What is Stoma Powder?

What is Stoma powder?

Stoma powder is a non-medicated powder that is designed to absorb moisture from raw or broken skin surrounding a stoma. Stoma powder is not made of the same type of powder that is found in baby powder or body talc. They should not be used interchangeably. Stoma powder is to be used around a stoma which is the result of an ostomy surgery. Stoma powder can be used with a colostomy, ileostomy, and/or urostomy. By absorbing moisture the stoma powder can help the ostomy barrier/flange to adhere better while allowing the skin around the stoma to heal. Ostomy stoma powder is not meant as a skin protectant and it will not prevent irritation. It is only meant to be used to absorb moisture from skin that is moist to the touch due to irritation. Stoma powder is also known as stomahesive powder, or peristomal skin protection.

Why is the Skin Around My Stoma Irritated?

Stomal skin can become irritated because of stomal output or leakage coming into contact with the skin surrounding your stoma. If your ostomy skin barrier is too large, too small, or the wrong size it can cause leaks. If your stoma is recessed or flush your stoma output could be leaking into or behind the wafer instead of going into the pouch which can cause leaks. Recessed or flush stomas require a convex ostomy system. If you are removing your ostomy barrier too often you could be tearing the top layer of skin which will cause irritations as well. Frequent pouch changes can cause this as well. The area of skin around your stoma should be as healthy as the skin anywhere on your body. Broken, raw, weeping skin can cause your ostomy pouch to not adhere. It is also painful. Skin that is moist and irritated should be evaluated by your medical professional. It is not normal and your medical team can help you find the best solution to the skin issues you are having.

How to Use Stoma Powder:

1. Wash and dry the skin around your stoma thoroughly
2. Apply a small amount of stoma powder to the irritated open skin
3. Only apply stoma powder to raw and moist skin
4. Gently brush away excess powder using a soft tissue. The powder will stick to the open raw skin.
5. No stoma powder should be left on the surrounding skin because it will not prevent irritation and it can interfere with the adhesion of your ostomy system
6. Once your skin heals and it is no longer moist, stop using the stoma powder, it is not meant to prevent skin irritation

What is Crusting with Skin Prep and Stoma Powder For?

Crusting is when you use stoma powder and then seal that stoma powder in place with a skin prep. After you apply the stoma powder using the above directions you can then seal the powder with a skin prep protective wipe or spray. It is important that the stoma powder is applied first. After the powder is in place, gently dab a sting-free skin prep wipe to the area around your stoma and the surrounding skin. This method is called "crusting" and it can help make the stoma powder work better. The best part about using the crusting method is that the skin that is not irritated is protected from adhesive and stomal discharge.

Here is a video from Hollister showing how easy it is to use Hollister Adapt Stoma Powder: