Ostomy adhesives are used to anchor a pouch to the skin around a stoma, preventing leaks and damage to the skin. The choice of adhesive depends on factors such as the patient’s abdominal tone, position of the stoma, and type of appliance. Adhesives must also be hypoallergenic, absorb moisture, and not strip layers of skin. Patients must also consider their preferred appliance system and the flexibility of the adhesive. Ultimately, the choice of adhesive may depend on the patient’s ability to manipulate the appliance adhesive.
Ostomy adhesive is a material applied to the skin around a stoma – the outer opening around a stoma – to temporarily anchor the small, flat plastic “plate” of the pouch or appliance to the skin, to prevent the ostomy from escaping. excretory substance or effluent on the skin skin, to prevent damage to the skin around the stoma by adhesive or fluid action, and to avoid odor. Early ostomy adhesives were primarily intended to control leaks. Modern products are designed with many factors in mind. The specific type of ostomy adhesive recommended by an ostomy nurse is determined by a combination of factors: the patient’s abdominal tone; the position of the stoma in relation to the surrounding skin and any scars or skin folds and other features of the stoma, such as frequent or heavy leakage; the type of appliance; and the length of time the patient must wear the device.
There are different types of characteristics that an ostomy adhesive must demonstrate. Not only must it provide a protective seal against the effects of the effluents, the adhesive must demonstrate resistance to erosion secondary to the effluents, it must not affect the hydrogen potency (pH) level of the skin, it must qualify as hypoallergenic, it must absorb moisture and cannot stress the skin by leaving irritating residue or stripping layers of skin during appliance plate removal. Ostomy adhesives vary in providing these characteristics, so a patient’s choice of adhesive may vary. A patient’s choice of a specific ostomy adhesive may vary to treat increased skin irritation or to meet needs such as longer planned appliance wear time or outdoor use time during hot days.
Another feature a patient needs to consider when choosing an ostomy adhesive is their preferred appliance system. Ostomy appliances are usually one- or two-piece systems. A monobloc system is usually used for shorter periods of time, a few hours, and is replaced more frequently.
A two-piece system consists of a plate that surrounds the stoma and a clip system to secure the pouches in sequence. Two-piece systems usually require the plate in contact with the skin to remain in place for longer periods, such as days. Some ostomy adhesives are designed for hours of use, while others should stick to the skin for days.
Flexibility is another feature of ostomy adhesives that a patient needs to consider. The flexible adhesives will move with the body and therefore be more comfortable for an individual who has an active lifestyle. Their wear time is generally shorter, however, than other choices due to the mobile aspect of their seal. As expected, the flexible ostomy adhesive is easier to remove from the skin than rigid alternatives.
Ultimately, the choice of an ostomy adhesive may depend on the patient’s ability to manipulate the appliance adhesive. In some cases, patients are unable to fully visualize the stoma area. These cases require the ostomy adhesive to be applied to the appliance plate, which is then pressed to the skin around the stoma and therefore cannot be in dry form. For patients who are unable to self-treat an appliance, the choice of adhesive may depend on the patient’s lifestyle, mobility and personal preferences.
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