A stoma dressing for use by ostomy patients comprising an underlying fluid impermeable layer having an adhesive edge a highly absorbent core fixedly superimposed on the underlying fluid impermeable layer and totally encircled by the adhesive edge a groove running the entire outer perimeter of the middle highly absorbent core and a bead of skin healing/skin protecting cream or ointment filling the groove. In use, the stoma dressing is placed over the stoma in a manner that the top of the highly absorbent core and the adhesive edge of the impermeable layer face the skin and stoma of the patient. When lightly pressed against the skin such that the adhesive edge adheres to the patients skin, the bead of cream or ointment in the groove spreads on the patients skin around the outer perimeter of the middle absorbent core, to create a skin area that is protected from the stoma effluents without interfering with the adhesive properties of the adhesive edge of the dressing.
