Ileostomy Care: Things To Know

Ileostomy care is widely referred to as a procedure involving steps taken to keep the stoma and the skin around it clean and healthy. You can get in-depth information regarding ileostomy from your ostomy care nurse. In this article, we will cover the basics of how to care for your ileostomy.

Products used with an ileostomy

The main product that you are going to need to manage your ileostomy is the ostomy appliance. It consists of a pouch and a skin barrier, which has an opening of the size and shape that of your stoma. The opening of the skin barrier allows your stoma to open into the pouch, which means that your bowel contents will collect into the pouch. The adhesive side of the skin barrier goes against the peristomal skin, forming a leak-proof seal that doesn’t allow the stomal output to seep under the skin barrier. Generally, the opening of the skin barrier is 1/8 inch larger than your stoma.

It is significantly necessary to take care of the peristomal skin. If it develops irritation, it will not only be painful, but it will also compromise the skin’s ability to make a seal with the skin barrier properly. You may want to use skin care products such as films, paste, strips, or rings to keep skin irritation at bay.

Emptying your pouch

Do not let the pouch to become one-third full. It means that you may have to empty your pouch every four to six hours. A filled pouch can put pressure on the seal and cause leakage.

Use the following guide to empty the pouch.

Hold the end of the pouch up and remove the clamp.
Roll up the ends of the pouch.
Place toilet paper into the toilet to form a layer. It will help you avoid splashing. Empty the pouch into the toilet.
After the bag is empty, unroll the ends of the pouch. Clean these ends using a toilet paper or a wet paper towel.
Close the open end and secure it using the clamp.

Changing your pouch

You can discuss it with your doctor regarding how often you should change your ostomy pouch. Generally, you will need to change it way before it starts leaking.

To change the pouch, first, you have to remove the old one. The right procedure to do it is to push the skin away from the skin barrier and pulling the skin barrier away from the skin at the same time. Make sure that you are doing it gently. After taking the old pouching system off, now you need to clean the skin around the stoma. Plain water should clean the skin sufficiently, but if you want to use soap, make sure that it is free of perfumes and oils. Before placing the new ostomy pouch, make sure that its opening fits well around the stoma. Attach the skin barrier and make sure that there are no creases in it as these can become pathways for the stomal output to seep through the peristomal skin area.

Basics Of Ostomy Products

At the beginning of being an ostomate, you may feel like the whole world around you changing. You will have different emotions and a lot of questions in your mind. The thing is, you are not alone in this, since there are a lot of people who are living with an excretory point on their bellies, and they are doing just fine.

It is crucial to be familiar with the use of supplies that can help you manage your ostomy. The basic knowledge will first help you select the right ostomy supplies, and then it will empower you with the ability to avoid any mistakes that might lead to the failure of these supplies. There is a wide range of ostomy supplies to choose from, so making the right choice is necessary.

Here in this article, we will discuss the basics of ostomy products.

What is a pouch of an ostomy appliance?

The most prominent and necessary part of your ostomy system is a pouch. It is a reservoir that collects waste materials to allow you to be worry-free. You will need to change or empty your ostomy pouch when it is one-third to half full. Allowing this pouch to become too full can increase unnecessary straining on the skin barrier, causing the ostomy appliance to come off. A full ostomy bag also forms a noticeable bulge on your clothing.

What is a skin barrier?

A skin barrier, also known as a flange or wafer, is the element that adheres to the skin around the stoma. The role of a skin barrier is to keep the ostomy appliance in place while protecting the peristomal skin. While applying this element to the skin, you have to make sure that it sits nicely over the peristomal skin to prevent leakage and resulting skin irritation. You can create an opening in the skin barrier according to the shape and size of your stoma.

One-piece ostomy pouch

The ostomy appliance that integrates the pouch and skin barrier to form a single unit is known as a one-piece ostomy pouch. This ostomy pouch remains discreet under your clothes, and it is an ideal solution for people who are fitness enthusiasts. You may want to discuss with your doctor whether or not you can use this ostomy pouch to manage stool evacuations.

Two-piece ostomy pouch

If you want more flexibility, you may consider buying a two-piece ostomy pouch. This ostomy appliance comes with a skin barrier and a pouch as two different elements, which you are going to need to connect to make this appliance fully functional. Whether you want to place the skin barrier and attach the pouch to it or attach the pouch to the skin barrier and wear this whole system at once, it is all up to you.

There are other products too that you can use to manage your ostomy in a better way. For instance, ostomy paste or powder can help to aid, and using an adhesive remover can help in the removal of the old ostomy pouch without injuring the skin. Before choosing any product, be sure to discuss it with your doctor or ostomy nurse.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse