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A Mini Guide to Ostomy Supplies: Medical Tape (w/ video)

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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Joined: 11 years ago
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Let's talk about medical tape!

Have you found any that has worked particularly well for you? Share your tips below.

My full, written article on medical tape can be found by clicking on the link below.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@Tara Cullen)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1
 

I have a retracted stoma and use convex wafers from Coloplast Sensura. I found I would always have trouble with sticking, especially in the shower. I tried those expensive tapes made for ostomates, and also a film that ostomates on a message board liked. I hated both- I found the film made everything worse- not breathable, water would somehow get in during a shower, even just a drop but then it would eat away at the skin.
For the past decade I’ve sworn by hypafix medical tape (I’m in Canada too but it looks like your 3M tape above. It’s easy to apply, has some give to it, breathable, doesn’t leave adhesive, allergenic, and is so cheap! 1 roll cost $16 and it lasts me 13 months changing a pouch every 2-4 days. I can’t recommend hypafix highly enough!


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Joined: 11 years ago
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Glad the Hypafix tape works for you, Tara! 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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 Tina
(@Tina)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Hello, which hypafix Tape are you referring to? The waterproof or cloth one? The


   
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(@dogtalkerer)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 323
 

I found opsite doesn't have the holding power as the cymed microskin film.   has limited abilities to block a leak.

the hyafix is """"Permeable to moisture and air"""" , so that doesn't sound like a leak stop tape as well? does anyone use this as a leak stop?

vegan,  did you test these for leak prevention or is this jest a general intro to tapes?


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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@dogtalkerer

Tapes vary wildly depending on their application, so it's up to the person using the tape to decide which product they'll need to solve their problem. This article was more of an intro as not all tapes would be known to new patients.

A tape I would use as a general wound covering would be vastly different from one I'd use as a wafer extender. 

Interestingly enough, leak prevention can be enhanced by any tape (even porous ones) simply due to the fact that they apply more pressure to the wafer, which may be all you need. When I was treating a fungal infection, most of the underside of my wafer was unable to stick to the powder I was using, yet I never once had a leak in over a month because I used tape to secure the wafer. I'll probably write about the experience with photos and all at some point. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@dogtalkerer)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 323
 

guess that depends on your own definition of Leak Prevention.   for me a leak is gas as well as liquid.    one always comes before the other.    in your picture below,  shows why I did not like the hollister taped flange.   my observations, this tape is useless to detrimental .

Stoma Pro final leak

a cloth tape has no ability to hold back gas or liquid as is clearly shown, also since that tape is not transparent, you have little to no early warning of a leak on its way.

from my observations,  leaks are the #1 problem people face. 


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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@dogtalkerer

I tend to define leaks and blowouts as two separate problems, with blowouts being a complete breach of stool outside of the perimeter of the wafer. 

Blowouts should be rare to nonexistent.  Tape shouldn't be used to prevent blowouts and blowouts point to a much larger problem.

Leaks, on the other hand can vary from very minor to major (like the photo you posted) and can become a blowout if severe enough. 

Certain tape can be used to prevent leaks (I.e. by applying added pressure to the after and helping to support extra weight of the appliance) and can sometimes help with blowouts depending on the tape that's used.

A gas leak or stool leak are still leaks, so the appliance needs to be able to withstand both. While leaks can be caused for different reasons, leak prevention at the appliance level should be the same. 

I never rely on tape for leak or blowout prevention. Tape may be helpful, but it shouldn't be what either makes or breaks an appliance's reliability. 

I have used tape strategically to help meningitis certain situations, but never use it for "everyday wear". 

 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@dogtalkerer)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 323
 

in this picture I have a leak that is migrating, just starting by the index finger.  the cut-to-fit bags have a wider transparent margin all around.   this visible indicator gave me a days notice that replacement was necessary, or replacement needed if kayaking more than 4 miles.  i went 2 days past this as a test.

 

Image preview

 

a clear tape similar to microskin or better holding power than opsite would give me an addition day if wanted. say a sunday where I'm just sitting around.

I feel bad  people have stinky leaks in public.

with pancaking 85% - 90% of the time with my colostomy, pancake related failures have happened 4-5 times in 11ys.    those may have well been manufacturing tolerance problems or I did not spend enough time setting the flange to my skin.   2 piece pancake failures with you guys seems higher, which suggests the question ; why?     often my output is as thick as toothpaste from the refrigerator,  which mainly happens while I'm sleeping.

 


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Posted by: @dogtalkerer

 2 piece pancake failures with you guys seems higher, which suggests the question ; why? 

I don't know whether this is a statistical fact or not (it may appear that way because 2pc appliances are more popular), but anecdotally, I can say that a two-piece appliance may introduce more of an opportunity for leaks from one or more of the following reasons: 

1) Heavy bags (i.e. one that's full) will tug more on a 2pc appliance due to the extra leverage it has from the coupling. 

2) The plastic coupling will not conform to the body like a 1pc system, so bending may create instances where the wafer lifts more. 

3) 2pc appliances tend to get "caught" on things more easily (i.e. on a pant waist or belt). 

That said, there's no reason why someone can't get reliable wear times with a 2pc. Appliance failures, when they happen, can happen regardless of whether a 1 or 2pc appliance is being used. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@dogtalkerer)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 323
 

vegan, can you explain some things in detail?

"""Blowouts should be rare to nonexistent.  Tape shouldn't be used to prevent blowouts and blowouts point to a much larger problem.""""

why shouldn't tapes be used to prevent a blowout?   what else would you use? I do this to extend wear when I'm in  fix.     what kind of  "larger problem" are you referring to? in a way, thats the Cymed design of their microskin, tape preventing blowouts.

over the years I haven't spent much time online,  but leaks and blowouts seem to be the most common complaint.   so maybe they should be rare, but observation says they are not.

I agree that a 2 piece introduces a 2nd failure point, thats the exact reason I do not use 2 piece, besides they do not look comfortable to do any sort of bending in.

 

 

 


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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I'd be happy to answer these questions.
Posted by: @dogtalkerer

"""Blowouts should be rare to nonexistent.  Tape shouldn't be used to prevent blowouts and blowouts point to a much larger problem.""""

why shouldn't tapes be used to prevent a blowout?   what else would you use? I do this to extend wear when I'm in  fix.     what kind of  "larger problem" are you referring to? in a way, thats the Cymed design of their microskin, tape preventing blowouts.

Not to suggest that tape can't be used to prevent a blowout, I'm saying that if you have to rely on tape to prevent a blowout then there may be something else going on that's causing issues. 

Some things that come to mind might be:

- improper appliance fit.

- waiting too long to change the appliance.

- dietary variables that lead to excess gas.

- using too many products at one time

and so on. 

I'm not trying to make a blanket statement against the use of tape. Some people simply need to use tape to better secure their appliance during certain activities like swimming, and I certainly use tape strategically (sounds like you do the same). But I feel that if there aren't any special circumstances then an appliance should be "leak-free" on its own. 

over the years I haven't spent much time online,  but leaks and blowouts seem to be the most common complaint.   so maybe they should be rare, but observation says they are not.

I would say that leaks and blowouts do tend to be more common in the first year (this is a statistical fact), but a well-managed stoma should almost never have a problem with leaks. 

I hope that clarifies my point. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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