No two stomas are the same however, and all of our advice is therefore based on each user’s individual situation.
1. Check the hole size
The size of the hole in the adhesive should fit the size and shape of your stoma. If the hole is too big, the output can get under the adhesive and cause leakage.
If the hole is too small the adhesive will touch the stoma, thereby absorbing moisture and decreasing weartime. We recommend that the hole in the adhesive is 1 – 2 mm bigger than the stoma itself. The stoma will change shape and size over time, so keep checking the hole size and make a new template regularly. Measure the stoma when it is at its largest, either sitting down or standing up and be aware that touching it could make it smaller.
TIP: We know that it can be difficult to cut the hole correctly so that it fits your stoma. Therefore, we have developed a short film that will guide you through the process. You can see the film here: www.Coloplast.to/maalklip.
2. Use an extra seal
Look at the back of the adhesive when you take it off. If there is any output there, it is a sign of leakage. The answer could be an accessory product like, for example, a sealing ring that gives an extra seal.
TIP: Moisture or output on the back of the adhesive can also be a sign that you need to change your adhesive more regularly.
3. Take your time
Give yourself plenty of time and be careful when applying your stoma products. Press the adhesive against the skin and massage it in place with sliding movements from inside and out. Take up to a minute so that the adhesive is firmly adhered to the skin.
TIP: You should also take plenty of time when you remove the adhesive. Don’t rip it off like a plaster but remove it slowly, so that you do not risk skin problems. Some of our users benefit from using an adhesive remover.
4. Fit to body matters
It doesn’t matter if your stoma is above or below the skin level, if you have a hernia, bumps or unevenness, or if you gain or lose weight; there should always be a stoma product that fits your stoma and your body.
TIP: An easy way to check your body shape is Coloplast’s BodyCheck tool on the website (Coloplast.dk/bodycheck), which can also give you product recommendations. If you are in any doubt, however, you should seek help from your stoma care nurse.
5. Minimise ballooning
Air in the bag, also known as ballooning, is an issue that some people experience. Some users find that they can decrease ballooning by eating less cabbage or onions, not drinking fizzy drinks or by avoiding chewing gum.
Ballooning can also occur because the bag’s filter is clogged with output or moisture. If this is the case, we recommend changing the bag more often. A lubricating spray can also sometimes help the output to slide down the bag, rather than blocking the filter.
TIP: If you experience ballooning mostly at night, when the digestive system produces more gas, it can be a good idea to change your bag before you go to bed. A larger bag at night, which can accommodate more air, can also be an option.
The advice is based on the most frequent challenges and the options we see working for the users of stoma products we advise over the phone.