Noticing that your ostomy bag smells between changes or emptying? Whether you’re living with a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy, concerns about ostomy odor are common.
Even the possibility that someone else might smell your pouch can make it hard to feel comfortable leaving home and going to work, traveling, or just visiting friends for an afternoon.
Understanding where the pouch odor is coming from is the first step toward managing it. Below, we go over possible causes and 5 tips to help prevent odor and keep ostomy pouch smells under control.
Looking for Help with Ostomy Pouch Odor?
If your ostomy pouch isn’t containing odor as well as it should, a different pouching system, filter, or ostomy deodorizer may help.
Our Ostomy Specialists can help you explore available product options based on your needs, prescription, and insurance coverage. Get started by requesting free samples.
5 Tips to Help Prevent Ostomy Bag Smells
Ostomy odor can have several causes, and some can be easily addressed by taking a closer look at the products you’re using.
1. Make sure your ostomy pouch isn’t leaking.
Start by checking how well your current urostomy bag, ileostomy bag, or colostomy bag stays sealed to your peristomal skin (the skin directly around your stoma). When the skin barrier isn’t properly adhered, your ostomy can leak odor, gas, or output under the barrier.
Before you apply your new skin barrier or pouching system each time, make sure your peristomal skin is clean and dry, with no leftover adhesive.
Don’t use oily lotions or harsh soaps around the stoma, as they may irritate your skin and interfere with the adhesive properties of your pouching system.
If body hair affects the seal, talk to a certified ostomy nurse for recommendations on a safe way to trim or remove it without irritating your skin.
If the skin surrounding your stoma is weepy or raw, you may need an ostomy product to help reduce and prevent irritation. For example, ESENTA™ Stomahesive® Protective Ostomy Powder is may help absorb moisture and create a protective barrier. This may help maintain your skin’s health while increasing the wear time of your stoma bag.
Ultimately, you want to make sure you address anything that could prevent your pouching system from forming a secure seal. Learn more with our detailed videos and guides on our Ostomy Care Instructions page.
2. Deodorize smells with products made for ostomy odor control.
When you’re dealing with a smelly ostomy pouch, it can be tempting to spray perfume or cologne or use fragrance oils inside the pouch. However, these products may only mask ostomy smells at best. Products not made for ostomy use could even damage your pouching system, skin, or stoma.
Instead, try a pouch deodorizer or an odor-control product specifically designed for ostomy use.
When it comes to eliminating odor in colostomy bags, you have plenty of product options. For example, you can choose ostomy products such as deodorizing pouch drops and gelling sachets to control pouch smells.
ESENTA™ Lubricating Deodorant is sprayed inside the ostomy pouch to help control odor while also making the pouch easier to empty.
You may also consider an ostomy pouch with an enhanced charcoal filter, such as the Natura+ Drainable or Closed Two-Piece Ostomy Pouches, which are designed to release gas while helping contain odor.
“The enhanced charcoal filter absorbs odor while allowing air to escape from the pouch,” says Michael, Ostomy Team Supervisor at 180 Medical. “This also prevents the pouch from ballooning. 180 Medical offers effective ostomy deodorizing products covered by most insurance plans. If you are interested in trying an ostomy deodorant, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us.”
3. Regularly empty your ostomy pouch.
Regularly emptying your ostomy pouch or changing your ileostomy, urostomy, or colostomy bag is an important part of controlling odor.
As an ostomy pouch fills up with output, the added weight can pull at the seal around your stoma. Emptying your pouch when it’s about 1/3 to 1/2 full may help reduce pressure on your ostomy skin barrier and lower the risk of odor and leakage.
After emptying your drainable pouch, clean the outlet and make sure the closure is completely secure. Output left around the opening can cause lingering smells, even when the rest of the pouching system is sealed.
How often you need to empty or change your ostomy pouch will depend on your ostomy type, output, pouching system, and individual routine. Talk with your doctor or Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse about the schedule that’s right for you.
4. Consider how your diet may affect ostomy odor.
Certain foods and drinks can produce more gas in your system or cause strong odors in your urine or stool output. Keep in mind that food affects everyone differently, and this may also vary on your surgery type (colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy) and individual needs.
Foods and drinks that may affect ostomy smells or increase gas may include:
- Alcohol
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables
- Cheese and other dairy products
- Coffee
- Eggs
- Fish
- Fried food
- Garlic and onions
- Sugary or carbonated drinks
Staying hydrated may also help with odors.
You don’t necessarily need to remove all these foods from your diet. Instead, you might just keep a simple food journal for a while to record what you eat and help identify whether certain foods consistently affect your ostomy output, gas, or odor.
Because individual needs vary, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider before making any big changes in your diet or trying a supplement.
Tip 5. Make sure your ostomy supplies are right for you.
Ostomy supplies aren’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone’s body is different, and every stoma has its own unique size, shape, and length. Plus, these factors can change over time, so a pouching system that worked well for you at first may no longer provide the same fit or odor protection you need today.
Depending on what’s causing your ostomy odor problem, you may benefit from trying a different skin barrier, ostomy pouch, filter, or ostomy care accessory. Available options at 180 Medical include filtered ileostomy and colostomy pouches, ostomy deodorizing sprays, lubricating pouch deodorant, barrier rings, stoma powder, and other products designed to help create a more secure pouch seal.
180 Medical’s Ostomy Specialists can listen to what you’re experiencing, answer product questions, and help you explore available ostomy supplies based on your needs, prescription, and insurance coverage. We can also coordinate free ostomy product samples so you can try eligible options before deciding what might work best for you.
Common Questions About Ostomy Bag Smells
Is it normal for my ostomy bag to smell?
It’s normal to notice smells when emptying or changing your ostomy pouch. However, during regular wear, a properly fitted and secured pouching system should help contain and filter out odors.
Pouch odor may point to a loose seal, a blocked or ineffective pouch filter, an unsecured or messy closure after emptying, or a pouch that needs to be emptied or changed.
Can other people smell my ostomy pouch?
Modern ostomy pouches are designed to contain odor, so the people around you generally shouldn’t be able to smell the contents of your pouch while wearing it.
It’s possible to become more aware of changes in your own body and worry that an odor is more noticeable than it actually is. But a new or persistent odor issue is worth checking.
When a smell seems more obvious than usual, do a quick check.
- Does the seal of your pouching system seem fully secure against your skin?
- Is the opening of your drainable pouch properly sealed and cleaned up after emptying?
- Is the filter blocked?
Why does my colostomy bag smell even though it isn’t leaking?
A leak isn’t the only possible source of smells from your colostomy bag.
Sometimes, the cause of odor may be:
- You need to empty or change your pouch.
- The drainable opening may need to be cleaned
- The filter may be blocked.
- Certain foods can make stool output or gas smell stronger.
Changing the pouching system can help rule out a hidden leak or an issue with the pouch filter. If unusual odors continue, talk to your ostomy nurse or healthcare provider.
What products help with ostomy odor?
Deodorizing drops or spray specifically made for ostomy pouches may be a good place to start.
Avoid placing any products not designed for ostomies in your pouch or on your peristomal skin. In other words, don’t use perfumes, essential oils, household cleaners, or other fragrances. Be sure to follow the directions for any specific ostomy product you use.
