Blog

Looking After Your Skin Around Your Stoma, Ostomy (Because Comfort Changes Everything)

Taking care of the skin around your stoma, ostomy isn’t just about hygiene… it’s about comfort, confidence, and feeling like you again.

Because when your skin is sore, itchy, or breaking down, everything feels harder. Your mood dips, your confidence drops, and even the simplest daily tasks can feel overwhelming.

But when your skin is healthy?
You feel calmer. Lighter. More in control.

Let’s walk through this together.

Gentle really does matter

When removing your bag, be kind to your skin. Adhesive remover sprays or wipes can make such a difference — no pulling, no trauma, just ease.

Warm water is often enough. You don’t need lots of products. In fact, too many can actually make things worse.

If you do use a cleanser, keep it simple and pH-balanced. Avoid anything with fragrance or harsh ingredients. Your skin has already been through enough.

Here is the link to free video https://bit.ly/4q6Se6W

Pat, don’t rub

This might sound small… but it’s powerful.

After cleaning, gently pat your skin dry. Rubbing can cause irritation, and over time, that builds up into soreness or even damage.

Think of it as caring for delicate skin — because that’s exactly what it is.

Protect… but don’t overload

Barrier creams, powders, sealants — yes, they all have their place.

But here’s something many people don’t realise: sometimes less really is more.

If your skin is healthy, you may not need anything extra. And if you’re using too many products, they can stop your flange from sticking properly or even block the healing benefits of your bag.

It’s about finding what your skin needs — not what everyone else is using.

Beautiful stoma, ostomy lingerie, bag cover Buy Now https://www.etsy.com/shop/unspokenrosebud

The right fit changes everything

A well-fitting bag is one of the biggest game changers.

If your flange fits snugly around your stoma, ostomy, it protects your skin from leaks. And leaks are often the main cause of irritation and soreness.

If something doesn’t feel right — trust that feeling.

You deserve comfort, not constant adjusting or worrying.

Routine creates calm

Changing your bag regularly helps your skin stay healthy.

Leaving it too long can lead to irritation, but changing it too often can also upset your skin.

This is where you learn your rhythm. Your routine. Your normal.

And once you find that… life feels that little bit easier.

Keep an eye on your skin (without panic)

It’s important to check your skin, but not in a way that creates fear.

A little redness now and then can happen. But ongoing soreness, broken skin, or weeping areas need attention.

The sooner you notice changes, the easier they are to manage.

Free facebook group which will help you navigate the life of having an ostomy, stoma https://www.facebook.com/groups/stomaostomywhatabag

What you eat and drink matters too

Your skin reflects what’s going on inside your body.

Staying hydrated and eating well supports healing, strength, and overall skin health.

This isn’t about being perfect — it’s about giving your body what it needs to support you.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

If your skin is struggling, please don’t sit with it hoping it will just get better.

Reach out to a stoma, ostomy nurse or healthcare professional. Sometimes a small change can make a huge difference.

And sometimes… you just need reassurance that you’re doing okay.

A gentle reminder

There is no “perfect” way to do this.

There is only your way.

What works for one person might not work for another — and that’s okay.

This is about learning your body, trusting yourself, and building confidence step by step.

💬 Have you struggled with sore skin around your stoma, ostomy? Or found something that really helped you? Share below — your experience could help someone else feel less alone.

Hi I am Helinka Carr and have lived with an ileostomy following bowel cancer.

So I’ve been where you are.
I know the panic, the grief, the shock, the tears, the fear of living with this bag stuck to the tummy…

And I rebuilt myself, one tiny step at a time.

Now I help people do the same with compassion, humour, and real-life tools that work.

My Story Short & Real 💪

I’m Helinka Carr. In 2013, bowel cancer and surgery and treatment left me with an ileostomy. Life with a stoma, ostomy didn’t just change my body, it rocked my confidence, mindset, and sense of who I was.

I didn’t want to just “get by.” I wanted to feel good in my body again. When I couldn’t find anything that helped me feel confident or feminine, I made it myself.

I support people emotionally and mentally as a clinical hypnotherapist and therapist, helping calm anxiety, rebuild confidence, and feel safe in their bodies again. Plus I have designed specialised stoma, ostomy lingerie that covers the bag with elegance, beautiful and pretty.I found that I couldn’t find such lingerie when I first had my bag.

You are not alone. And life can  be and will still feel good 💖