How To Deal With Odors From Your Ostomy Bag

Ostomy bags are an essential part of life for those who have undergone a surgical procedure that results in the creation of a stoma. Although these bags serve a necessary purpose in daily life, it’s not uncommon to encounter some complications, such as dealing with odors emanating from the ostomy bag.

Since this can be an annoying problem for you and the people around you, it’s crucial to find a fix. Fortunately, in this article, we’ll share some helpful tips on how to deal with odors from your ostomy bag so you can feel more confident and comfortable in your day-to-day activities. All you’ll need to do is figure out which tip works best for you.

Manage Your Diet

Just like with the normal passing of gas, the smells that come from an ostomy bag mainly depend on your diet. That’s why controlling the foods you consume can significantly impact the odors produced by your ostomy bag.

In general, some foods will produce more gas, while others may cause more potent odors when processed by the body. To minimize odors, limit your intake of gas-producing foods like beans, cabbage, and carbonated beverages. Also, foods that can contribute to stronger odors include fish, onions, and eggs.

Remember, though, that everyone is different regarding the consistency and smell of their gas. That means you may need to experiment with your diet to determine what works best for you. Once you find and eliminate the problem foods, you should notice a significant improvement in the odor and consistency of your gas.

Empty and Clean the Ostomy Bag Regularly

Of course, gas isn’t the only contributing factor to smell. Your ostomy bag could be the culprit if you don’t maintain it well enough. Regularly emptying and cleaning your ostomy bag is an effective way to keep unpleasant smells at bay.

Depending on your ostomy type, you may need to empty your bag more or less frequently, so be sure to read the instructions clearly if you’re unsure. If the packaging doesn’t have that info, ask your healthcare provider for advice and follow their recommendations. After that, develop a consistent routine for emptying and cleaning your bag to prevent odors from building up.

Use Odor-Neutralizing Products

Sometimes, the changes you make to your diet and ostomy bag maintenance routine don’t make much difference. Fortunately, you’re not out of options just yet. An effective way to counteract ostomy bag odors is to use odor-neutralizing products, which come in various forms, such as sprays, drops, and tablets.

Stoma bag accessories such as deodorizing filters or lubricating deodorants can also help in managing odors. These tiny filters attach to the bag and aid in filtering out unwanted smells without hindering the gas release process. Adding a filter to your bag is a simple and effective way to control unpleasant odors.

No matter what you decide to use, these products will almost certainly make a noticeable difference. Most work by eliminating the odor-causing bacteria responsible for unpleasant smells, while others block the aromas better. Either way, by incorporating these products into your routine, you can rest assured that you will minimize odors.

Maintain Proper Hygiene

While all the previously mentioned products work well independently, none can keep up if you don’t maintain a proper hygiene schedule for your stoma. Keeping this area clean and maintaining good personal hygiene with it is an essential part of controlling odors.

To do this, clean the peristomal skin (the area around the stoma) daily with warm water and mild soap—avoiding harsh soaps, alcohol, or adhesive removers that can irritate the skin. Additionally, wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling your ostomy bag to prevent contamination and odor build-up.

If the skin becomes irritated, use skin lotions or creams to help soothe and heal it. Failing to do so will make things more uncomfortable for you and give foul odors another place to hide and release their unpleasant scent.

Choose a High-Quality Ostomy Bag

If all else fails, it might be time to look for a new ostomy bag type. Fortunately, there are many on the market to choose from. A reliable and high-quality ostomy bag can significantly affect odor control.

Low-quality bags or those with inadequate seals may allow gas and odor to leak out of the bag, leading to uncomfortable situations. While you can buy accessories to make up for these shortcomings, it’s better to buy a bag that doesn’t have those issues in the first place. Before choosing an ostomy bag, though, learn more about the options available and consult your healthcare professional to find the best solution for your needs.

Communicate With Your Healthcare Provider

Even after you try out our tips for dealing with odors from your ostomy bag, you still might not find a perfect solution. After giving a fair chance to the various odor-control methods, don’t hesitate to speak with your healthcare provider. They will have the expertise needed to better identify the source of your issue and give possible solutions to your problem.

This may include addressing any underlying issues contributing to stronger odors, suggesting specific odor-neutralizing products, or providing alternate solutions not mentioned in this list. No matter what they tell you, it’s always better to follow their advice than what you find here, so be sure to follow their instructions. In the end, communicating with your healthcare provider can offer you valuable insight into the best ways to manage odors from your ostomy bag.

Practice Mindful Habits

Finally, after you’ve discovered a method that works for you, be sure to keep up with it. Mindfulness can go a long way when it comes to reducing odors. Pay attention to the foods you eat, how often you empty your ostomy bag, or whatever else you need to track for your chosen method.

Additionally, being aware of the environment around you can make a difference in preventing undesirable situations caused by odors. For example, hot weather tends to help bad smells travel further than usual. Either way, with these tips and mindful habits in mind, you can feel more confident and comfortable with your ostomy bag.