Leakage is the biggest reason people hate ostomies. Reducing the instances of ostomy leakage takes the trial-and-error approach. After surgery, the size and shape of the stoma change a lot before settling to a permanent form.
If you want to reduce leakages, the best approach is to look for the root cause. In many cases, pancaking is the culprit causing those leaks. In several cases, stool gets under the skin barrier, compromising the seal between the ostomy pouch and the peristomal skin.
You can brainstorm to find the most appropriate solution for your leakage problem. You can also ask other people with ostomies to know what helped them fix their problems.
First off, you have to make sure that you are using the correct wafer for your stoma and body. If your wafer is not right for your body type, you will experience leakage. For instance, if your stoma seems sunk inside the abdominal skin, you will not benefit from a flat skin barrier. You can use a convex wafer to push your skin gently. It will allow the stoma to protrude a bit, reducing the chances of leakage. Remember, which wafer suits you best depends entirely on your body type. What works for you may not do the same for another person with an ostomy.
After choosing the correct type of wafer, you have to make sure that its opening fits your stoma nicely. If you are using a cut-to-fit skin barrier, you have to make sure that it allows an active stoma. If the water is too tight around the stoma, the stool will get under it and compromise the seal. A too-small opening of the skin barrier can strangle the stoma, causing several other severe issues. A too-large opening, on the other hand, will result in the skin around the stoma getting exposed to the stomal output. It can lead to skin irritation. If your stoma is regular-shaped, you can use a pre-cut wafer, which comes with a premade opening. You can choose from different sizes of pre-cut skin barriers, depending on the size and shape of your stoma.
Another way to prevent leaks is to take care of your peristomal skin. Peristomal skin, with its integrity taken care of, allows for a better seal. Healthy peristomal skin looks the same as any other part of the skin on the abdomen. If you experience leakage, it is best to take care of it immediately. It will allow you to keep your peristomal skin in good health. It also includes emptying or changing your ostomy pouch before it overfills. A heavy ostomy pouch can pull the skin barrier, causing it to develop gaps that can allow the stomal output to leak through.
Make sure to be gentle when peeling your wafer. Ripping the wafer off the peristomal skin quickly can be detrimental to your skin integrity. If your wafer has a strong adhesive, use adhesive remover while removing the ostomy appliance. It will help retain your skin’s integrity and will help prevent leakage in the long term.
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