repair and protect the area. If your granulation tissue appears to have fallen out, it's a sign that you have a dry socket.
To clean the skin around your stoma, all you really need to use is warm water and a washcloth (or good quality paper towels). The use of gauze or gloves is not usually necessary, although you can use them if you feel more comfortable.
Red or sore skin around your stoma is usually caused by leakage from your pouch and the output from your stoma getting underneath the appliance and onto your skin.