One of the most recognized products in the ostomy world are Eakin Cohesive Seals.
The brand is so well-known that an entire category of products, barrier rings, are often referred to simply as “Eakin rings”, much like how we often use the name “Xerox” to mean photocopy.
I’ve been buying Eakin Cohesive Seals for over a year, and it’s time for a review!
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About the Product
The Eakin Cohesive Seals are manufactured by TG Eakin Ltd., a family owned and operated company based out of Northern Ireland.
Eakin has been making Cohesive Seals since 1980, and they’ve been a product I’ve used to help heal my skin and prevent leaks.
The seals come in several shapes and sizes, but I’ve used the Small Cohesive Seals and the Slim Cohesive Seals over the last little while.
Cohesive Seals are like sticky plasticine rings, perhaps a bit stiffer than that, but they are intended to help prevent leaks for all types of ostomies (ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy).
They are free of animal ingredients and are quite gentle on the skin.
Both the Small Cohesive and Slims are 48mm in diameter, but the Slims are… slimmer (approx. 4.2 mm vs. 3mm).
One nice thing about this product is that you can cut, mold and shape these however you like.
Because of this, I find that buying the thicker rings works best for me because I can use an entire ring or split it up and use half the amount (essentially turning it into Slims).
The Small and Slim Cohesive Seals are sold in boxes of 20 or 10 sealed packets (although you get 30 in Europe), and there is a larger, 98mm version called Large Cohesive Seals, which are ideal for urostomies, and that one is packaged in boxes of 10.
How I Use These Rings
There are two ways to apply these rings: directly onto your skin before applying your wafer or onto your wafer before sticking it to your skin.
When I started using these rings, I found that applying them to my skin worked well, but I ran into a few appliance changes where my stoma would be a little wet (as stomas tend to be) and if the Cohesive seal would touch it, it would no longer stick properly to my skin.
Now, I’ll stick the seals to my already-cut wafer before applying the wafer to my skin.
This has been the most reliable way, but it’s a matter of preference.
The seals are meant to last the entire time you wear your appliance, which for me has been between 3-5 days (mostly 3).
Cohesive Seals have a tendency to break down with prolonged exposure to moisture, including sweat, which causes them to “melt”.
This hasn’t happened often to me, but it is something that does happen under the right circumstances; these seals have lasted longer than other products I’ve used.
Do They Work?
For the most part, Eakin Cohesive Seals have worked to help heal the skin around my stoma and prevent leaks.
I do, however, find that the results can sometimes be inconsistent, which is common for barrier rings, at least in my experience.
For instance, I might see very little erosion after 4 days of wear on one appliance change, and very heavy erosion after 3 days of wear on another.
I’ve had a few leaks while wearing these seals (which were contained under my wafer), although I can’t say that the seals have been to blame every single time, I’m more inclined to point the finger at overnight pouch ballooning instead.
I’ve also notice that when I use a full thick seal (Small Cohesive Seal), it can sometimes create more pressure on the skin around the stoma, similar to what a convex wafer does, and that causes my appliance to stick out a bit and it makes things slightly uncomfortable; the Slim seals do not do this.
One thing I don’t like about this product (and other barrier rings, for that matter), is that it leaves a very sticky residue on my fingers when I’m molding it during an appliance change.
This can make things a challenge when applying a wafer, although a certain level of stickiness is expected in order to adhere to your skin and create a good seal.
Worse than having sticky fingers, though, is how difficult these are to remove off my skin..
I use adhesive remover wipes, but it’s a challenge to remove the seal and its residue during an appliance change.
The reason I find this particularly frustrating is because shaving around my stoma is impossible if that residue isn’t removed completely off my skin.
Conclusion
At the time of this writing (March 2015), a box of 20 Small Cohesive Rings (p/n 839002) cost around CDN$120, and a 10 pack of Slims (p/n 839005) are approx. CDN$60.
As stated before, these come packaged in boxes of 30 in Europe.
