One in 500 people in the UK live with a stoma. Up to 85% of ostomates have experienced common problems such as skin irritation, blockage, leakage, and difficulty attaching and removing appliances, but many do not seek professional help¹. One study identified that approximately one third of patients with a stoma who were followed up over a 5-year study period had evidence of skin complications within 90 days of surgery². This, in turn, leads to increased healthcare costs, increased product use, wastage and unnecessary referrals to specialist stoma services.
 

Peristomal skin complications vary, with the most common types including peristomal moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), irritant dermatitis, hypersensitivity and allergic responses of the skin, and mechanical damage related to the use of medical adhesives in various pouching systems (MARSI)³. 
 

The skin is the largest organ in the body and performs vital functions to keep the body safe from external forces; Peristomal skin is vulnerable due to regular removal and application of ostomy adhesive pouches and leakage of faecal or urinary fluid⁴once the skin integrity is broken, it causes pain, risk of infection and reduced quality of life. Preventing moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) must be at the forefront of stoma care management.