Ostomy leakage can be irritation and frustration at the same time. So, you are going to have to make sure that your ostomy pouch is properly adhered to the prestomal skin.

Ostomy skin health

Damaged skin around the stoma can make things quite unmanageable from certain perspectives. It is the area which has to come in contact with the adhesive-loaded part of the ostomy pouching system. It means that this skin area needs to be healthy enough to make a little-longer-than-short-term attachment of the pouching system the pain-free experience. And so, you are going to be proactively careful about the health of this part of the skin. For this purpose, you can consider using ceramide-infused skin barrier. And you have to make sure that you are visiting your ostomy care nurse in case you notice any sign of infection development in the area.

Fitting of the skin barrier

It is very important to make sure that the skin barrier you are using is properly fitting on the skin around your stoma. This way, you will be able to avoid any irritation or damage in the peristomal skin.

A few things that you are going to have to take into consideration here include:

• Proper measurement of your stoma before every barrier application
• Making sure that the skin barrier fits where the skin and stoma meet
• Making sure that no part of the skin is exposed between skin barrier and stoma
• Ensuring the application of stoma powder before application of the new pouching system
• Discontinuing the use of stoma powder once the skin gets normal

Changing ostomy pouch on regular basis

Before the pouching system becomes susceptible to leakage, you have to change the pouch. A pouching system might start leakage under the barrier if it gets overfilled and gains weight. Therefore, you need to change the pouch if you are using closed bags. And even if you are using drainable bag, you are going to have to change it twice in every week.

Ensuring proper security of your pouch while exercising

Many people wonder if it is possible to do exercise with an ostomy bag attached to the body. Well, it is certainly as much possible as for other normal people. But make sure that you have worn special clothing that keeps the pouching system from developing leakage. You can use an ostomy wrap to keep the pouch in one place. Moreover, you need to avoid the tougher exercises if you think that those workouts can lead to the leakage. It is very important to talk to your ostomy care nurse beforehand.