Steps On Replacing Your Ostomy Appliance

By Arline Bradley


A person might have been on an ostomy previously. If you also had one, you should be wearing the appliance all the time. Sometimes, people who have it get so frustrated. Sometimes, it would make you want to scratch it as it gets itchy.

Continue reading so that you will know what you have to do. The steps written in the article will teach one the proper steps on changing an ostomy appliance. If you do the steps, you will be sure that the surrounding skin will be maintained as healthy as it should be.

Before you start, you must have all of the materials you will be needing ready. One needs to prepare clean water, some gauze strips and paper towels. You also have to prepare a new bag. It should already be pre cut. One has to have to old one disposed so it would be better to have all necessary things ready.

Remove your t shirt first. You should insert a paper towel between your skin and underwear. This would help in changing bags in a way that is neat. This would also help in avoiding dirt from getting on your underwear and your skin when you will change.

As you get rid of the old one, hold down your skin with your hand. Pull it away so your stoma would be uncovered completely. Throw it away on your trash can. Be certain that there is a trash can near you when you replace it so throwing it away would only be one reach away. It is best to have the hair around shaved. This would aid in making your bag stick well. It will also lessen the pain when you are pealing it off.

Soak those strips of gauze on water to wipe your skin. You have to pay much attention on the parts surrounding it. Wipe your stoma until it gets clean. Use the paper towel to have it dried. It is suggested that you use it as it is capable of absorbing fast. It will not stick on the skin too.

You may apply some lotion. This would help make the sore lesser. But, you have to think twice of applying it as it will hinder your appliance from sticking much better. Place the new ones. Be certain it sticks. You could use your palms in sticking it.

It would be better if you will be changing it in the morning. This is the time that the stoma is the smallest although it is still active. Most people who have it do that as well. The number of times you are going to be changing your appliance will depend on your supply and its behavior. There would be circumstances that you could just do that every other day. There would also be circumstances that it should be done every day. If you think that is not budget friendly just have that done every morning.

One could seek the help of a professional on how you could take care of it better. A professional could also suggest the best appliance for you. They could also suggest some stuff that could lessen the pain when you are changing. Prior to doing all the steps listed above, make sure you have cleaned your hands. Through this, you can avoid any infections.




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