Common concerns and some quick and simple fixes
Experiencing pain when removing your stoma bag
Let’s face it, the area around your stoma is super sensitive! Here’s how to handle it with the care it deserves:
- When it’s time to say goodbye to your adhesive baseplate and stoma bag, go slow. Quick moves are a big no-no.
- Do it slowly and hold the skin taut with one hand. This reduces the drama and avoids skin trauma!
- Ripping the baseplate off your skin is a bad idea.
Why am I changing my stoma bag so much?
If you’re noticing leaks, itchiness, soreness, or even broken skin, it’s a sign that your stoma bag or ostomy products might need a little TLC. One common culprit? Your stoma playing a game of shape-shift, especially post-surgery or with weight changes.
Getting the right fit for your stoma bag is as crucial as finding the right pair of shoes – it needs to be just right. A snug fit helps prevent leaks and skin irritation, keeping you comfortable and confident. You can use a mouldable seal around the base of your stoma to provide extra security, keeping everything in place and minimising the risk of leaks.
You can also take advantage of our free bag cutting service – no need to play DIY at home. Send us your stoma template, and we’ll cut your stoma bag to fit perfectly. Whether by hand or with our precision cutting machines, we’ve got you covered, so you can wave goodbye to those ill-fitting woes.
Changing your stoma bag because your baseplate is wearing away too quickly could be down to your output.
The bad news: looser output and urine can eat away at your baseplate much quicker than thicker output.
The good news: adding a seal under your baseplate and flange extenders around it can help extend the life of your stoma bag, so you can go longer in-between changes.
Exercise, sweating, and even gentle day-to-day activities can impact your baseplate’s stickiness and nudge it out of place. Seals, flange extenders, and waterproof tape can all help to keep your bag in place while you carry on with your daily activities.
You just like to change your stoma bag more often – and that’s totally fine. But if you’re all about frequent changes, it’s crucial to watch out for potential skin irritation (often known as skin stripping) from repeated bag removal. To sidestep this issue, consider using an adhesive remover spray. If that doesn’t quite do the trick, consulting your stoma care nurse is key. They might suggest experimenting with a 2-piece system, allowing more bag changes while leaving your baseplate on for longer. They can also introduce you to alternative accessories or systems to spice up your ostomy routine. Ultimately, your stoma care journey is about finding the perfect ostomy products that work best for you!
Changing your stoma bag more often than usual
If you find yourself changing your stoma bag more often than you’d like, it might be time for a little detective work. Frequent changes can be a sign that something’s amiss so it’s best to get in touch with stoma nurse to find out what’s happening. They might suggest adding an accessory to your routine to up your bag’s longevity, or changing to a different stoma bag altogether.
The below is a guideline only.
You might be changing your stoma bag too much if:
- You wear a closed stoma bag, and you’re changing it more than 3 times a day.
- You wear a drainable stoma bag, and you’re changing it more than once a day (emptying the stoma bag more often is perfectly normal).
- You wear a urostomy stoma bag, and you’re changing it more than every other day.
