Ostomy Guide

Choosing the Right Ostomy Accessories

For those living with an ostomy, the right ostomy bag accessories can make everyday life easier and avoid potential troubles down the road. If you have an ileostomy or a colostomy, the right ostomy accessory can help you maintain your lifestyle and independence. With all the options available, how do you find the right ostomy accessories for you? Fortunately, our site, HPFY, has a plethora of ostomy accessories, and we can help point you in the right direction. 

Ostomy Types & Potential Issues 

An ostomy is a surgery where intestines are passed through an incision in the abdomen, which is known as a stoma, to allow the body to expel waste. There are basically two main types of ostomies: an ileostomy and a colostomy. The main difference is where the surgery occurs in the intestines. What defines each is: 

• Ileostomy: When the ileum doesn’t function properly, the surgical stoma is placed in the small intestines. 
• A colostomy is a procedure where the stoma is placed in the large intestines bypassing the colon. 

The stoma can be an area of concern since this sensitive skin can come in contact with expelled waste through the stoma. Attached to the stoma is your ostomy apparatus of choice, and it’s this site that potential issues can arise like: 

• Odor 
• Skin irritation 
• Infections of the peristomal skin 
• Ostomy leakage 

So, how do ostomates deal with these potential issues with their ostomy, stoma, and sensitive peristomal skin? The best way to maximize your chance for success using an ostomy system is with ostomy bag accessories. You can easily find ostomy supplies online at HPFY, and we have chosen some ostomy accessory possibilities for you. 

Ostomy Accessories To Choose From 

Colostomy or ileostomy, all ostomy systems are the same, right? Well…yes and no. Today’s market has a number of wonderful ostomy systems for both an ileostomy and colostomy. Still, the use of ostomy accessories can go the extra mile to ensure success on a daily basis. Some accessories you may want to investigate include: 

1. Skin barriers/wafers

Where the ostomy system/apparatus connects to your skin around the stoma, the use of skin barriers or wafers connects your system securely and safely around peristomal skin. Colostomy bags can benefit from standard-wear skin barriers, whereas ostomies such as an ileostomy can benefit from extended-wear skin barriers. There are 3 options of skin barriers available to ostimates that include: 

• Cut-to-fit 
• Precut 
• Moldable 

2. One-Piece Systems

This type of pouching system has the pouch and skin barrier as one single piece. This type of ostomy system is more discrete and is better for tight-fitting clothing and may be better for those with limited dexterity since there is no need to fix the pouch to the skin barrier. Users can also feel more secure since there is less chance of the ostomy bag separating from the skin barrier flange. 

3. Two Piece Systems

This is a pouching system that is two separate units. The pouch and the skin barrier are two pieces. A two-piece ostomy bag facilitates a quicker change since the skin barrier stays in place, and the pouch itself is separated, leaving the skin barrier in place for up to 2-4 days. This type of ostomy bag accessory protects the skin from irritation from frequent changes. 

4. Ostomy belts

Keeping your ostomy pouching system in place can give you peace of mind, and ostomy belts offer the user benefits like: 

• Stabilizing your ostomy 
• Helping ostomy drain better 
• Adding pressure to seal 
• Extend the life of the skin barrier 

5. Pastes

Often, the skin around your stoma may be uneven, making it difficult for your skin barrier/wafer to seal properly. These ostomy bag accessories help even out the skin around your stoma, allowing your skin barrier to seal properly and securely. 

6. Adhesives/removers

Skin barriers, wafers, and one-piece pouching systems use adhesives to adhere to peristomal skin around your stoma. These adhesives can irritate this sensitive skin if not removed properly. The use of adhesives keeps your ostomy bag system properly/securely in place, while adhesive removers gently remove leftover adhesives during ostomy bag accessory changes. 

7. Odor eliminators

As you can imagine, your ostomy apparatus can potentially allow odor to escape. These ostomy bag accessories can be added to your pouching system to help eliminate embarrassing odors. Pouch deodorizers, ostomy bag filters, and ostomy odor protectants can all deodorize your ostomy care products. 

Where can I buy the right ostomy accessories online?

Using ostomy accessories can help make your pouching solutions more effective, protect your skin from potential issues, and reduce any possible embarrassing moments. You can work with your ostomy nurse to find the right system for you as well as any ostomy bag accessories that may benefit you the most. Visit our site, HPFY, for all of your ostomy solutions. 

 

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