DIY Ileostomy Deodorant Alternatives and Safety Tips

I have been just informed that Medicare has reduced the allotment of ostomy deodorant to one 8 0z bottle of ostomy lubricant/ deodorant per month. I have been using Hollister M9 with good results but 8 oz/month will not suffice. On line a bottle sells for ~$27.00.

I am looking to make a substitute deodorant. Has anybody had experience using mouthwash and dilute hydrogen peroxide (an effective bactericidal agent)? I am looking for approximate proportions; I am aware that hydrogen peroxide if too concentrated  can cause irritation of the stoma. I would appreciate any suggestions...

How much M9 do you use per month now?

I have used baking soda for years, as it absorbs odor.  It's also inexpensive and a large box lasts forever.  I just scoop a little bit in after emptying.  

I have been using slightly less than 2 8oz bottles per month for a relatively active ileostomy.

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

So you get 1 for free like normal. Then, figure out how much whatever concoction you’re gonna use costs along with your time/effort to make/store it, and then see how much the 2nd bottle really costs you. And also figure in whether your new “brew” works as well as the M9 does and that you have confidence in. 

Fortunately, I can afford the second bottle of M-9 deodorant if necessary, but it frosts me that some government bureaucrat who knows nothing of ostomies or ileostomies decides that I don't need more than one bottle per month.

My medicaid only pays for 4 bottles of 1oz bottles a month. It isn't enough by far. They used to give me an 8oz bottle a month but now are going down to 1oz bottles and I can get 4 in a month. So that is not a lot. If I want more I have to buy it out of pocket. Just like if I want adhesive remover spray instead of wipes I have to buy them out of pocket. The wipes do nothing. I hate them. And if I want no sting barrier wands instead of wipes I have to buy them out of pocket for $64 for 25 in a box. That is a lot of money for me to be spending out of pocket. Some of it is the distribution company and some is medicaid. Mostly it's Byram. What they carry.

I'm with you! My supplier kept telling me that Medicare had a 4-bottle limit per quarter on my Brava lube/deodorant. I go through one 8 oz bottle in 2 weeks. I had a Medicare rep do a conference call with me and them, and the message was clear: Medicare sets no such limit. It was all about the way my doc wrote the script. The supplier found it easier to lay it on Medicare than deal with the issue.

My husband isn't on Medicaid, but he uses Safe n Simple ostomy deodorant. Is that offered under Medicaid? We buy it off Amazon; one 8-ounce bottle is half the price of M9 drops. Never has an issue with odor. He gets about 3 weeks out of the 8-ounce bottle, but it could probably stretch to a month.

A few months back on this forum, someone posted about using aspirin instead of a deodorant, I have been doing that ever since.  Just recently I tried a couple drops of peppermint essential oil.

That’s good to know Henry. Especially with your length of experience. 

Hi Alex.   I’ve been using hydrogen peroxide full strength for years, since 2018 when I had my ileostomy.    Just a cap full is all that’s needed.    Hasn’t caused any irritation for me.    It’s cheap too😊

hi, I usually don't worry about odor, but after certain foods it can be intense. An old ostomy nurse told me to use peroxide, about 3-5 cc will do the job. Use like a rinse or flush and leave some in your bag. It's cheap and works well.

Hi there,

I have a friend who swears by Listerine. I use a spray of Poo-Pourri, scented hand sanitizer, or a room spray. I get the last two from Bath and Body Works. They come in small sizes so I can travel with them easily.

I've been using Safe and Simple deodorant/lubricant - I find it great and it's about $13 on Amazon when I need to add onto my monthly allotment 

Nothing works as well as M-9. I have tried everything over 40 years. Four drops of M-9 is all that is needed each time.

Can I ask what M-9 is? Guessing deodorant drops. I just use Brava lubricating deodorant on a 2-piece system for a colostomy. Little spoiled here in Australia with all ostomy products ordered (there are limits per month) paid for by our Medicare system.

Avoid alcohol; it damages the skin. Use only 8-10 drops of M-9. If you have a spicy (onion/garlic) and fish diet, you need it. If not spicy at every meal, don't use it. Dumping other liquids into your pouch can ruin the seal. Baking soda can work.

It's an ostomy use product, so it should be covered. You should ask your husband's ostomy supply company (whatever vendor he gets his pouches through) to order it for him in his next order. On each Safe N Simple product, they put the product number somewhere, so just provide that number to his ostomy supply vendor. Be sure to give them the product number. I made the mistake of asking for XYZ Brand wipes and ended up with a pack of baby wipes instead of the individual single wipe packs, and now have a half-dried-out pack of wipes. So, keep in mind the people you are ordering from or who are supplying the supplies probably know little to nothing about the individual products, so always supply the exact product number/product code - if possible. Smiles (aka make it idiot-proof for them so they can't mess it up and order the wrong thing.)

Good luck!

Agreed.👍

I use white Tic Tac breath mints. You have to use at least five of them. They don't eliminate odor but make it more tolerable!

Good luck.

I use baby oil, lubrication and a pleasant smell.