what to do when ostomy bag keeps leaking

2025-09-25
Author: Zodelo Ostomy

Many stoma patients may encounter the problem of leakage of the stoma bag. Not only does it have a foul smell and contaminate clothes, but it may also cause more skin problems and complications. Therefore, it is crucial to know what to do when ostomy bag keeps leaking, not only for the patients themselves but also for their family members.

Zodelo is well aware of the crucial role of colostomy bags for patients. We have always been committed to providing our customers with the most comfortable and high-quality experience, allowing them to return to the most ordinary and reassuring life. We are also committed to providing customers with knowledge of stoma usage. In this article, we will introduce to you in detail what to do when ostomy bag keeps leaking.

Understanding ostomy bag keeps leaking

1.What is ostomy bag leakage

Leakage of the stoma bag refers to the situation where the excrement of a stoma patient flows into the stoma bag through the stoma, resulting in leakage or seepage. The sealing barrier at the bottom of the colostomy bag is damaged, and thus the excrement cannot be properly collected into the stoma bag.

When a leak occurs, it is often accompanied by an unpleasant smell, which can contaminate clothes and the surrounding environment, and may also cause skin infections and inflammation.

2 Common leakage signals

Early morning potential leakage: The excrement has not yet overflowed, the color of the inner circle of the chassis has darkened, and the skin may show a slight redness
Obvious leakage:Excrement overflows, the edges of the underbody lift, a distinct odor, excrement contaminates clothes, and the skin shows obvious redness, swelling or irritation
Severe leakage: Excrement overflows, the edges of the chassis lift or even shift, there is a strong odor, the exterior is severely contaminated, and the skin may become red, swollen, ulcerated and exude fluid.

3.Under what circumstances ostomy bag keeps leaking

Insufficient adhesion:It may be due to excessive sweating, fluid seepage from the skin or stoma, resulting in insufficient adhesion of the chassis and poor sealing performance. Leakage may also be caused by the aging of the chassis material or the low adhesion of the chassis itself.
Poor adhesion: It may be due to not pressing firmly during pasting, resulting in gaps and thus leakage. It might be due to the fact that the opening of the chassis was cut too large or too small, resulting in leakage.It might be due to the overly irregular shape of the stoma that the chassis cannot fully adhere, causing ostomy bag keeps leaking.
Excessive pressure inside the stoma bag:When the amount of excrement or gas inside the stoma bag is too large, it may lead to leakage problems.
External force interference: Excessive movement, frequent bending over or the squeezing and friction of clothing may cause the chassis to warp and lead to ostomy bag keeps leaking.

Top 10 Tips to Reduce the Risk of Ostomy Bag Leakage

1. Choose the most suitable ostomy bagfor yourself

One can choose different types of ostomy bags according to their own specific circumstances and living habits.

One-piece ostomy bag: The base and the ostomy bag body cannot be separated, suitable for beginners and the elderly with limited hand flexibility.
Two-piece ostomy bag: The base and the ostomy bag body are separated. The base can be adhered to the skin for multiple uses. It is suitable for beginners and the elderly with limited hand flexibility.
Drainable stoma bag: It has an outlet at the bottom, allowing the excrement inside the bag to be emptied for multiple uses. It is suitable for patients in the postoperative recovery period or those with loose stools.
Closed-end stoma bag: For single use only, suitable for patients with solid feces or those who are often outside and find it inconvenient to change.

2. Keep the skin around the stoma dry

After cleaning, wait for the stoma area to dry before pasting the base plate.
When replacing, stoma powder can be used in combination to keep the stoma area dry.

3. Cut the chassis opening correctly

Before pasting, the diameter of the stoma needs to be measured with a measuring card. Then, cut the opening size of the base plate to be 1-2mm larger than the measured size to avoid leakage caused by an opening that is too small or too large.

Use professional bag-making scissors to avoid the rough or serrated edges of ordinary scissors that may cause ostomy bag keeps leaking.

4. Use ostomy products accessories

If the skin around the stoma is uneven or has depressions and protrusions,ostomy products accessories such as sealing rings and sealing pastes can be used in combination to enhance the adhesion and sealing between the skin and the base, and prevent ostomy bag keeps leaking.

5. Replace or empty the stoma bag in a timely manner

It is necessary to replace or empty the colostomy pouch reasonably and regularly according to its type and one’s own habits.

One-piece colostomy pouchs are generally recommended to be replaced every 1 to 3 days.
Two-piece colostomy pouch base can last for 3 to 5 days, and the ostomy bag body can be replaced separately according to its own situation.
Drainable ostomy bag: The replacement frequency depends on the patient’s own condition. Generally, more than half of the excrement inside the ostomy bag needs to be emptied.
Closed-end ostomy bag: For single use only. When the ostomy bag is full of excrement, it needs to be replaced immediately with a new one.

