Why is Karaya Used in Ostomy Supplies?

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Karaya is often a material used in Ostomy supplies, including skin barriers and powders, but what exactly is Karaya, and why is it used?
Known as Karaya, or "Karaya gum" it is a veggie-based all natural product derived from the soft Sterculia urens tree indigenous to India and Pakistan. The karaya gum is produced by obtaining the gum by removing bark or drilling holes into the trunk of the tree. Recognized as harmless and non-toxic, Karaya is used in several items ranging from food emulsifiers, adhesives, laxitives, dentures, skin creams, and of course, ostomy supplies.
The greatest, most natural medical grade Karaya gum is transparent to white in coloring and also comes in natural powder form. From a chemistry standpoint, Karaya will absorb water rapidly and forms a "gum". With higher levels of water, Karaya forms a gel or paste and can soak up as much as 100 times its weight in water.
So, why is Karaya recommended in ostomy supplies?
Normally, you'll find Karaya either as a powder or used to skin color barriers/wafers.
Helps Reduce Bacterial Infections:
Karaya has chemical qualities to lessen bacterial adhesion, similar factors that make it excellent for denture adhesion.
Assists Irritated and Sensitive Epidermis:
Irritated skin is often a frequent affliction on the skin around the stoma, and Karaya's unique chemical properties permit it to develop a protective gel over the affected skin and take in excess moisture. This ensures theskin is protected prior to attaching a barrier and ostomy appliance on the skin. It's also very good for patients who may possibly have sensitive or fragile skin that does not accept synthetic skin barriers.

What kind of Karaya ostomy supplies are there to choose from?
Karaya Powder
Powder is applied prior to using a skin barrier, commonly for irritated skin to function as an extra level of defense against bacteria infections and to continue to keep the skin from further irritation because of the adhesion of the new barrier. When making use of the powder, it will absorb moisture from the skin to generate a sticky and mildly adhesive "gel". Powder is sold in little puff containers that make it easy to apply uniformly.
Karaya Paste
A karaya paste is applied to the skin to prevent irritation as well as even out irregular skin surfaces when an Ostomy product is used. The skin is protected from leakages by the normal hydrocolloid Karaya gum. The pastes are commonly sold in squeeze tubes.
Karaya Skin Barriers
Skin Barriers with normal Karaya provide many of the identical benefits; it avoids skin damaging organisms from growing on skin and offers some flexibility and convexity in the barrier, allowing it to adapt to abnormal stomas, flush stomas, or skin folds.
Continue to keep in mind Karaya skin barriers are only mildly adhesive so it's possible a tape border is essential for a strong adhesion.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Kyle Jindel writes on a number of home health topics for nurses, patients, and individuals. For Karaya Powder and more discount ostomy supplies from Hollister, Coloplast and Convatec, visit STLMedical.com.

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