Discover how mouldable stoma seals can help protect your skin, prevent leaks, and improve the fit of your stoma pouch. Learn how to use a mouldable seal with step-by-step instructions, tips for getting the perfect fit and when to use them.
What are mouldable stoma seals?
Mouldable stoma seals – sometimes called washers, barrier rings, or doughnuts – are soft, flexible adhesive rings that fit around your stoma. Their main job is to create a secure, comfortable seal between your stoma and your pouch.
By filling in any dips, creases, or uneven areas of skin, mouldable seals help prevent stoma leaks. This helps to prevent stoma output from coming into contact with your skin, protects against irritation, and can even extend your pouch wear time.
Most mouldable seals are made from hydrocolloid, a gentle, absorbent material designed to stick comfortably to the skin while helping protect it from moisture and stoma output.
Why use a mouldable stoma seal?
A mouldable stoma seal can help create a smoother surface for your pouch to stick to, directing output into the pouch where it belongs – not onto your skin.
You might benefit from using a mouldable seal if you have:
Experienced small leaks under your pouch
Sore or irritated skin around your stoma
Dips, folds, or uneven areas near your stoma
How to choose the right stoma seal
Mouldable stoma seals come in different sizes, thicknesses, and levels of protection to suit different needs.
Inner diameter
Choose one slightly smaller than your stoma – it will stretch to fit snugly
Outer diameter
Should be large enough to provide a secure surface for your pouch to adhere to
Thickness
Thinner seals suit everyday wear and flatter skin; thicker seals work best for deep creases, uneven areas, or high-output stomas
How to apply a mouldable stoma seal
Follow these simple steps for a comfortable, secure fit:
Clean and dry the skin around your stoma
Remove the seal from its packaging
Warm it in your hands for about 30 seconds – this makes it softer and easier to shape
Stretch or shape the seal to fit snugly around your stoma. If needed, break it open, fit it around, and press the ends back together
Press gently around the seal to help it stick firmly to your skin
Apply your pouch, making sure it adheres securely to both the seal and surrounding skin and hold in place for 30–60 seconds
Tip – Some people prefer to place the mouldable seal directly onto the pouch flange before applying it. Try both methods to see what works best for you.
Watch a tutorial
Watch a step-by-step video demonstration from Sarah Brown, Educational Support Worker to see exactly how to shape and apply a mouldable stoma seal for the best fit and comfort.
View the video transcript +–
This is how to apply a mouldable seal. There are many types of seals available with different adhesive materials and sizes. HyperSeal Mouldable Seals with Manuka Honey are made from a hydrocolloid infused with medical-grade Manuka honey.
The hydrocolloid is flexible and mouldable, meaning it can adapt to different body types and shapes to create a personalised seal between the stoma and the flange. This helps reduce the risk of leaks by filling in dips, creases, and uneven areas – protecting the skin and supporting appliance wear time.
The HyperSeal range is available in different sizes and thicknesses to suit your needs, whether you have more liquid output or more complex contours around your stoma.
Here’s how to apply a HyperSeal Mouldable Seal:
- Take the HyperSeal mouldable seal out of the dispensing pack. The pack makes it easy to take out one seal at a time, and you can see how many you have left – so you’ll know when to reorder.
- Remove the seal from its individual protective wrapper.
- Make sure your stoma and the skin around it are clean and dry.
- Warm the seal in your hands for about 30 seconds. This makes it easier to shape and stick to your skin.
- Now gently stretch the seal to fit around your stoma. Or, if it’s easier, break the ring open, fit it around your stoma, and rejoin the ends.
- The seal should sit snugly around your stoma – close enough to stop leaks, but not tight or uncomfortable. There shouldn’t be large gaps around the edges.
- Apply gentle pressure around the seal to help it stick securely to your skin.
- Now apply your stoma pouch over the seal, making sure it sticks well to both the seal and the surrounding skin. Hold it in place for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Your mouldable seal is now forming a seal between your skin and your pouch – improving fit and reducing leaks.
Some people prefer to place the mouldable seal directly onto the flange first – lining it up with the hole – before applying the pouch. It’s all about finding what works best for you.
Mouldable seals can make a big difference in your stoma care – helping your pouch stay in place, protecting your skin, and reducing leaks. If you’re not sure which type is right for you, your stoma care nurse can help you choose and show you how to apply it.
Explore the HyperSeal® range
Choosing the right mouldable stoma seal can make all the difference to your comfort and confidence.
If you’re not sure which type suits your needs best, speak with your Stoma Care Nurse or contact our careline team for advice.
The ‘Everyday’ Protector
Our thinnest seal (2.5mm), offering a low-profile, discreet fit for everyday wear.
Available sizes: 50mm (MHWA300) / 60mm (MHWA310) / 70mm (MHWA320) / 80mm (MHWA330)
The ‘Ultimate’ Protector
Provides our widest coverage to smooth uneven skin and offer extra security.
Available size: 100mm (MHWA350)
The ‘Extra’ Protector
Our thickest seal (4mm) with high absorption – ideal for high-output stomas and extended wear.
Available size: 50mm (MHWA400)
Key takeaways
Mouldable stoma seals work by creating a secure seal between your stoma and your stoma bag
They reduce the risk of leaks, protect your skin and extend pouch wear time
Use a mouldable stoma seal if you have sore skin, dips/folds around your stoma or if you're experiencing leaks
Consider diameter (inner and outer) and thickness when choosing a stoma seal
CliniMed HyperSeal Mouldable Seals are available in various sizes and thicknesses
Frequently asked questions
You should treat your stoma mouldable seals as single use. They shouldn’t be reused as this may affect the performance of the seal.
Stoma mouldable seals are generally changed every time at the same time as the stoma pouch. This might depend on things like the type of stoma, individual preferences and types of activity. Some people might choose only to use mouldable seals at certain times, for example, to protect an area of sore skin.
Our HyperSeal Mouldable Seals are absolutely safe for sensitive skin. The hydrocolloid is made from all natural ingredients and is infused with Manuka honey that has received dermatological accreditation from the Skin Health Alliance.
Your seal should be compatible for all makes of stoma pouches. Their flexible nature allows them to be cut and stretched to fit so your pouch shouldn’t be an issue.
The seal shouldn’t feel bulky under your pouch. If this is a concern, you can always opt for a thinner seal. Our HyperSeal Mouldable Seals range from 2.5mm–4mm in width.
Yes, you can. Some people choose to use smaller sections of the mouldable seal to fill in uneven areas, dips or folds in the skin around the stoma, helping to create a more even surface for the pouch to adhere to.
You don’t need to cut the seal to size, you just need to choose a size that works for you. You can alter the size/fit of your seal by stretching or cutting it however.
The seal will come off when you remove your stoma pouch and can be disposed of in the normal waste bin with the pouch.
Further reading
Find lots of helpful tips and downloadable guides in our resource library.
How to choose the right stoma bag
There are a wide variety of stoma bags available, find out which one could work for you.
Stoma bag customisation
Learn how and when to measure your stoma – and how to cut and fit your pouch to achieve the best possible fit.
How to change a stoma bag
Find out how to change a stoma bag and what you’ll need to do so with this step-by-step guide.
Living with a stoma
From diet to relationships find information and advice about living to the fullest with a stoma.