FACEPLATE -----WHEN YOUR FACEPLATE WON’T STICK

It is most aggravating to have one’s faceplate loosen or leak before the regular time to change it. Sometimes finding the reason for the problem may be just as aggravating.

First, look to anything that can cause a change in the texture of the skin. If the problem has occurred since you have started taking vitamin pills or certain medication, this may be the cause of the problem. A subtle change in the skin can affect adhesion. Excessively oily skin can affect adhesion. Wiping the skin around the stoma with alcohol before applying the faceplate sometimes helps. Be sure the alcohol does not contain glycerin, as this kind of alcohol can hinder adhesion. The moisture from excessive perspiration can undermine the adhesive.

A cotton appliance cover is great for soaking up perspiration (it can also soak up moisture from a leak, giving you time to fix things before your clothing gets wet). Some ostomates find that wiping the skin around the stoma with an antiperspirant is helpful but, BEWARE this could cause severe skin irritation.

The dry skin of winter can be a problem. A humidifier may he helpful. If you can afford only a room humidifier, keep it in the bedroom. Also make sure your fluid intake is adequate. A change in weight, either gain or loss, can cause a change in the contour of the abdomen which will affect adhesion.

Keeping one’s weight constant is the best solution. Remember, new ostomates, especially if you were ill a long time and suffered a significant weight loss, it may take you a while to return to weight that is normal for you. Also your skin is in the process of adjusting to constantly wearing an appliance and it may take a while for it to toughen up.

Stoma size may change significantly too, within the first year, having the tendency to shrink as the body heals. Keep in touch with your ET to insure your pouch is the correct fit.

One more caution to keep in mind is that there may be a time when your body no longer tolerates its current appliance, no matter how successful it had been before. But have not fear, the market is inundated with products and surely there is something else that will suit you just as well. (Let’s be glad we are ostomates in the 90’s & 2000’s who have the luxury of choice and variety of appliance rather than in the 60’s and before, when choice was much more limited!)

Ed’s Note: Check out the following page for what our predecessors had to put up with..!

Contact dermatitis (skin rash) is a common happening for many ostomates at one time or another. If it clears quickly, it usually doesn’t cause any problems with the adhesiveness of the faceplate. However, if it becomes “weepy or oozy” the adhesive will not stick and the rash must be dried up as soon as possible.