Stoma leakage prevention
Leaks, skin irritation, soreness, itching, and baseplates wearing away quickly are just some of the everyday problems we set out to solve with our trusted range of eakin® seals.
Stoma leaks: why they happen and how an eakin® seal is a solution that will help you fix the situation
Here’s a run-down of the most common issues behind stoma leaks, and how to deal with them:
You’ve got skin creases and folds
Soft, smooth skin is the dream. It’s also often not the reality. Skin tone and texture varies from person to person, and you might find that the skin around your stoma is uneven. The result? Your stoma pouch doesn’t quite fit as snugly as you’d like it to, which – you guessed it – can cause leaks. Here’s what you can do about it:
- We encourage you to stretch the skin, so the creases and folds are smooth when the bag is going on.
- An eakin® seal will mould around your stoma which is great for preventing leaks caused by creases and folds.
Your stoma is not in the best spot
If your stoma is sitting too close to your bellybutton, scars or hipbone these scenarios can lead to leaks.
- As the name suggests, eakin® seals can help create that perfect ‘seal’ between the skin and your bag.
You’ve got a hernia
A parastomal hernia appears when part of the bowel pushes through a weakness in the muscles around your stoma resulting in swelling or a bulge. This can alter the size and shape of your stoma and cause the peristomal area to be uneven and irregular making it a prime candidate for leaks. Here’s how to make sure your stoma bag’s fitting snugly when you’ve got a hernia:
- Changing/reviewing your current bag is important if you develop a hernia as your body shape will change around the stoma.
- eakin® seals will help mould and flex around the stoma and eakin Cohesive stomawrap can be especially useful for covering a larger area and impaired visibility of the stoma.
You’re dealing with loose output
Stoma leaks often happen thanks to loose or liquid output – and medications, a change in diet, fluid intake, and infection or illness can all contribute to this. Loose output can lead to an increased risk of dehydration, monitor for signs of dehydration and if you are concerned reach out to your stoma nurse. You can try thickening up your output by adding bananas, marshmallows, natural yoghurts, and even jelly (yes, really) into your diet. Here’s what else you need to know:
- eakin® seals provide everyday protection and security; they are the most absorbent seals on the market which is important if your ouput is loose to reduce the risk of leaks.
Your stoma bag is the wrong size
Your stoma will shrink in the first 6 to 8 weeks, so it’s important to use your measuring guide to make sure you’re cutting your bag for an ideal fit. You will see the biggest stoma changes in the first 6-8 weeks but the size of your stoma can change at any stage of your stoma journey. If the hole’s too big, you risk exposing your skin to output. If the hole’s too small, it might not stick and stay in place. Here’s how to get the perfect fit so you can avoid future leaks:
- Did you know our sister company, Respond Healthcare, provide a bespoke cutting service for your bag? Click here to find out more.
- eakin® seals are a great option to protect exposed skin if the bag is not cut to the right size.
Which seal is the right one for you?
With a range of thicknesses and starter hole sizes, there’s a freeseal® for everyone!
eakin freeseal® air is a thin seal for use where your stoma is low profile, retracted or flush to your tummy.
eakin freeseal® versa is a thicker seal for extra versatility, to fit those dips and creases!
Our thickest seal that prevents leaks for those with looser output such as high output stomas, loose or watery output or urine.
98mm wide, ideal for smoothing out uneven skin including dips and creases.
Everyday skin protection and security from unexpected leaks.
With a unique oval shape and cut-out section. Simply wrap and overlap to create a secure seal.
Fill in your details below to sample your eakin® seal today!
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