Ostomy Checklist: 15 Crucial Supplies to Keep On Hand

Have you or your loved one recently had a colostomy? 

This life-saving procedure changes the way that waste exits the body by creating a surgical opening in the abdomen called a stoma. A pouch (or bag) goes over the stoma, collecting feces and other discharge when they exit the body.

If you or your loved one have an ostomy, it’s important you have certain supplies on hand. An ostomy kit can improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of complications, including skin irritation and infection.

We’ve put together this all-in-one checklist so you know exactly which items to buy. Here are 15 crucial supplies to include in your ostomy kit:

1) Ostomy barrier ring/ Ostomy barrier seal: To prevent leaks and protect your skin

The barrier ring or barrier seal is one of the most crucial pieces of your ostomy setup. It protects your skin from discharge, reducing the risk of infection and irritation. 

We carry several types of ostomy barrier seals. They can be molded into a variety of shapes to prevent leakage, or act as a filler to keep your ostomy pouch flush against your skin.

2) Adhesive remover: For pain-free barrier ring or barrier seal removal

Barrier rings and barrier seals should stick to your skin. But when it’s time to change your ostomy bag, strong adhesive may make removing the ring or seal painful. Adhesive remover provides a gentle and pain-free experience.

Adhesive removers come in various forms, including wipes, ointments, and sprays. After application, they stop the barrier ring or barrier seal from sticking to your skin. 

3) Underpads: To protect furniture and bedding from leakage

There might be times when you need to change your ostomy bag on the go. 

Disposable coverings like underpads, (also known as “chux”) make it easy to protect furniture, bedding, or upholstery from incontinence.

Putting a few underpads down before changing your ostomy pouch makes cleanup that much easier.

There are reusable and disposable options. All underpads offer reliable, waterproof protection, regardless of type.

4) Ostomy barrier paste: To keep the barrier ring flush with your skin

All stomas release mucus and discharge. While barrier rings and barrier seals provide some protection, they don’t always lie flush against your skin.

If there are small pockets or gaps between your skin, and the barrier ring or barrier seal, fluid can leak beyond it, causing a rash or irritation. Ostomy barrier paste fills those openings, preventing any type of leakage.

5) Gloves: To keep your hands clean

Changing an ostomy bag isn’t hard, but it can be messy. Consider wearing disposable gloves, if you don’t want to wash your hands after each step. When you’re finished, take the gloves off, and throw them in the trash.

6) Lubricant: To prevent buildup around your stoma

It’s common for fecal matter to collect at the top of your ostomy bag near the stoma (something many in the ostomy community call “pancaking.”) 

Squeezing some lubricant into a new ostomy bag before its application can help prevent this buildup from happening. What’s more, many lubricants contain deodorizers, providing an extra line of defense against unwanted smells.

7) Ostomy pouch deodorizer: To neutralize odors

Speaking of unwanted smells –– make sure your ostomy kit includes an ostomy pouch deodorizer. 

All modern ostomy bags have built-in air filters with charcoal, but deodorizers provide even more protection. These products attack and destroy odor molecules on contact, instead of simply trying to mask unpleasant smells with perfume. 

8) Support belt: To hold your ostomy bag in place

An empty ostomy bag weighs very little, but it gets heavier over the course of the day. The more waste the bag collects, the more likely it is to detach from your stoma and leak. A support belt can prevent this type of thing from happening. 

Support belts are made of fabric and wrap snugly around your abdomen. They keep your ostomy bag in place whether you’re sleeping, running errands, or exercising.

9) Protective powder: To protect the sensitive skin around the stoma

The skin around a stoma is especially susceptible to infection, so it’s vital you keep the area clean and dry. 

Protective powder absorbs moisture and protects your skin from irritation. And, because it keeps your stoma dry between changes, it extends the life of your barrier rings and barrier seals.

10) Gauze: To cover your stoma during ostomy bag changes

Whenever it’s time to change your ostomy bag, cover your stoma with clean gauze. The gauze prevents discharge from making contact with your skin and reduces exposure to microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. 

As soon as the new bag ostomy bag is ready for application, remove the gauze covering and throw it away.

11) Adult Wipes: For an easy cleanup

Changing an ostomy bag is messy, but adult wipes can protect your skin and provide a more sterile environment. 

At Carewell, we carry adult wipes from renowned providers, including McKesson, Prevail, and Attends. Many contain ingredients like aloe and vitamin E and are specifically formulated to moisturize and support the skin.

12) Soft paper towels: For drying your hands

Toileting through a stoma presents the risk of infection. So, it’s important to wash your hands with soap and warm water after each step. 

A roll of soft paper towels makes it easy to dry your hands or wipe things down –– fast. You don’t have to worry about doing laundry, either. Toss the used paper towels in the trash when you’re finished.

13: Washcloth: For wiping up spills or cleaning your stoma

On a budget? Concerned about your environmental impact? Substitute paper towels or adult wipes with a washcloth. If you clean the skin around your stoma the washcloth needs to be unused. Using a dirty cloth may result in an infection.

14) Laundry detergent: For hassle-free cleanups

Ostomy bags are amazing tools, but they aren’t perfect. If you or your loved one toilet through a stoma, accidents, and leaks will happen. This can be frustrating, but it’s part of the process. Stocking up on good detergent can provide peace of mind and make things easier.

15)  Ostomy pouches: For the collection of waste

There are two types of ostomy pouches –– drainable pouches and closed pouches. Drainable pouches are reusable; while closed pouches are single-use.

Most experts recommend changing an ostomy bag every 5-7 days. Still, you may need to change yours more frequently, depending on the condition of your skin around the stoma, the climate you live in, and how much you sweat.

Need more help with ostomy supplies?

Choosing the right ostomy products can be overwhelming, which is why we’re here to help! 

If you or a loved one recently had a colostomy, you probably have lots of questions. Our caregiving specialists can help you find the items you need within your budget. 

Call (855) 855-1666 any time. We’re here to support you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!