Can the paste get under the barrier?

I'm having lots of trouble with my barrier losing its seal right at the stoma. I get everything dry, put a ring of paste down, smooth it out, then stick the bag on. I could swear I'm doing it exactly like the nurse did and hers didn't leak. It seems like maybe the portion of the paste the barrier overlaps might be the problem. Do I need to cut the hole large enough to not overlap the paste?

I have some of the coloplast rings but they seem to be as useless as the paste in that they don't really provide a barrier......they just don't seem to stick for very long.

Hey SC, one thing that's not mentioned too often is the mucousy, slimy stuff on the outside of the stoma. I think it can interfere with the paste, a seal or anything we want to stick on the peristomal skin. A paper towel to dry it immediately before applying anything next to it might help. Just be gentle. Also, Cavillon or Smith & Nephews barrier films seem to work well.
Please keep us posted,
Michael A

I use a hair dryer at low setting to get really dry.

I stopped using a seal -- my supplier ran out of them, and the leaking stopped almost completely. I change every 6 days, and I usually have about a 1/4 inch at most -- usually less -- of output right around the stoma. When using the seal, output usually covered all the skin under seal, and most of the skin under the adhesive part of the wafer. And would frequently be heading out under the tape. I know I'm virtually alone in having better results without the seal, but thought I'd mention it. I do use Cavilon, my skin gets a bit red if I don't, though it usually gets almost back to normal in the shower.

I also found the paste to be too difficult to handle.

Does anyone actually have NO output at all around the stoma?

Ann

I know what you mean, the little area right under the stoma, always damp. Use powder. I squirt tons of powder all around, blow off the excess with the hair dryer- I do this 3x, then put on the Eakin seal, then the wafer. Works great, no leaks. And I shower without a bag often- if it's time to change the bag, but not the wafer, I take it off, jump in the shower, then stick on a new dry bag when I get out. Or I shower with nothing, if it's time to change everything. It can make a mess, but if you time it right... after a bit of time, you'll realize when the stoma is less active.

I'm about ready to dub this impossible. Its like the range of motion from sitting to standing creates contours around my stoma that causes the barriers to fail in short order. Very frustrated with it. At least I was able to get the skin washed and treated.

I put a thin ring of paste on the underside of the wafer and then put the wafer on. This works well for me.

Sherrine