ConvaTec is the main distributor of Eakin products in Canada and the United States, so any retail store that stocks ConvaTec ostomy supplies should have Eakin products too.
These are covered by my insurance company (Green Shield Canada), and should be covered by most other insurance providers.
Eakin does offer free samples internationally through their site HERE.
Pros:
- Helps prevent leaks and protects the skin around the stoma.
- Manufactured by a family owned and operated company.
- Can help to save money if your leaks forced you to change your appliance often (also see con re: cost).
- Can be molded to fit around any size or shape of stoma.
- Available internationally.
- No animal ingredients.
- Gentle on the skin.
- Individually sealed.
Cons:
- Inconsistent results (for me).
- Can sometimes “melt” during sweating and high temperatures (i.e summer).
- Leaves a residue on skin that requires an extra effort to remove.
- Can add a significant cost to your appliance change if you aren’t trying to prevent leaks (also see pro).
Recommended
There’s no doubt that Cohesive Seals can be a huge asset for any ostomate who’s experiencing leaks or soreness around their stoma (caused by leaks).
They’ve helped my skin tremendously, and I know of many ostomates who’ve experienced the same benefit.
Despite some of the annoyances that are common with this type of product, Cohesive Seals can improve the quality of life for any ostomate who’s experiencing skin or appliance problems.
Info: For more information, please visit: https://www.eakin.eu/
Question: Have you used Eakin Cohesive Seals? How have they worked for you?
Hello could you explain the whys people use the slim rings compared to the thicker ones.
I have a 11 month old urostomy. Due to bladder cancer.
I have such leaking issues. Always to the upper medial side of my appliance.
I always wonder why the urine is going uphill.
Yes I have some ripples in my skin because my scar is so close and it healed puckered. I do use putty in the deep one and believe these rings are filling in the smaller ones
Hi Sharon,
I can’t speak for others, but I personally find the thick rings to put too much pressure around my stoma and it feels uncomfortable. The slim rings do what I expect them to, so I prefer to use them.
Sometimes, thicker rings can help to slow down the breakdown of the ring which can help to preserve the skin, and some people want that extra convexity that it provides to their appliance because it can help to push the stoma out a little and help with leaks.
With urine, it’s a little more difficult to manage leaks because it can travel in the smaller gaps and holes. If you haven’t already done so, I suggest trying a few brands of rings to see if any work better for you – some breakdown and “melt" and others hold their shape quite well.
Good luck!
Sharon….I have an Ileostomy with at times liquid output. Water or liquid only needs the SLIGHTEST available open channel and it will run through that!! I find the thicker (Small Eakin Rings) work better for me, as the Eakin Slims dissolve too fast around the stoma, due to my liquidy output. I also use the Hollister CeraRing and I strongly suggest you give those a try. They contain Ceramides, to really help protect the skin. You need to mould them on the skin around the stoma and then gently mould them inwards towards the stoma so there are no gaps. I always stand for a while (or slowly walk and potter about) while the seal and bag warm and “settle in”. It’s not a good idea to change just before getting into bed (unless you REALLY HAVE TO). Lying down after a change can lead to leaks as liquid DOES, strangely, flow upwards or sideways on me!! Hope this helps.
Hey Teddy
I hope all is well. I was reading your comments and I hope you were able to resolve your problem if it still exist due to leaks. I’m looking at the comments because I had a colostomy for 9 months. Out of self preservation, I created a product that will literally solve all your leakage problems.
I too had found Eakins seals an improvement to my leakage problems. Still at times the leaks persisted especially if the skin was moist. Eakins seals do preserve the skin. My product used in complimentary to Eakins seals will literally remove all the PTSD that comes with leakage.
You will be able to sleep at night. Without waking up thinking your bag is leaking.
It gave me my life back!
I’m looking at what it will take to bring it to the market.
I hope so because its devastateing at times when the leakage become a problem.. I was hospitalized twice both for 14 day stays due to burn from my waste.
