Ensuring that the ostomy is securely attached during each change will help eliminate any leaking. Besides this, we have 6 more suggestions that can also keep leaks at bay.
1. Make Healthy Skin Precedence During Ostomy Care
Having skin that is not looking its best is not easy to control. This is true if you need to keep placing a wafer over the site. However, by maintaining healthy skin right from the start will help eliminate chances of skin damage or irritation.
Consider the following:
Get in touch with your nurse if any complication arises concerning a peristomal.
Implement the use of a skin barrier that can promote healthy skin.
2. Ensure Proper Fitting of the Barrier
Ensuring a properly fitting barrier can keep the skin protected from any damage or irritation that a leak may cause. Regardless of the stoma size and any protrusion ocurring, having a proper fit will ensure that the pouche´s flow will not leak from beneath the barrier.
To ensure a fit:
Determine the stoma size prior to applying a barrier
Once the barrier is applied, check that the fit is secure around the edges of the stoma and skin.
Double check that skin does not show between your stoma and barrier.
Administer powder around skin that is broken prior to attaching a new wafer and ostomy bag
Stop using the powder as soon as the skin around the peristom is dry and does not appear damp. Once the skin is pink and dry, there will be no need for powder.
3. Replace the Ostomy Bag as Often as Possible
Replacing the ostomy bag often will keep leaks from occuring and in preventing any possible future leaks. When an ostomy bag is too full, it can become vulnerable to a leak because of heavy weight and stress placed on the barrier.
To prevent a leak make sure to:
Replace the bag regularly to prevent a leak
Decrease the amount of time to wear the same pouch based on your needs, excrement amount, and stoma.
Make a minimum of two changes each week
4. Guard the Ostomy as you Conduct Physical Exercise
While conducting physical exercise or playing sports, the stoma could see some stress due to the constant movement. Implementing specific clothing will be able to put concerns aside.
Consider the following:
Ensure your ostomy bag is empty first
Wear sports clothing such as running shorts or tights.
Employ a wrap or some sort of support to prevent the bag from moving
5. Be Careful While Detaching the Ostomy´s Barrier
Having an ostomy bag that is not properly removed or taking it off too fast may lead to stripping of the skin. Any damage caused could easily bring about pain, skin irritation, and even a leak.
Consider the following:
Do not rush, remove the barrier slowly and gently
As you gently remove the barrier do so by beginning from above and peeling down, ernsuring to keep the skin taught as you do.
Preventing a Leak From the Start
By sticking to the five methods above you will be able to avert a leak. If you happen to encpounter a leak, you need to find the source as quickly as possible. If you need more advise, then your nurse should point you iin the right direction.
Stoma Health Blog 