Leakages

Why do stoma bags leak?

Please note: Leakages can occur for a number of reasons. It is really important to determine a cause for your leaks, your Stoma Care Nurse will be happy to discuss this with you in further detail. Please do seek help and advice.

Following surgery you may find that your abdominal shape changes, especially if you gain or lose weight. This will effect the size of the stoma, therefore it is very important that the size of your stoma is checked regularly. An ill fitting bag will result in sore skin. It is therefore important to regularly check your template size and suitability of your stoma bag.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, then you should contact your Stoma Care Nurse, as they will be able to help you with the measurements of your stoma.

A change in output from your stoma can cause issues with leakage. If the change in output continues for a number of days it is important for you to seek medical advice.

It is important to ensure that you are careful when removing your bag and gently clean around your stoma before drying thoroughly. If you are too vigorous, this can sometimes lead to sore skin. Removing the bag too frequently can sometimes also lead to the development of sore skin. Some people find it helpful to use adhesive remover spray or wipe to assist with removing the bag.

It is also important that you dry your skin thoroughly before applying your stoma bag. If the skin is too moist then this can also cause stoma bag leakages.

Leaks can also occur if the stoma protrusion has altered. It may mean you need to have an alternative product to help prevent leaks such as a convex product.

Please note: You must seek a Stoma Care Nurse assessment before using a convex product.

What stoma bags and additional products are available to help prevent this?

There are range of stoma bags available which are specifically designed to counteract the problems experienced with these types of stomas, such as Confidence BE^® Soft Convex.

We also have our Salts No-Sting Stoma Paste, which is a stoma paste which can even the surface on the skin, fill any creases or folds in the skin around the stoma. This stoma paste can create a perfect seal; reducing the chance of fluid leakages beneath the flange.

It is vital that before using a convex product you are assessed for its suitability by a Stoma Care Nurse.

Please note: If you are unsure what issue might be causing your stoma bag to leak or your stoma bag continues to leak, then you should contact your Stoma Care Nurse immediately. 

If you are unsure on how to correctly change and wear your stoma bag, then please visit our dedicated pages below on our website to help you change and wear your stoma bag correctly: