Stoma odor

[nogutsnoglory]

I have used a bunch of deodorants but I still find when I empty the bag the odor is nasty. The scents fermenting with poop don't make a pleasant combo. The bag doesn't usually smell when closed up though which is good. I think even with the deodorants it's that my stoma itself smells like bad breath or vomit. I know its a piece of intestine so I don't expect roses but ugh. Is it safe to put the deodorant drops onto the stoma? I think it needs a bath a few times a day.

 

[PsychoJane]

I don't think I would put deodorant on my stoma... Well the last one I bought was bright blue so I'm guessing there probably is plenty of chemical in those things.
It's not a perfect solution either but my best bet as always been to put a bit of peroxide in my bag to diminish the odor. I figure that if I can handle peroxide in my mouth to treat ulcer it probably is not toooo big of a deal for the intestinal mucosa either. I would not go as far as putting peroxide on the stoma either but in the bag should be fine in my opinion.

 

[GutlessWonder86]

I will either spray lysol or a generic brand in the bathroom before I empty or have 2 candles lit then I blow them out before I go as it covers up the smell.

you can try Altoids candy to put in your bag. I've done that when I had to go out and didn't have any room spray to go. Before I'd leave, I'd put 3-4 mints in the bag. Then when it filled up, I'd empty and have it smelling minty instead of stinky.

BUT as with other advice on this forum, be sure to check with your doctor or ET RN before trying anything.

 

[Nyx]

I wouldn't really recommend putting anything but soap and water on your stoma. You don't want to mess with it. I don't have any advice beyond what the other posters have already stated...honestly, I don't even notice the smell when I empty or change any more..not sure why that is...lol

 

[UnXmas]

I don't know if stomas usually smell. How much does your stoma bleed? Mine doesn't seem to smell now, but when I first had it, and the output was all just blood, it stank. It was horrible - it smelled like when we dissected hearts back in school - the dead, blood smell. But now it's just the poo that smells (which is actually no where near as bad as the blood smell), a spray of deodoriser/air freshener into the room gets rid of it and replaces it with a nice smell easily. And once I've cleaned the stoma with babywipes, there's not even the poo smell. So I'm just wondering whether maybe your stoma is bleeding too much, or maybe you are passing a lot of blood? This might possibly be a more serious problem than just the smell.

But besides that - I wouldn't have thought it would do any harm to wash that stoma (just with water or with wipes) more often if you want to. I don't like it when I check through the see-through bit at the top of the bag and my stoma looks icky (i.e. covered in poop), so although I was told I could leave changing the bag and cleaning the stoma up to three days, I've been doing it at least every other day, and sometimes on two consecutive days because it just makes me feel nicer knowing it's all clean - even though the cleanness doesn't last long.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

No blood just reeks. I was hoping for an option where I don't need to remove the bag to wipe the stoma with a baby wipe or anything but it might need to be the option. I used mints in my bag, deodorant drops, lubricsting deodrant and mouth wash. Nothing helps much and doesn't reach the stoma itself anyway. I find the best thing is to shake water in there.

 

[annawato]

If you are using a two piece then you could remove the bag to clean your stoma with some tissue and warm water but I wouldn't put anything else directly onto your stoma. The smell is probably bile which tends to smell like vomit.
I just read in the Australian Stoma Magazine of a man who wiped the inside of his bag with tea tree oil before putting it on - jsut make sure you don't put it onto your stoma. I haven't tried this myself but tea tree oil is used for all sorts of things and I see no reason it wouldn't work for this. At least the smell will be better when you empty - particularly important if you are using a public restroom.
Let me know if this works for you. The other thing I have seen tried is eucalyptus oil - again NOT on the stoma. I just got some no-odor from Salts (i think). I'll let you know how I go with that.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I don't think I saw that on the Salts site, I'll need to take a look. I can't wait till they distribute in the states.

I wouldn't put those essential oils on my stoma but toilet paper gets stuck on my moist mucus stoma since it's a loop ileo.

I wonder if there is something food grade that smells really good that I can spray on the stoma. I think anything that can go in the mouth should be ok on the stoma.

 

[annawato]

yes well when you think what the bowel normally copes with it really is pretty tough - other than bleeding easily. I can't think of any food grade thing but maybe someone else can help.

 

[2thFairy]

I wouldn't put anything directly on the stoma except water, and soap as long as it is all rinsed off. The odor will lessen over time--truly! Your stoma is still new. Have you tried Hollister M9 deodorizing drops? They go into the stoma bag, but not directly on the stoma. The directions say to use up to 12 drops. I probably use twice that much, but it works good for me. However, really really really..the odor will lessen with time.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

The M9 doesn't do anything. The only thing that helps is swooshing water in my bag.