Sunday, June 30, 2019

How to select ostomy accessories: A complete guide

It feels really good to know that there are several Ostomy care products available for you in the market. Ostomy pouches and skin barriers are the most necessary care appliances for Ostomy. Additional supplies other than Ostomy appliances are called accessories.

We have selected the most used and most common Ostomy accessories for you to review

This product guide will let you know about the basics of Ostomy supplies and accessories. The products that are covered under this guide are:

  • Pouch Support Items

  • Barrier Seals and Rings

  • Skincare Items

  • Odor Resistant products

Why do you need Ostomy Accessories?

Most of the Ostomy supplies and accessories are not crucial; they can just aid you in Ostomy care.

Ostomy supplies assure secure sealing. In many cases, patients don’t require any Ostomy supply since they have a very excellent seal in between their barrier and skin. But in other cases such as patients with more sweating or oily skin need them. The main purposes of the Ostomy accessories are:

  • ensure a proper seal, 

  • preventing stoma from body waste and

  • Ensure more protection for the stoma.

 In the situation when a patient demands something securing and reliable, Ostomy accessories are the best option. 


If you notice that the skin around your stoma is irritating and red or in case if you feel any leakage you can access an Ostomy supply according to your condition. Other factors that lead to the usage of ostomy accessories are:

  • Retracted stoma

  • Open areas at peristomal skin 

  • Failure of barrier to adhere properly with the skin

Every person has a different kind of issues so the advantages of Ostomy supplies can be optimized differently for each person.

Types of products:

To take care of your Ostomy in a proper way you must know different ostomy supplies so you can choose the best one according to your need and condition. The most common brands for Ostomy supplies are: Holister, Coloplast, and ConvaTec

The type of Ostomy supply is determined by different factors such as the type of Ostomy performed, and also on your preference.

Pouching system:

Patients of colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy can use an Ostomy pouching system. Its purpose is to hold the Ostomy bag or pouch in place and it protects the peristomal skin (skin around the stoma). Typically there are two types of pouching system

  • One-piece pouching system

  •  Two-piece pouching system

One piece-pouching system:

The wafer or skin barrier is attached permanently to the pouch. People with bad eyesight, arthritis, dexterity prefer this kind of pouch system.

In two pieces- pouching system the pouch and the wafer are two separate parts. A two-piece pouching system enables a patient to remove the pouch without changing the wafer, and helps to lessen the skin irritation. Two-piece pouching systems are a bit more visible through the clothing in comparison with the one-piece pouching system.

Pouch Support:

The adhering and sticking of the pouching system depend on various factors like stoma orientation and peristomal skin. Pouch support is also termed support belts. This attaches to the skin barrier and helps the bag to stay in its place. Even though there are not vital, but they can provide a sense of security and extra abdominal support.

In case when you feel a continuous leakage and the flange is unable to be sealed properly an Ostomy belt can the best solution. It will easily fix your pouching system with the stomach, avoiding the water edges from lifting.

People who are active sportsmen or have hernias can use this belt for their better care.

The most common brands are Holister, ConvaTec, and Coloplast. They offer a variety of different sizes such as small, medium, and large. You must choose a perfect size because if you wear a very tight belt this will cause skin discomforts and ulcers.


Stoma Paste:

A stoma paste is used to provide an excellent seal between the skin barrier and stoma. This paste is used to refill the scars or wounds near the stoma, providing more even skin to the pouching system.

Stoma pastes can come in two ways i.e. squeezable tubes and strips. You can apply the paste directly to the skin barrier or peristomal skin. You must use wipes or warm water with a cloth to remove the stoma paste.

Barrier Rings and seals:

Barrier rings and seals help to fill the gaps between the skin barrier and stoma and avoid Ostomy leakage. A barrier ring is placed around the stoma just before wearing the skin barrier. Also, you can directly attach the ring with a barrier. Your skin should be completely dried and clean before you apply these rings.

You can easily find different sizes and brands of these rings and seals and select them according to your choice.

Skin Prep:

Some most important and most protective products are

  • Skin barrier film

  • Adhesive wipes

  • Skin prep sprays

Skin barrier wipes are used between the skin and the adhesive portion of the pouching system and it offers protection to the skin. These are a very good option for people who have very sensitive and fragile skin. Another type of skin protector is adhesive wipes. Even if they are not needed they help to remove the stickiness or adhesive that has accumulated on the edges of the skin barrier.

Skin prep is used to provide better adhesion and protection to the Ostomy skin.

Skin prep can help you with the issues such as irritation, redness, or itching. A person must apply skin prep spray on well cleaned and dried skin. Always use oil-free products to clean the peristomal area to enhance the adhesion.

Odor resistant:

Some Ostomy deodorizing products are used to reduce or remove odor. Most of them come in bottles, but they are also present in tablet form such as Parthenon’s chewable tablets. Order must only spread out of the Ostomy pouch while you are changing or draining the bag. If there is any odor in any other situation then this is a sign of leakage or any mishap with your ostomy bag.

Ostomy bag deodorants are used to eliminate the odor within the Ostomy bag. You can get a scented deodorant, but you also have a choice of odorless products that are used to target odor-producing bacteria.

Lubricating deodorants are also available that avoid the feces to pile up at the top portion of the Ostomy bag. The drainage can become easier by using lubricating deodorants

You just need to add some drops of the deodorant to your Ostomy bag while changing or draining it. Every brand instructs its products and their usage.

Selection of ostomy supplies:

Sometimes it becomes hard to live with an Ostomy. But proper care and guidance can help you to manage your Ostomy in a better way. 

Ostomy accessories are available for your support and making things easy for you. You have to use them daily, that is why it is recommended to  consult with your nurse or doctor while choosing them.









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