Learning To Live With An Ostomy - Odor Control

Health & Medical Blog

If you've recently had an ostomy, whether a temporary or permanent one, you may still be adjusting to the daily (and sometimes hourly) routine of cleaning and changing your pouch. Performing this ritual in the privacy of your own home's bathroom can be one thing, but when you need to empty your pouch while out and about, you may find yourself embarrassed by the odors it produces. Fortunately, there is a wide range of products you can use to get this odor under control and reduce the stress associated with your ostomy. Read on to learn more about your odor control options when living with an ostomy.

Deodorizing Tablets

These tablets can be placed directly in your ostomy pouch and will dissolve as they come into contact with liquids or solids. Because these tablets are very portable and can be easily placed in a pocket or a purse, they can be a great option for people on-the-go. You may need to do a bit of experimentation at home to determine how many tablets you need to add to your ostomy pouch to achieve the ideal level of odor control. Some tablets are long-lasting, which may mean that you only need to place a new one in your pouch once or twice a day instead of each time it's emptied, while others are designed for single use only.

Deodorizing Spray

Another option for those who don't want to place anything inside their ostomy pouch is a deodorizing spray. By spritzing this spray just before you change or clean your pouch, you'll be able to neutralize odors as soon as they hit the air. And if you're emptying your pouch into the toilet, there are also some oil-based spritzes that can be applied to the surface of the water and "lock-in" odors beneath the surface.

Deodorizing Lubricants or Gels

A final option can be the use of an ostomy deodorizer lubricant. This deodorizer, like deodorizing tablets, is applied to the inside of the ostomy bag. Because this deodorizer is oil-based, it can more easily coat the inside of the bag to prevent odors from escaping. Although there are some homemade lubricating deodorizers, it's usually best to run these by your doctor before purchasing or making one. Some of these homemade deodorizers utilize essential oils, which may smell wonderful but aren't always suitable for internal use, including use on or near a stoma.

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