Ostomy Accessories

You’ve probably been sent home after your ostomy with a paste, powder, and skin wipes.  You may wonder why in the world you are given this? They are different accessories that may not be needed, but there are a lot of reasons for this, and here, we’ll go over the accessories and the uses for each of these accessories. 

Paste 

The paste is usually thick and similar to a toothpaste, and is essentially different in the way that it’s sed. It’s basically a barrier that is a part of the flange system. While it may seem like a “glue” because of the name paste, it’s actually similar to caulking than anything else. Paste is used on the inner part and the edges of you flange, protecting the skin that’s there from stool that’s exposed.

The paste pretty much fills in those gaps left by the flange, in order to protect your skin as well. You also can use this for creases and the like if you have different rivets in the area. Not everyone who has a stoma needs paste, but if you have a colostomy, you may want to consider using this, depending on the barrier that’s employed. 

Powder 

Powder for your stoma is pretty much a ground up version of the barrier parts of the flange. The powder is limited with absorption, and it’s used to help with irritated skin and other issues. When this is sprinkled in the areas affected, you then seal it with a wipe, since if used just by itself, it may not allow for adhesion of the pouch to the skin itself. 

Powder s not always needed in ostomy care, since it’s the same as a barrier, but if you have irritation and the like, it may offer some benefit as well. Routine usage does cost a bit, and it does increase the time between changes, but if you have a skin condition, this will help as well. 

Wipes 

Wipes are another part of this. There are adhesive wipes that are used to remove the paste in the ostomy care, but it may not be necessary. If your skin isn’t irritated, you can gently move the flange pulling I away, helping to take off the pouching system. The adhesive removers work well if you have a lot of adhesive or paste, or if there are fabric fibers which gather near the edge. 

You do need to clean up the skin well after you use this, before you put on a new pouching system, since if you don’t do this, it may cause sensitivity of the skin, and also bad adhesion.They also have skin protector wipes, which when they are applied directly, dries fast, and then from there creates a film or barrier that helps protect the skin, and offers a bit of a stronger adhesive to the system as well. Most ostomy pouches are designed for gentle adhesion though, and not to cause trauma to the body as well.

Routine use of this normally isn’t’ required, as it is costly, it can cause issues with the skin, ad it will not automatically increase overhaul adhesion when applying a new pouching system. Again, all of these are accessories, and not every single person needs these accessories if they’re going to be using a stoma bag and the like. But if you do suffer from skin conditions, r issues with adhesion of the product to the body, you will want to include this in your routine to help better off the results of this as well, for you right now and down the road.