Stoma Infection Signs, Causes, Treatment, & Prevention

A stoma is a surgical opening created as an alternative to passing waste through the colon and rectum. The stoma allows feces to pass through it, exiting from the abdomen outside of the body. A stoma can be temporary or permanent; if temporary, it will eventually close up and disappear on its own. If permanent, a stoma will need to be regularly cared for and monitored by your doctor. One common problem with stomas is infection: this occurs when bacteria enter the stoma tract and causes inflammation that blocks the flow of stool out of your body. As a matter of fact, any infection within the digestive tract (that includes the mouth) can cause dental problems and affect our overall health. Hence, tooth infections and other dental problems should not be overlooked. Read on for more information about stoma infection signs and symptoms, prevention tips, treatment options, and more!

Understanding Stoma

In anatomy, a stoma is any opening in the body. Natural stomata include a mouth, a nose, and an anus. As needed, any hollow organ may be converted to an artificial stoma. The esophagus, stomach, ileum, colon, duodenum, pleural cavity, urinary bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis.

Additionally, the stoma is often used for liver, kidney, and colon transplants. It is also used in operations for some cancer treatments.

What Are The Different Types?

Depending on the technique utilized to create them, the stoma can be classified into numerous categories:

Colostomy

A stoma is an opening in your abdomen that bypasses your rectum and is created from part of your large intestine, often called the colon. You might get a permanent stoma if the doctor removes the lower part of your colon. A colostomy might be necessary if you have a blockage in your colon, a colon injury, or colon or rectal cancer.

Urostomy

Your doctor will construct a pouch from your small intestine. They’ll link your ureters to the bag so that urine can flow out of your body without going through your bladder. If your bladder is unhealthy or damaged, you might require a urostomy.

Ileostomy

A stoma is a hole in your small intestine that allows waste to bypass your colon and rectum. This is the most frequent temporary stoma, although this type can also be permanent. If you have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or bowel cancer, you may require an ileostomy.

What To Expect

You’ll be put under general anesthesia before having an ileostomy or colostomy operation to create a stoma. Before producing the stoma, your doctor will first remove any diseased or damaged portions of your intestines.

You’ll be given instructions on caring for your stoma and ostomy appliance after surgery. You’ll need to rest for a few days and avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks following discharge from the hospital. While your body adjusts, your doctor may suggest you follow a low-fiber diet for the first few months.

You may notice that you have a lot of gas around the first few weeks after surgery, which is quite typical. Your stoma may also shrink during the first few months, which is natural and part of healing.

Following surgery, most patients can return to work in approximately six to eight weeks.

What Are The Three Major Problems Associated with Having a Stoma?

There are three major problems associated with having a stoma:

• Stoma infection, which is a common complication that can occur when the stoma is not well cared for;
• Stoma leakage, which can cause clothes and bedding to become wet and stained; and
• Stoma prolapse, which occurs when stoma contents protrude through the stoma opening.

What is a Stoma Infection

Stoma infection is an inflammation of stoma caused by staphylococcus bacteria. Staphylococcus bacterium can cause stomatitis which is sometimes referred to as stomatitis aphthosa.

A stomatitis or stoma infection is an infection that can occur around the stoma, which is the opening created in the abdomen following surgery to divert urine and stool. The most common symptoms of a stoma infection are redness, swelling, and pain around the stoma. A stoma infection may also cause fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.

Symptoms of stoma infection

The symptoms of stoma infection can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual, but can include:

Purulent stomatitis

The stoma may become covered in a thick, yellowish-white coating that resembles cottage cheese. This is caused by an accumulation of staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria.

Fever

A fever is one of the most common symptoms of stoma infection. In fact, if you have oral infections, you might experience a toothache and fever. These indications usually come together.

Swelling and redness around the stoma

The stoma may become swollen and red due to inflammation.

Pus discharge from the stoma

A pus discharge is a common sign of stoma infection. Remember that any damage in the peristomal skin caused by leakage, allergic contact dermatitis, or other chronic skin problems increases the risk of this condition.

Pain or tenderness around the stoma

You may experience pain or tenderness around the stoma if you have a stoma infection.

Swelling of nearby lymph glands

The stoma may become swollen and red due to inflammation, leading to the development of stomas infection. This may cause swelling and tenderness in the lymph nodes, like those in your neck or under your arms. If left untreated, stomas infection can result in stomatitis.

