The journey to better skin health

Many of you are aware of the positive impact Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) have on lung health and voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. However, caring for the skin around your stoma can come with some challenges. Here, Bob shares his experience with his Atos Care Head and Neck nurse and the assessment, treatment and care tips that helped him on the journey to better skin health.

Bob was referred to the nursing service due to suspected severe reactions to his adhesives. His skin appeared red, moist, warm, and painful. Bob typically used Provox Xtrabase adhesive and Provox Xtramoist HME when outside, leaving his stoma open the rest of the time. At night, he attempted to use a Larytube, however often found this too uncomfortable to place due to his painful skin.

Bob’s routine showed that he wasn’t always consistent in using barrier wipes, adhesive removers, and cleaning towels.

Where Bob lived was warm and humid with poor airflow, this caused sweating and further skin issues. A skin assessment showed that he had a fungal infection, which required a seven-day prescription of an antifungal cream with steroids. Bob was advised to only wear an adhesive when outdoors and to use his Larytube.

His nurse carried out an adhesive patch test to see if he had an allergic reaction, but the test was negative.

Adopting a skincare routine became a priority for Bob, and he was advised to use barrier films to protect against moisture and sweat. Adhesive removers were recommended to minimise stripping of the skin. He was also advised to switch to single-use sachets of Optilube to prevent contamination.

Skin complications are common challenges when you have a laryngectomy stoma and are often caused by various factors. Accurate assessment is important for maintaining good skin health and your clinician will need to distinguish between different conditions, such as fungal infections and skin reactions.

The skin around a stoma (peristomal skin) is prone to various issues due to its constant exposure to moisture and potential irritants. A skin assessment can detect complications early and ensure appropriate treatments are provided. This will allow the continued use of HMEs to improve lung health and in turn, help you to have a better quality of life. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the skin around your stoma.