How to Use Stoma Products Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide

TL;DR

What This Guide Covers: A clear, step-by-step process to help you use stoma products correctly for better comfort, secure adhesion, and healthier peristomal skin.
Preparing Your Skin: Clean the area gently, dry thoroughly, and check for irritation before applying any stoma product to ensure a strong, long-lasting seal.
Applying the Products: Measure your stoma size, cut the barrier accurately, use pastes or seals if needed, and attach the pouch securely to avoid leaks.
During Wear: Press around the baseplate to improve adhesion, empty the pouch when one-third full, and monitor your skin for any redness or discomfort.
Changing Your Appliance: Remove the barrier gently, clean and soothe the skin, and replace products on a regular schedule to maintain hygiene and prevent irritation.
Ideal For: Anyone new to stoma care, caregivers, or individuals experiencing leaks, skin irritation, or improper fitting.

Introduction

Living with a stoma brings new challenges, but mastering the stoma care products doesn't have to be one of them. Whether you're preparing for ostomy surgery or have recently joined the ranks of ostomates, it's important to learn to properly use your pouching system for comfort, confidence, and skin health.

This in-depth guide takes you through each step of stoma care in clear, practical terms, from choosing the right products to how to use ostomy supplies. These instructions are written from an ostomate's perspective. So, this guide will help you master daily care with confidence and get back to living your life on your own terms.

Gather Your Supplies

First things first: before learning how to apply the stoma bag correctly, organization is key. Line everything up within easy reach on your bathroom countertop so that you won't be interrupted during changes.

Equipment needed to prepare:

Workspace protection: an old bath towel for the floor.
Cleaning supplies: washcloth, warm water or cleanser wipes, clean bath towel.
Measurement tools: pencil and stoma measuring guide.
Cutting tools: scissors (unless using moldable wafers).
Pouching system: skin barrier or baseplate and new pouch.
Sealants: Barrier ring or seal, paste, or similar products.
Adhesive remover: Spray or wipes.
Disposal: plastic sealable bags for used supplies.

Remove the Old Pouching System

Following proper ostomy pouch instructions when changing stoma bag systems protects your skin and ensures a smooth and comfortable transition.

Step-by-step removal process:

Wash your hands thoroughly and prepare your workspace before beginning.
Empty your pouch while sitting comfortably on the toilet seat.
Remove gently. Hold a corner of the tape and push your skin inward toward your body rather than pulling the appliance off and away; this minimizes skin trauma. You can also use alcohol-free Adhesive Remover Spray to minimise the efforts needed to remove the baseplate.

Clean & Inspect the Skin

Proper cleaning is crucial when using stoma care products to ensure optimal adhesion and skin health.

Cleaning and inspection steps:

Clean gently: Wash the peristomal skin with a washcloth, lukewarm water or cleanser wipes. Avoid scented or creamy soaps, as they can diminish adhesion.
Dry thoroughly: Ostomy powder can be lightly dusted onto moist or weepy peristomal skin and gently patted so it absorbs moisture and helps keep the skin dry before applying the pouching system. The cleaner and drier your skin is, the better the adhesion.
Inspect carefully: Check your stoma and surrounding skin for redness, irritation, unusual discharge, or changes in size and shape.

Measure and Prepare the Barrier

Accurate measurement of ostomy skin barriers ensures a secure, leak-free seal and protects your peristomal skin.

Measurement and preparation steps:

Measure accurately: Use a measuring guide (usually supplied with your ostomy baseplate or skin barriers) and a makeup mirror placed on the countertop for a better view. Especially important if your surgery is recent, as your stoma will become smaller over the months.
Size correctly: For all skin barriers, measure right up next to the stoma.
Cut or mold: Trace the correct size onto the baseplate back and cut with scissors.

Add Seals (If Needed)

Enhancing the peristomal skin protection with sealants creates a secure barrier against leaks and irritation.

Applying protective seals or pastes:

Apply paste carefully: Ostomy paste is gently applied in a thin line around the stoma to fill in skin creases or uneven areas so the pouching system can fit smoothly and help prevent leaks..
Consider alternatives: Brava® Protective Seal is an alternative option to improve appliance fit by sealing the gap between the stoma and baseplate, filling in skin folds beneath the baseplate. It is comparatively easier to use, apply and remove.

Apply the New System

Proper application of stoma care products (ostomy bag and skin barrier/ baseplate) ensures maximum adhesion and leak protection throughout your wear time.

Application steps:

Position carefully: while leaning slightly backward to smooth out your skin, remove the paper backing from the skin barrier and apply it slowly and carefully over the stoma.
Smooth thoroughly: remove the paper backing from the surrounding tape and smooth it on your skin, being careful not to create wrinkles, as they may dig into your skin.
Secure two-piece systems: if using a two-piece system, snap the new pouch onto the skin barrier or baseplate. You can feel around the closure with your fingers to ensure the pouch and skin barrier are close together, pushing toward your body until you hear clicks.

Secure & Finish

Final steps include ensuring your pouching system stays secure and leak-free throughout wear time.

Finishing touches:

Attach closure: if you use a tail clip, apply it now to your drainable pouch.
Activate adhesion: hold your appliance in place with your hand to ensure a secure seal. All skin adhesives are more effective when held in place after the first application, as the heat from your hand improves adhesion.
Inspect thoroughly: check all edges for security and ensure there are no gaps between the barrier and your skin
Practice hygiene: wash your hands again thoroughly to complete the process

Establish a Routine & Stay Organized

Developing consistent, step-by-step habits for ostomy care ensures comfort, prevents complications, and builds confidence in daily management. Some of the routine maintenance guidelines are:

Change regularly: your appliance should stay on for at least a few days between changes and be comfortable, odor-free, and leak extremely rarely. As a good practice, change your ostomy pouch when it is about one-third full or sooner if you notice any issues such as leaks, skin irritation, ballooning, pancaking, or other challenges with your stoma
Empty strategically: empty your pouch while sitting comfortably on the toilet seat.
Be prepared: put spare supplies in your bag in case of an emergency.

Monitor Skin & Output

Regular monitoring helps you identify issues early and maintain optimal peristomal skin protection.

What to watch for:

Inspect regularly: report any unusual change in color, size, shape of your stoma, or bleeding to your ostomy nurse. Some bleeding is normal when touching your stoma.
Avoid the vicious cycle: damaged skin leads to poor adhesion, which causes leakage and further damage to skin.
Track patterns: note pouch wear times and adjust products or sizes as needed for optimal results.

Final Takeaway

Mastering usage of stoma care products takes practice, but with consistency, you'll build confidence. Your appliance should feel comfortable, remain on for at least a few days without needing to be replaced, be odor-free, and leak only in exceptionally rare cases.

Follow this checklist: prepare supplies, cleanse and dry the skin thoroughly, take accurate measurements, cut barriers carefully, add accessories when extra protection is needed, apply with heat and pressure, empty and replace as needed, and inspect the skin daily. If you are not experiencing these conditions, see an ostomy nurse and continue to adjust your routine until you find products that work well for you.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for educational use only. Always speak with your doctor or stoma nurse before applying any advice or suggestions mentioned here.