Barrier Rings Melting Quickly After Application

Hi all. I am having a problem with the barrier rings I put around my stoma melting and disintegrating soon after I apply them. I have a colostomy. I use Hollister rings and have tried several others. Any others experience this? I am wondering if I should just stop using the rings.

I have that happen at about the day 3-4 range, and I change everything out. I was trying to get to 5 days, but that is no bueno anymore. I don't know if you could do without the rings. I'm curious to know that as well. I wouldn't think you could, but I know just enough about having an ostomy after 5 months to be dangerous.

You could go without a ring, but it increases your likelihood of having a leak. My ring puffs up around my stoma, but it doesn't cause it to leak or anything. It just looks funny. Is your ring causing leaks?

Nope, never had one disintegrate or melt. I've had a couple of small pieces come off after they swell from moisture, but 99.9% stays intact. Mine come off basically in the same form I put them on.

Like Alex, I sometimes get a little swelling, and small pieces may break off from that portion. But I never have them melt or disintegrate.

I would undoubtedly leak without the barrier ring, but you can always try it if you think you can get away with it. Just keep a close eye out for leaks.

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

I use Coloplast Brava rings, 2-inch diameter. I have a colostomy.

I've never had a ring melt away. Like others have mentioned, pieces around the stoma break off. But the main seal part of the ring is always intact when I change the wafer. I've been in tropical heat, hiking for hours, and the ring and wafer seal were unaffected.

Hugo, rings will begin to swell pretty fast. I think that's good since they hug the stoma. I place my hand over my bag/stoma for at least ten minutes right after I put a new bag on, and my ring has already started to swell by the time I'm done. Is your ring literally disappearing fast, or is it swelling and some pieces breaking off? I'd say if you're not getting any output underneath yours, no burning, and no issues with the skin around your stoma, you're doing okay.

You can go without a barrier ring. I did for a long while until I couldn't. But my stoma does really weird things and goes backwards. So it depends on your stoma, and the only way you will know is if you try not using one. Then you will know if you can or not, but that's assuming you're not cutting your wafer bigger. It should be cut to the size and shape of the stoma.

Thanks, everyone. I do get some waste under the barrier, but it doesn't leak past it. I guess what's happening is normal, considering that my stoma is retracted. I am seeing a surgeon next month to see about a redo of my stoma. There is so much to learn about my colostomy that it can be mind-boggling and often frustrating! I am so grateful for the help I get here.

Hey Hugo, when you are retracted, use a barrier ring. It actually can be worse. If yours isn't long enough to go over the wafer, and you put a barrier ring, you are adding either 2.5 or 4 mm of extra thickness and height, which is taking away any length at all that you have. It's like building a wall, so you will puddle in the wafer and ring instead of going straight in the bag.

Hi Hugo, are you cutting the hole in the wafer too big, exposing the ring to output?

G-Dau Hugo,

The ring or seal is designed to swell to take up the gap between your wafer and the stoma. But some people try to get too long wear out of their bag, and it starts to break down. I change my bag and seal every 3 to 4 days and have no problems. Trying to get longer time with your bag is not good economy.

Regards, IGGIE

I get a tiny amount under my ring too, but not past it, and it's always in the same spot. 🤷‍♂️ As long as I don't have issues, I'll stick with what I'm doing. I change my setup every 3-4 days and don't try to push it longer usually. Sometimes I take my stuff off and think I could have gone twice as long before changing. 🤔🤷‍♂️

I recently saw that happening to me with the Hollister brand, and it's frustrating.

Highlyfavored, Hollister ring or bag? I use their bags and am waiting for some samples of their barrier rings.