Home / Managing stoma granulomas

Managing stoma granulomas

Hear from Sarah our Clinical Advisor

From A Bigger Life

What is a stoma granuloma?

One of the most common reasons ostomates request a review appointment is that they have noticed some bleeding around their stoma. One of the most common reasons for this is a little thing called a granuloma, this usually occurs at the junction of where the stoma joins onto the skin. This is thought to be due to where the sutures have been and an irritation at the mucocutaneous junction. Another reason people think this happens is from irritation of the faecal enzymes.

What does a granuloma look like

You will notice that you have a little red raised area, it can occur on the stoma itself. If you discover these little red lumps and it does bleed or feel a bit painful you should visit your stoma nurse as there is things that can be done to help you manage this situation.

Treating a granuloma

The first thing the nurse will do for you is measure the template of your bag that your cutting or have already got pre cut. It is really important that the bag is as neat a size as possible to the stoma as the more contact with the mucocutaneous junction or the peristomal skin can develop other problems.

If you are diagnosed that you do have a granuloma you will be wondering what the best treatment for this is. According to the most recent guidelines for the stoma care nurses the first line of treatment would be using a silver nitrate pencil. What the nurse will do is just press the pencil down on the granuloma causing it to reduce in size. You will need to go back to the hospital for around 4 weeks, 1 day each week to have the treatment repeated.

Another tip that works well is once the nurse has treated the granuloma, put on a seal or a washer over the top of the treatment area helping to press down on the granuloma.

There is no real way to prevent granulomas occuring. They can re occur again even thought they have been treated.

If you do find after this blog post when you look at your stoma you do have little swellings at that junction but they aren’t causing you any harm or aren’t bleeding excessively, you don’t need them treated but if you notice it getting worse then do contact your stoma nurse.