Absorbency and enzyme inhibition
Leaks and moisture associated skin damage (MASD) can significantly impact your stoma patients’ day-to-day life.
Although they’re a normal part of living with a stoma – especially when patients are still getting the hang of a new stoma care routine – they can cause anxiety, frustration, and painful peristomal skin problems. Nurses have reported that most of their patients living with a stoma will experience peristomal skin problems at some point. And leaks are one of their main concerns.
A recent study found that 93% of ostomates continue to worry about leaks occurring.1 Another quality-of-life survey of over 4,000 ostomates found that 75% had suffered from peristomal skin complications, while 81% had experienced a leak within the last 6 months.2
How to help patients with peristomal skin problems
Stoma bag leaks are the most common cause of peristomal skin problems. So, when it comes to helping your patients overcome the issue, absorbency matters most. Helping them find a seal that absorbs effectively can stop leaks, prevent output from coming into contact with peristomal skin, and protect the skin from further damage or irritation.
An absorbent ostomy seal will wick away moisture instead of deflecting it – which gives patients an added layer of confidence that their output won’t come into contact with their already sensitive peristomal skin. Choosing a seal with a higher enzyme inhibition gives your patients a greater level of protection and helps combat the negative effects of enzymes (elastase and lipase). These enzymes are present in stomal output and have been shown to cause further damage to peristomal skin.
The importance of an absorbent ostomy seal is supported by Professor David Voegeli (2012), whose research has shown how using a product to ‘wick moisture away from at-risk skin’ is essential for preventing moisture associated skin damage (MASD).3 Our very own R&D team here at eakin® have also conducted in-vitro testing to show the absorbency performance of some of the market’s leading ostomy seals. You can see the results of the absorption test for yourself by clicking the video link below.
Guidance and resources
See the latest statistics on skin damage from stoma bag leaks, how these impact ostomates, and the importance of helping your patients choose a reliable ostomy seal.
Ostomy seal absorption video
Watch our test, which was developed by the eakin® R&D team, to visually show the absorbency performance of a range of ostomy seals available for your patients.
Clinical paper
See the latest data on absorbent, enzyme inhibiting seals, and how they can reduce peristomal skin problems while providing your stoma patients with other clinical benefits, too.
Absorbency matters infographic
Our latest infographic brings you our latest data on moisture associated skin damage (MASD), plus the research into why absorbency matters most when helping your patients choose an ostomy seal.
References:
1. Voegeli, D., Moisture-associated skin damage: aetiology, prevention and treatment. Br J. Nurs. 2012:21(9):517-520
2. Salvadena G, Cowell J, Skountrianos G, Pittman J, (2020) Lessons Learned About Peristomal Skin Complications. Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2020;47(4):357-363
3. Coloplast Ostomy Forums 2015/16. Ostomy Life Study
Ostomy products you can rely on
From pouches and seals to innovative accessories, our eakin® product range includes everything you need to support your patients after they’ve been discharged. You can order product samples directly from us or through your local rep to see the difference for yourself.
