Ostomy Accessories — When and How to Use Them

If your patient has recently had ostomy surgery or is just getting used to living with a stoma, they may be feeling a little overwhelmed by all the different ostomy products.

In addition to their pouching system – which includes the ostomy skin barrier and a pouch – your patient may require the use of an ostomy accessory to enhance the performance of their system. Accessories may enhance the wear time of the skin barrier, prevent leakage, reduce odour and make pouch emptying easier. These are products like stoma pastes, barrier rings, adhesive removers and belts. For many patients, these accessories form a crucial part of their daily hygiene and ostomy care routine.

In this article, we will walk you through some products from our Adapt accessories range and tell you more about how they work. In each section, you will also find a link to a guide that has more information about using that particular ostomy accessory.

Barrier rings are designed to protect the peristomal skin. The barrier ring will help fill in uneven skin surfaces to enhance the fit of the skin barrier and help prevent leakage of stoma output under the skin barrier.

These barrier rings are flexible in design, meaning you can cut, stretch, or stack them together to help improve the fit of a pouching system. They can be applied to the adhesive side of the skin barrier or directly to clean dry peristomal skin. They are available in different sizes and different thicknesses.

Please be sure to check out the newest product addition to the Adapt barrier ring family –
The CeraRing Barrier Ring.

A step-by-step guide to using Adapt Barrier Rings

Hollister also offers a convex barrier ring accessory. Convex barrier rings help to provide a gentle convexity to a skin barrier, which can improve the fit of the barrier, minimize leakage, and protect the peristomal skin.

The Adapt convex barrier ring comes in a variety of sizes and two different shapes – round and oval – to accommodate many different shape stomas. The convex barrier rings should be applied to dry peristomal skin convex side down or to the adhesive side of the skin barrier flat side down.

Please be sure to check out the newest product addition to the Adapt barrier convex ring family –
The CeraRing Convex Barrier Ring.

A step-by-step guide to using Adapt Convex Barrier Rings

One problem many people living with an ileostomy or colostomy experience is pancaking. This term refers to a term used to describe stool that gets stuck at the top of a pouching system around the stoma. Because the contents can’t drop to the bottom of the pouch, it attaches to the top and may cause leakage issues or interfere with the function of the integrated ostomy pouch filter.

A lubricating deodorant works by making pouch emptying easier and can help minimize stool from sticking to the pouch. It lubricates the inside of the ostomy pouch and helps the stool to flow to the bottom of the pouch. This product also helps to minimize odour upon emptying and with pouch change.

The Adapt lubricating deodorant is colourless, odourless, and available in bottle or packet form. You can use it with each pouch change and after the pouch is emptied to neutralise odour and help stop the output from sticking.

A step-by-step guide to using Adapt Lubricating Deodorant

Adapt Lubricating Deodorant

Living with an ostomy means having to wear an ostomy skin barrier for prolonged periods, and having to remove them from the skin with pouch changes. This may result in irritated or sore skin.

Adapt no sting skin protective wipes provide a protective film on the skin and acts as a protective interface between the skin and the ostomy skin barrier; helping to protect the skin when in contact with effluent and when removing adhesive products.

Apply the skin protective wipe to intact skin and allow to completely dry before applying the ostomy skin barrier. It is not recommended, however, for use with extended wear skin barriers, as this may decrease wear time.

A step-by-step guide to using Adapt No Sting Skin Protective Wipes

Adapt No Sting Skin Protective Wipes

If your patient is looking for enhanced security with their pouching system, an ostomy belt may give them added confidence. Clinicians often recommend adding an ostomy belt (when used with a pouching system) to enhance convexity and ensure a better fit with the skin barrier.

Patients can use our Adapt elastic belt with pouches that have belt tabs. Be sure that the the belt tabs face outward to the body and the belt is worn in line with the stoma. Be sure that the belt is snug but equally not too tight. Proper fitting will allow for two fingers to slide comfortably between the belt and the skin.

This accessory is also adjustable and washable.

A step-by-step guide to using an Adapt Ostomy Belt

Adapt Ostomy Belt

Adapt paste helps to provide a good seal between the stoma and the ostomy skin barrier. This can prevent stoma output from getting under the barrier and in contact with the patient’s skin.

It acts as a caulk to fill in uneven skin surfaces and to help minimize the risk of leakage. Adapt paste is NOT an adhesive, and too much paste may interfere with a good seal.

They come in easy-to-squeeze tubes in two different sizes.

A step-by-step guide to using Adapt Skin Barrier Paste

Adapt Skin Barrier Paste

Stoma powder is a non-medicated powder used to absorb moisture from slightly irritated or moist skin around the stoma. By absorbing moisture from skin around the stoma, the powder allows for better barrier adhesion.

There is no medication in stoma powder; it merely absorbs excess moisture, giving a skin barrier a better chance to adhere to the skin. Dust the powder on the affected peristomal skin but be sure to brush off any excess powder, as this may affect the barrier adherence. Be sure to discontinue the stoma powder once the skin has healed. Some clinicians may recommend the use of a skin barrier protective wipe over the powder but this is not always necessary.

A step-by-step guide to using Adapt Stoma Powder

Adapt Stoma Powder

The Adapt universal medical adhesive remover helps to easily remove the ostomy skin barrier while reducing the potential for skin stripping. It also aids in the removal of any adhesive residue on the skin.

As the remover is silicone-based and alcohol-free, there is no sting associated with the application of the product.

The adhesive remover evaporates quickly and dries without residue, so the next skin barrier can attach securely.

The Adapt Remover is available in a wipe or spray format.

A step-by-step guide to using Adapt Universal Medical Adhesive Remover

Adapt Universal Medical Adhesive Remover

If you’re looking for more guidance on stoma care, you can find lots of useful information in our Hollister Ostomy Professional Resources. Here you will find tips sheets covering a range of care issues. Alternatively, contact us today to ask us any questions you might have about ostomy accessories.