Ostomy Skin Barriers & Colostomy Skin Prep Products

An ostomy skin barrier is a protective layer between ostomy bags and peristomal skin. Barriers are most commonly known as ostomy wafers that adhere to skin and keep ostomy pouches in place. There are other ostomy supplies that you can use to ensure a good fit of the system and further protect the skin, such as skin barrier powders, ostomy ring barriers, sprays, pastes, creams, ostomy barrier wipes, and strip barriers.

If using two-piece ostomy pouches, you should change your ostomy skin barrier twice a week. One-piece ostomy bags should also be replaced every 3-4 days. Keep in mind that you must always wash your hands before and after you care for a stoma, whether it is replacing a colostomy bag, emptying a drainable pouch, or replacing the barrier wafers.

Ostomy wafers, also called flanges or baseplates, are available as pre-sized round barriers, as well as cut-to-fit ones that can ensure a good fit around oval and irregular stomas. Depending on whether they are needed for an ileostomy, a colostomy, or a urostomy, skin barriers can be designed to be more liquid-resistant or provide a gentler adhesion for frequent use. Stomas usually stick out slightly, making flat skin barriers the best choice. However, some stomas can be flatter and require convex skin barriers for improved adherence. To take skin protection to the next level, consider using protective skin care products specially designed for ostomies.

Ostomy ring barriers help ensure a better fit of the barrier system on curved body shapes or wrinkly skin, protecting against moisture and skin irritation. While not mandatory, barrier rings and seals are a welcome addition to any one-piece or two-piece ostomy system, especially if the peristomal skin is sensitive, already irritated, creased, or just uneven. Retracted stomas benefit greatly from convex inserts, which improve wearing time for ostomy bags of all types.

You should gently remove the skin barrier from top to bottom, pushing the skin away from it rather than pulling on the barrier. To make the process easier, painless, and without damaging the sensitive peristomal skin, consider using adhesive removers. Sprays are easy to apply and help remove the skin barrier without any issues, while wipes also clean the area, removing any adhesive residues from the skin. These products do not hurt or harm the skin in any way and they dry in just a few seconds so that you can stick a new skin barrier in place.

Barrier creams help maintain the skin's natural barrier and are particularly useful for protecting it against moisture. They are often used to treat and prevent diaper rash and stoma dermatitis. They are very useful for ostomy patients who want the best care for their sensitive peristomal skin which can suffer due to stoma appliances and body fluids. A skin barrier cream or spray will help create a water-repellant film, protecting the skin from leakage damage without interfering in any way with tape adhesion.

AllegroMedical.com carries a wide selection of ostomy bags, ostomy accessories, and skin care products such as skin barrier pastes, creams, wipes, powders, and sprays, all from top brands in the industry. If you want to protect the sensitive skin around your stoma and prevent allergic reactions from adhesives, choose a barrier cream or spray that allows taping, while also protecting against leakage.