Stomach cramps

Stomas infection may cause stomach cramping, usually on the lower left side of the abdomen just above the stoma site.

Nausea or vomiting

You may experience nausea or vomiting, both early signs of stoma infection.

Skin irritation near the stoma

Stomas infection can change the color of your stoma site, making it appear pink or red. You may also notice scaly, irritated skin that feels painful to touch.

Treatments for stomas infection depend on the severity of stomas infection. In any case, seek medical treatment or call your doctor or stoma care nurse immediately if you experience stomas infection symptoms.

Causes Of Stoma Infections

Several factors can contribute to the development of stoma infection. The following are some of the most common causes:

Improper stoma care

One of the most common causes of stoma infection is improper stoma care. This includes failing to clean the stoma and surrounding area adequately, not frequently changing the stoma bag, and not keeping the stoma dry.

Use of unclean supplies

Suppose you use unclean stoma supplies, such as stoma bags or adhesive strips. In that case, it can increase your risk of developing a stoma infection.

Contamination by bacteria or other organisms

Suppose the stoma becomes contaminated by bacteria, stoma fluid, or pouching stoma systems that are not sterile. In that case, it can increase your risk of developing a stoma infection.

Presence of stoma fistula

Stoma fistulas allow the discharge to pass directly through the stoma and potentially contribute to stomas infection. They can also make you more susceptible to skin infections.

Weakened immune system

If your immune system is weakened, you may be more likely to develop a stoma infection.

Stoma infections can be caused by bacteria that make their way through the stoma opening, or they may occur due to an existing skin infection. Stomas become irritated quickly and may also experience scar tissue build-up following surgery or injury to this area.

When Should I Be Worried About My Stoma?

If you have a stoma, it is essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms of stoma infection. The most common symptoms of stoma infection include redness, swelling, pain, drainage from the stoma, sore skin, fever, and chills. Also, remember that any infection in the digestive tract, including the mouth, requires immediate treatment. You can consult the dentists from BDC Chatswood today if you think the issue comes from your mouth and not from your stoma site.

Stoma staph often begins as a small pimple or blister that could be mistaken for a boil. However, stoma staph will quickly spread and grow in size after a few days. People with stomas should seek medical attention to prevent stoma staph from getting worse. So, if you feel you have a stoma staph infection, you should not try to treat it yourself by popping the staph sores or applying home remedies. Stoma staph is resistant to many antibiotics and can become worse if treated incorrectly.

Treatments For Stoma Infections

Most stoma infections can be treated with antibiotics. Treatment will depend on the type of stoma infection. In fact, it may include taking antibiotics by mouth, through a vein (IV), or directly into the stoma. If the condition is severe, you may need to be hospitalized.

In case you have a stoma infection, taking all of the antibiotics prescribed is essential, even if you feel better. If you do not finish the course of antibiotics, the condition may come back and be more challenging to treat.

Preventing stoma infections is essential. Some things you can do to help avoid stoma infections include:

• Keeping your stoma and surrounding area clean
• Washing your stoma and hands before touching the stoma
• Keeping stoma bags clean and changed regularly
• Changing stoma ostomy supplies as prescribed by your doctor
• Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly
• Clean and rinse the stoma with hydrogen peroxide after every bowel movement.
• Clean and rinse your skin with a gentle skin cleanser each day; pat dry instead of rubbing.
• Also, use an emollient on your skin as needed to keep it moisturized.
• If you have a stoma irrigation system, use it as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools or bodies of water.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing around the stoma to allow air circulation.
• Last, do not smoke.

Takeaway

If you have a stoma, it is essential to know the signs and symptoms of an infection. Infections can cause fever or chills, pain in your abdomen or side near where the bag attaches to your body, nausea, and vomiting. If these symptoms persist for more than 24 hours after starting antibiotics, you should immediately see your doctor.

Another sign that could indicate an infection is if there are streaks of blood in the stool when you wipe yourself clean with toilet paper. Sometimes ulcers may develop on the skin around the stoma site, which could indicate inflammation due to bacteria trapped under bandages at this area. A quick way to tell whether or not something might be wrong with your gut health is by monitoring what comes.

Reference:

What Is A Stoma?

https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/stoma/what-is-a-stoma/

The Function of the Colon.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-colon-796819

Overview – Ileostomy

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ileostomy/