Make sure the skin is completely dry before applying your stoma bag and do not use creams on the skin as these can interfere with adhesion. It is also important to ensure your pouch fits snugly around your stoma. Sometimes excessive sweating can prevent your bag from sticking - using a non-perfumed antiperspirant underneath the adhesive may help.
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Leaks can occur for a variety of different reasons. The following are some reasons why leaks can occur:-
- Stoma bag hole is too large – needs to be a snug fit
- Stoma bag is applied incorrectly e.g. creases in adhesive and abdominal skin behind the bag needs to be gently stretched
- Skin too moist – make sure skin is dry before applying the stoma bag
- Stoma is in a dip or crease – try paste or washers or FreeStyle Curvex (Closed and Drainable) with a 3D malleable adhesive which gently conforms to the body’s shape
- Stoma is flat or retracted – you may need a stoma bag with a convex flange such as FreeStyle Convex (Closed and Drainable) but you need to see a stoma care nurse first
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It is very rare to have a reaction to a pouch as the materials that are used are constantly tested and evaluated for skin friendliness. If you have suffered from a skin reaction the first thing you should do is check that you have not used something different in your normal routine i.e. change of soap or barrier wipe. If there is no difference in your normal procedure, you may have to change your product and see if the problem goes away.
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Pancaking occurs when a vacuum occurs in the stoma bag and the bag sticks together preventing the contents from going to the bottom. Faeces remain at the top of the bag with potential blocks of the filter and the bag can also be forced off the body. One tip is to blow air into the pouch, which will help to stop a vacuum occurring. A drop of oil opposite the aperture can sometimes help the output to slide to the bottom of the pouch. Also some people find that rolling up toilet paper to form a cigarette shape and dropping it into the pouch helps.
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There are a number of options as follows:-
- Wrap the whole of the soiled stoma bag up and dispose of it in a refuse bag for waste disposal.
- Cut the bottom off the soiled pouch and empty the contents down the toilet then wrap the pouch for waste disposal.
- If you have a colostomy you can try FreeStyle Flushable.
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