Illustration of healthy peristomal skin with grid overlay representing the PLS assessment scale.

Is Your Ostomy Skin Protected? Introducing the Peristomal Lesion Scale

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new tool offers better ways to monitor and manage skin health around your stoma, preventing complications and improving quality of life."

Living with an ostomy brings significant changes, and for many, it can also bring skin complications around the stoma. It's estimated that a considerable percentage of ostomates – anywhere from 15% to 43% – experience skin issues in the peristomal area. These complications can affect your comfort, confidence, and overall well-being.

That's why consistent and accurate skin assessment is crucial. Stomal therapy centers, staffed by specialized nurses, play a vital role in providing care and managing these skin complications. To ensure you receive the best possible care and maintain a good quality of life, healthcare professionals need reliable tools to properly assess your skin's condition.

Now, there's a new tool designed to do just that: the Peristomal Lesion Scale (PLS). This scale aims to provide a more detailed and standardized way to classify skin lesions based on their severity. Let's explore what the PLS is, how it was developed, and how it can potentially improve peristomal skin management.

What is the Peristomal Lesion Scale (PLS)?

Illustration of healthy peristomal skin with grid overlay representing the PLS assessment scale.

The Peristomal Lesion Scale (PLS) is a skin assessment tool designed to classify lesions based on their severity. It was developed to improve upon existing methods and offer a more reliable way for healthcare professionals to assess peristomal skin. Key features include:

The PLS developers focused on several key areas to ensure it was comprehensive and easy to use:

Patient Demographics: Captures essential information like age, gender, and overall health status.
Clinical Characteristics: Considers existing health conditions, current therapies, and the type of ostomy.
Lesion Classification: Details the specific type, size, severity, and location of the lesion using standardized terminology.
Topography: Maps the precise location and extension of the lesion around the stoma.

In short, the PLS offers a structured approach to evaluating peristomal skin, taking into account various factors to provide a comprehensive assessment.

Why the PLS Matters for Your Ostomy Care

The Peristomal Lesion Scale represents a step forward in how healthcare professionals assess and manage peristomal skin. By providing a more detailed, standardized, and comprehensive assessment, the PLS can lead to:

<ul><li>Earlier detection of skin problems: The PLS's detailed approach may help identify issues before they become severe.</li><li>More tailored treatment plans: Accurate assessment allows for treatment strategies that address the specific type and severity of the lesion.</li><li>Improved communication: Standardized terminology ensures clear communication between healthcare providers and patients.</li><li>Better monitoring over time: The PLS allows for consistent tracking of skin changes, helping to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.</li></ul>

If you have an ostomy, talk to your stomal therapy nurse or healthcare provider about the Peristomal Lesion Scale and how it might benefit your care. Proactive skin assessment is key to maintaining your comfort, confidence, and overall quality of life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/iwj.13052, Alternate LINK

Title: Design And Validation Of A “Peristomal Lesion Scale” For Peristomal Skin Assessment

Subject: Dermatology

Journal: International Wound Journal

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Giulia Menin, Gabriele Roveron, Maria Barbierato, Angela Peghetti, Renzo Zanotti

Published: 2018-12-13

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is the Peristomal Lesion Scale (PLS) and what is it used for?

The Peristomal Lesion Scale, or PLS, is a new assessment tool designed to classify skin lesions around an ostomy based on their severity. It's designed to offer healthcare professionals a more reliable and detailed way to assess peristomal skin compared to existing methods.

What specific areas or factors does the Peristomal Lesion Scale (PLS) take into account when assessing skin around an ostomy?

The Peristomal Lesion Scale considers patient demographics such as age, gender, and overall health, relevant clinical characteristics like existing health conditions and therapies, detailed lesion classification covering type, size, severity and location with standardized terminology, and topography, which maps the lesion's precise location and extension around the stoma.

What is the role of stomal therapy centers in managing peristomal skin health?

Stomal therapy centers, staffed by specialized nurses, play a vital role in managing skin complications around the stoma. These centers offer specialized care and guidance, helping ostomates address issues like peristomal lesions and maintain optimal skin health. Regular visits and consultations with these centers are essential for preemptive care.

Why was the Peristomal Lesion Scale (PLS) developed, and what problems does it aim to solve in ostomy care?

The development of the Peristomal Lesion Scale addresses the crucial need for a standardized and reliable method to assess peristomal skin. Before the PLS, the lack of a comprehensive tool could lead to inconsistencies in assessment and treatment. By incorporating patient demographics, clinical characteristics, lesion classification, and topography, the PLS offers a holistic approach to evaluation. This standardized approach ensures that all relevant factors are considered, leading to more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans, ultimately improving the quality of life for ostomates.

How significant are peristomal skin complications for individuals with an ostomy, and what impact can they have on their lives?

Peristomal skin complications, which affect a notable percentage of ostomates, can significantly impact comfort, confidence, and overall well-being. Addressing these issues proactively through tools like the Peristomal Lesion Scale and consistent care from stomal therapy centers is crucial. Early identification and management of peristomal lesions can prevent further complications, reduce discomfort, and improve the long-term health and quality of life for individuals living with an ostomy.