There are approximately 100,000 people in the United Kingdom living with a stoma (Lee, 2001). Each year in Great Britain, 20,000 new stomas are formed. Skin problems are a common occurrence among this patient group. Careful and thorough history taking will often give clues to the cause of the problem and in combination with a careful physical examination, a correct diagnosis can be made. Simple measures to treat skin excoriation can then be implemented, or in some cases, the patient may require referral to a stoma care nurse for specialist treatment and advice.
