Peristomal skin damage: assessment, prevention and treatment

The majority of ostomates experience peristomal complications, the most common of which is skin damage. Healthy peristomal skin is essential for pouch adherence, which prevents effluent from seeping onto the skin. The aim of good stoma management is to prevent peristomal skin soreness and, if this arises, to minimise its effects. Practitioners need to have a good understanding of the causes of skin breakdown and how to treat and prevent it. Appliances and accessories need to be assessed to ensure they are appropriate for each individual stoma to prevent leakage of effluent and maintain healthy peristomal skin. Several strategies and products can be used to protect and treat the skin, including barrier creams and films, powders, pastes, seals, cleansers, lotions and stoma accessories. Misuse of products can affect patient care and clinical outcomes, and increase costs. Good-quality stoma care patient education improves outcomes, is part of good-quality care and boosts efficiency in nursing services. This article focuses on good skin care regimens, preventing skin damage, particularly peristomal damage, assessing and treating specific peristomal skin conditions, and patient education.