Ostomy Supporting Products – Paste

Disclaimer: The information in this post is based on product knowledge from product information direct from the manufacturer and also personal use of products within my own stoma care. All experiences given here are my own and should not be taken as medical advice. If you require advice or support about any aspect of your stoma care, please contact your SCN in the first instance or your GP.

If you are looking for the entire ‘Ostomy Supporting Products‘ series, you can find them all here.

What is it?

‘Paste’ refers to a tube or strip of paste which is used as a filler around the stoma.

Common selling points can be:

• Used to fill uneven skin contours near the stoma to create a flatter surface.
• Used to help prevent output from getting under the baseplate.
• Helps to provide an ideal surface for your stoma bag to adhere to.
• Low or alcohol-free; with none of the stinging associated with traditional pastes.
• Helps increase stoma system wear-time and protect skin.

Strip paste fills out creases and deep folds absorbing moisture and creating an even surface for the baseplate. Orabase paste also has the same properties; both of which are used in instances where paste can interfere with the skins integrity due to an underlining skin condition.

Who uses it?

For those with uneven skin around their stoma, they find that getting and maintaining a secure seal is sometimes difficult. Whilst seals and barrier can help, paste is another layer of protection. Usually found in those who have an ileostomy, it can also be helpful for urostomies too; as well as colostomies when they have looser output due to medication or illness.

How is it used?

There are two method to applying paste.

Direct to bag:

When is it used?

This product is usually used when weight gain has caused a change into the peristomal skin or a wound had healed and created a dip. Being aware that sometimes ostomies are created with a large midline incision, the healing of this incision and possible scar  / wound complications can happen; usually paste is used after the post op period.

Unless there is a correction to the stoma, either by relocating or re-fashioning, the paste is usually a product used long-term after this. For some, they change to different pastes due to their skin’s reaction to first paste tried.

Most of the products on the market now are low or alcohol free to avoid burning or stinging of the skin. Some paste are made from a hydrocolloid which is friendly to skin and easy to remove. There are also pastes designed for skin conditions too, through reaction or known sensitivity.

My experience

I first started using paste about a year ago after I gained weight. I didn’t want to change the convexity of my pouch but needed to fill in a dip that was getting deeper with the additional weight. My SCN recommended Stomahesive paste and asked me to apply direct to the skin before the seal and bag. I did this for a while, but soon learnt that applying direct to the baseplate was better for getting a more consistent seal.

For me, this has become an important part of my change routine. Without the paste, I find I will leak within 24 hrs on my left side. With a strong application – meaning a thicker single layer – this can last me the usual two days. I also find a tube can last me a good three months at a time, as a small amount goes along way! Removing the paste if stuck directly to the baseplate is easier than direct to skin, but in both instances; stubborn sticky pieces are be left behind. Using a good adhesive remover is essential but also a remover wipe can be handy to get the excess that is left behind too.

Samples

• Salt’s No Sting Stoma Paste
• Hollister Adapt Skin Barrier Paste
• CliniMed Welland Stoma Paste
• Coloplast Brava Paste
• Coloplast Strip Paste
• ConvaTec Stomahesive Paste
• ConvaTec Orabase Paste

NB: all products are available on the UK Drug Tariff and should be available on prescription. For those with a permanent stoma, they are entitled to stoma products under a Medical Exception Certificate, valid for 5 years. Some GP’s are governed by a Clinic Commissioning Group (CCG) Formulary – which dictates qualities and expected usage of products. It is worth enquiring about this, if needs be. 

Do you have any questions or queries? Or just want to share your own experiences? You can leave me a reply here or leave comments via my social media accounts – on Twitter, find my blog page on Facebook and over on Instagram

Further Reading:

The Front Butt YouTube – Ostomy Leak Prevention: Stoma Paste – Brava Paste

VeganOstomy – A Mini Guide to Ostomy Supplies: Stoma Paste

Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) – Basic Ostomy Skin Care: A Guide for Patients and Healthcare Providers (pdf)

Hollister US – Ostomy Care Tips: Adapt Paste

Disclaimer: The information in this post is based on product knowledge from product information direct from the manufacturer and also personal use of products within my own stoma care. All experiences given here are my own and should not be taken as medical advice. If you require advice or support about any aspect of your stoma care, please contact your SCN in the first instance or your GP.