I feel the pain of all those that suffer from leakage issues, God willing I will be able to offer a solution. Take care and I wish you the best.
Hi Syd, I echo what Eric has said, on a little child it’s going to need professional help to access the situation. It’s a shame you’re not receiving proper care but maybe joining the forum you can give more details and could be directed toward help.
Hi
My one year old baby had an ilesotomy two weeks ago and we have been struggling with his stoma care. We have done three bag changes so far ( 2 were the two piece and the third was the pelican convex since his stoma is flushed). Despite using stoma powder, barrier spray, aroma paste once and cohesive seal the third time, his skin got excoriated. I have for now removed the bag and just placed a guaze. Shall I let his skin heal first or How shall I resume the use of bags ?
Would a alcohol free paste heal the excoriation ?
At the last change I had tried using the cohesive seal directly around his stoma but I found it challenging to make it sit securely. It kept sticking on my finger and I could tell it wasn’t secure around the stoma and therefore when I remove the bag I noticed that stool had leaked underneath. Can you give me a step wise guidance on stoma bag application for a non-protruding stoma.
I am frustrated with the lack of stoma care support in my location
Hi Syd,
I’m so sorry to hear that your little one is going through that.
Do you have access to a stoma nurse, preferably one who has experience with pediatric patients? A nurse should be assessing both the skin, appliance, and technique to ensure the best results.
Sometimes, using all those extra supplies just makes things worse, so a nurse should be able to scale things back to basics. Depending on why the skin is excoriated (it could be more than just the leaks), your “next step" may differ from if you were just taking a stubborn leak.
I do hope that a nurse can help you. Please, feel free to join the forums as a registered member so you can ask more questions and give us updates. http://www.veganostomy.ca/community/
Syd- I had to look up the word “excoriated". I have had that raw burning skin. So not fun! Years ago, a young Mom I new had her baby boy the same days as my girl was born. Her son was born without a rectum and anus. They were able to create one and train him to use it. Amazing! On one visit she was healing a rash like this and had applied Penetin baby rash cream to the area, then a powder. Not sure what it was back then, but I used the Stoma Powder on mine, along with the Penetin. I changed the bag twice a day till I saw a difference. Then moved to once and then every second and so forth. I also slept on a slant, allowing gravity to take things down the bag. I also stopped using Eakin Rings as I had no valleys to fill. Very few issues since. For that sticky residue of the Rings, I used a product bought from the pharmacist called Solvo-Plast ll. Smelly but it worked great. Please give your little one a hug from this gramma. You are all in my prayers!
Hi All and Eric, thanks so much for the website. Truly a boon for this new ostomate (April 20, Ilesotomy) I had leaks with the Sensura Mio and added an eakin slim. I found the skin was still irritated. My question is how much should I be moulding the ring to the stoma? Is it really important to get it up close and firm? The video on the Eakin website seems to imply this. Thanks in advance.
Hey Todd. Barrier rings should be “snug" around the stoma, but I wouldn’t worry too much as they will fill in any gaps as they absorb moisture, and they stretch out if your stoma expands a bit (i.e. during a bowel movement).
Todd….If you place them on the skin around the stoma, right up close to the stoma, the inner edges of the ring should already be just touching the stoma. I then gently press the inner edges right up close against the stoma. Stand up and walk about, to allow the ring and appliance Wafer to completely settle and adhere to the skin. Try not to lie down or sit until the appliance has fully “settled in”, so try and do your changes morning time IF you can.
I have used mostly Eakin thick rings, and started having leaks a couple of weeks after my ileostomy, on Aug 9. Using convex rings, protective (plastic) wipes, and 4 inch rings don’t help. The biggest improvement was when I started spraying the skin side of the rings with Hollister medical adhesive (letting them dry before application). But this isn’t perfect, and I get a lot of melting, presumably from the warm output. I will try Tegaderm rings. Something has to work reliably.
Glad the Hollister spary is an improvement. I have a bottle and haven’t tried it yet!