A bulge in the skin around your stoma. Skin color changes from normal pink or red to pale, bluish purple, or black. 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.

What should a health stoma look like?

A healthy stoma is pinkish-red and moist. Your stoma should stick out slightly from your skin. It is normal to see a little mucus. Spots of blood or a small amount of bleeding from your stoma is normal.

When should I be worried about my stoma?

Signs of Stoma Problems Discuss any of these signs with your healthcare provider: The swelling does not decrease in the weeks following surgery or has a very large increase in size unexpectedly. The stoma is no longer beefy red or pink, but pale in appearance. The stoma is no longer moist in appearance or seems dry.

What color is a healthy stoma?

A normal stoma is moist and pink or red colored. When you first see your colostomy, it may appear dark red and swollen, with bruises. Dont worry. Within a few weeks, the color will lighten and bruises should disappear.

What does a retracted stoma look like?

A retracted stoma is where the stoma no longer lies on the abdominal wall, but appears sunken or in a dip. This type of stoma is relatively common, and can pose occasional challenges. Leakage, sore skin and difficulties with appliance management sometimes result from having a retracted stoma.

What can be done for a retracted stoma?

Stoma retraction can lead to skin irritation and improper fixation of the stoma appliance. In mildly symptomatic cases, a convex faceplate and a tight belt may be used to control leakage around the appliance. Significant retraction requires operative revision. A local repair is the preferred initial approach.

Is having a stoma classed as a disability?

For those of us with a stoma and underlying medical conditions then PIP (Personal Independence Payment) may well be a thing that you may be able to claim. For those who arent aware, PIP is a disability benefit that can be claimed even if you work. It is a benefit that is not means-tested.

Is it normal for a stoma to protrude?

Retracted Stoma A stoma will normally protrude slightly above the skin level. The length of the protrusion will depend on whether you have a colostomy or ileostomy (ileostomies tend to protrude further out) and the size of your bowel.

Is a retracted stoma serious?

A retraction of the stoma is when the stoma lays flat to the skin or below skin surface level. This retraction can become problematic as it can affect the fit of your stoma bag and cause leaks, which can lead to sore and broken skin.

Can a retracted stoma be fixed?

Stoma retraction can lead to skin irritation and improper fixation of the stoma appliance. In mildly symptomatic cases, a convex faceplate and a tight belt may be used to control leakage around the appliance. Significant retraction requires operative revision. A local repair is the preferred initial approach.

Why does a stoma stop working?

A blockage, also known as a bowel obstruction, leads to the output from your stoma slowing down or even stopping completely. The latter can happen suddenly. Blockages can occur either in the small or large bowel. A blockage can be described as partial or complete.