While a pouching system is the foundation for daily ostomy care, several different ostomy accessories and support products can help make daily life more manageable. Whether you've recently undergone surgery or are looking to improve your current routine, finding the right products can make a significant difference. Here, we'll go over some of the best ostomy accessories and what they're used for.
Quick Overview: Best Ostomy Accessories for Daily Life
- Barrier rings and convex ostomy systems can help create a stronger seal and reduce the risk of leaks.
- Skin barrier wipes, adhesive removers, and ostomy powder help protect peristomal skin and improve comfort during pouch changes.
- Support belts, wraps, and barrier strips can improve pouch security during exercise, travel, and daily activities.
- Ostomy deodorizing products and pouch covers may help improve confidence, discretion, and overall quality of life.
- The right ostomy accessories and support products can make ostomy care easier, more comfortable, and more manageable day-to-day.
What Are Ostomy Accessories?
Ostomy accessories and supplies are supportive products aimed at improving comfort and overall function of your ostomy pouching system. Many are created to help address common ostomy-related issues or stoma complications, and they can help you take a proactive approach to peristomal skin health. Some of the most notable advantages of using ostomy accessories include:
- Help reduce leaks by improving the seal around the stoma
- Protect peristomal skin from irritation, moisture, and adhesive damage
- Improve pouch security during exercise, travel, and daily activities
- Increase comfort by reducing friction and pressure against the skin
- Support longer wear times for ostomy pouching systems
- Help manage odor and improve confidence in social situations
- Make pouch changes easier and more comfortable
- Provide additional support for uneven skin or retracted stomas
- Improve discretion under clothing for greater confidence throughout the day
- Support better sleep and overnight comfort with specialized products
- Help simplify daily ostomy care routines and reduce stress
- Allow for more flexibility and independence in everyday life
12 Ostomy Supplies That Make Daily Life Easier
While ostomy bags are the foundation of ostomy care, additional products can help improve comfort and make everyday activities feel easier and more predictable. Some examples of supportive supplies include the following:
1. Barrier Rings
Barrier rings are one of the most commonly recommended ostomy accessories because they help create a more secure seal around the stoma. They're soft, moldable rings that fill in uneven areas on the skin to help prevent leaks and reduce the risk of output reaching the surrounding skin. Barrier rings may be especially helpful for people with:
- Uneven skin around the stoma
- Frequent leaks
- Liquid ostomy output
- Sensitive or easily irritated skin
Many people find that adding a barrier ring helps extend ostomy bag wear time and improves confidence throughout the day. They can typically be used with either one-piece or two-piece ostomy systems, but it's best to talk to your stoma care nurse for recommendations based on your current pouch.
2. Ostomy Belts and Support Wraps
Ostomy belts and wraps provide extra support for the pouching system by helping keep the appliance secure against the body. Some belts attach directly to the pouching system, while support wraps provide gentle compression and coverage underneath clothing. Belts and support wraps typically help ostomates feel more confident, as they can increase discretion and provide extra confidence when traveling and sleeping. They can also help new ostomates cope with body image changes after surgery. Moreover, support garments can be particularly useful for active individuals or those who participate in exercise, lifting, or other physical activities.
3. Skin Barrier Wipes and Sprays
Peristomal skin protection is an important part of long-term ostomy care, and skin barrier wipes can help simplify hygiene. Skin barrier wipes and sprays create a thin protective layer between the skin around your stoma and adhesive products, helping reduce irritation caused by frequent pouch changes or leakage. They can also help protect your skin if you experience sensitivity and reduce redness or irritation. However, if you experience skin irritation or breakdown that doesn't get better, it's important to see your ostomy nurse to determine what's going on.
4. Convex Skin Barriers and Convex Ostomy Systems
Convex skin barriers are specially designed ostomy products that apply gentle outward pressure around the stoma to help create a better seal. Unlike flat barriers, convex barriers curve outward slightly, helping the stoma protrude more clearly above the skin surface. This can improve pouch adhesion and help direct output into the pouch instead of underneath the barrier. Convex ostomy systems are often recommended for people who have:
- A flush or retracted stoma
- Uneven skin around the stoma
- Frequent leaks
- Skin folds or creases near the stoma
- Liquid output that undermines the seal
Many people find that switching to a convex barrier significantly reduces leaks and improves wear time. Convex products can also help protect peristomal skin by preventing output from sitting against the skin for extended periods.
5. Adhesive Remover Wipes
When living with an ostomy, you'll need to continually remove appliances and reattach them. This can take a toll on your skin, which is why adhesive remover can come in handy. Adhesive remover wipes and sprays help gently dissolve adhesive so your skin isn't irritated as much when you change the pouch. This can help improve both comfort and security while reducing the risk of peristomal skin conditions caused by skin breakdown.
6. Ostomy Powder
Ostomy powder is commonly used to help manage moisture and protect irritated skin around the stoma. It absorbs excess moisture so adhesives can stick more effectively while helping support skin healing. However, there needs to be a delicate balance when using this, as too much powder can also interfere with adhesion. To start, apply in small amounts and adjust as necessary.
7. Ostomy Paste
Ostomy or stoma paste is not an adhesive, but rather acts almost like a caulking material to fill gaps and creases around the stoma. This, in turn, creates a stronger seal and can help prevent leakage. Paste is especially beneficial for ostomates with skin folds, scars, or uneven abdominal contours.
8. Flange Extenders and Barrier Strips
Flange extenders and barrier strips add extra reinforcement around the edges of the pouching system adhesive. They can help keep the appliance secure, especially during movement, sweating, or exposure to water. These products are often used for:
- Extra leak protection
- Exercise and sports
- Swimming and showering
- Humid climates
- Longer wear times
9. Ostomy Deodorizing Products
Odor control is a common concern for people living with an ostomy. Ostomy deodorant drops, lubricating deodorant, and pouch filters can help manage odor and make pouch emptying more comfortable. This often allows ostomates to feel more confident in their body and stoma care after surgery, and can reduce anxiety when traveling or at work. Many deodorizing products are designed specifically for ostomy use and can be safely added directly into the pouch.
10. Ostomy Pouch Covers
Ostomy pouch covers are fabric covers placed over the outside of the pouch. While they don't change pouch performance, many people use them to improve comfort and make their pouch more discreet. They can also be quite fun and come in various colors and styles depending on your preference.
11. Waterproof Covers and Shower Accessories
Many people can shower or bathe normally with an ostomy, but waterproof accessories may provide additional protection and reassurance. Waterproof covers and tape products can help keep edges secure during water exposure. These accessories may be useful for swimming, long showers, hot tubs, beach trips, water sports, and more. Some people also use waterproof barrier strips to improve adhesion in humid or wet environments.
12. Night Drainage Bags for Urostomy Care
For individuals with a urostomy, night drainage systems can make sleeping more comfortable by continuously draining urine overnight. Drainable urostomy pouches can help reduce the need to wake up frequently to empty the bag, but it's best to talk with a specialist to find the right option for your needs.
How to Choose the Right Ostomy Support Products
Regardless of whether you have a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy, the right products can make a world of difference in ostomy care. If you experience any issues, always talk to your doctor or ostomy nurse. They can help you find the right accessories to help complement your routine and make day-to-day life easier. And, for high-quality ostomy care products that can be discreetly delivered to your door, Byram Healthcare has you covered. Contact us today to learn more.