6. Arrange your diet reasonably

Avoid eating gas-producing foods and beverages, such as legumes, carbonated drinks, garlic, etc.
Avoid eating foods that are hard to digest, such as rice cakes and tangyuan
Avoid eating foods that are prone to cause diarrhea, such as overly cold or spicy foods, and excessive caffeine.

7. Pay attention to the gas inside the ostomy bag

You can choose a colostomy pouch with a carbon filter, which can absorb odors and reduce the possibility of bag swelling.

When the gas in the ostomy bag reaches half, it should be drained in time.

8. Pay attention to exercise and body position

When moving, the amplitude should not be too large to prevent the chassis from lifting and leaking.

After exercising or sweating, the fit and sealing performance should be checked in time to prevent leakage due to low adhesion.

9. Carry a spare bagwith you at all times

When socializing outside, it is advisable to prepare spare ostomy bags and cleaning supplies to prevent the problem of ostomy bag keeps leaking that cannot be replaced.

10. Seek professional guidance regularly

Regular follow-up visits should be made to seek professional advice and guidance from doctors

If there is frequent leakage, medical attention should be sought promptly and the care of the stoma adjusted.

Why is my ostomy bag keeps leaking ?

We not only need to know what to do when ostomy bag keeps leaking, but also need to know why ostomy bag keeps leaking. The following are five main reasons.

1. Causes of stoma

The shape of the stoma is irregular, the stoma retracts or is located in a depression, and the parastostoma hernia is elevated, causing the skin around the stoma to fail to fully adhere to the underbody, creating a gap and leading to leakage.

2. Skin reasons

After cleaning, if the ostomy bag is directly pasted without waiting for it to dry, the adhesion will be weak and the sealing performance will be poor, which is prone to ostomy bag keeps leaking.
Redness, swelling, allergy, erosion and exudation of the skin around the stoma can also cause ostomy bag keeps leaking.
Excessive heat in the environment or sweating during exercise can lead to weak adhesion of the chassis, making it prone to leakage.
Excessive cleansing of the skin can cause dryness and peeling, resulting in a decrease in the skin’s adhesion to the underbody.

3. Skin barrier issues

The opening of the skin barrier is either too large or too small to fully fit the stoma.
The concave area of the stoma was not treated with a convex base plate or a sealing ring to increase the smoothness of the skin, resulting in a gap when pasting.
The adhesive surface is attached with hair or other things, resulting in low adhesion.

4. Excrement causes

The frequency of excrement is too high, resulting in untimely replacement.
Excessive excrement gas causes the ostomy bag to swell.
Excrement is too thin and prone to ostomy bag keeps leaking.

5. Behavioral habits and environmental factors

The replacement cycle is too long, resulting in excessive excrement or gas inside the ostomy bag.
Excessive heat in the environment and excessive sweating can lead to a decrease in the adhesion of the chassis, making it prone toostomy bag keeps leaking.
Excessive range of motion during exercise or fitness activities can cause the chassis to warp or develop gaps.
The ostomy bag was not emptied or replaced in time before going to bed at night, resulting in excessive excrement or gas inside the ostomy bag.
The clothes being too hard cause frequent friction and compression of the ostomy bags, leading to the lifting of the bottom edges or even displacement.

How can you tell if your colostomy bag keeps leaking?

Clothing or bed sheet contamination: Obvious excrement stains appear on the clothes or bed sheets near the stoma.
Strong odor: A distinct smell of feces or urine.
The skin condition is incorrect: The skin shows redness, swelling, stinging, and even exudation and ulceration.
The edges of the chassis are lifted or loose: When touching the chassis, it can be clearly felt that the lifted edges of the chassis do not fully fit
Bag swelling: Excessive excrement or gas inside the stoma bag can easily lead to leakage.

Tips to Avoid Future Ostomy Bag Leaks

Develop a fixed replacement cycle. According to your own situation and habits, replace or empty the colostomy pouchs regularly
When replacing the ostomy bag correctly, make sure the base is in perfect contact with the skin without any gaps to prevent ostomy bag keeps leaking.
Always check the condition of the stoma. After exercising or going out, promptly check if it fits well to prevent leakage caused by sweating or excessive movement.
Carry a spare bagwith you at all times in case you can’t change it in time when you need to go out.

How Do I Get the Right Ostomy Supplies For Me?

1. According to the specific condition

Colostomy:It is basically solid feces. A closed stomy bag can be chosen. It is used only once and can be directly replaced, which is more convenient and simple.
Ileostomy:The stool is loose and contains digestive enzymes, with strong irritation. It is recommended to use a two-piece stoma bag. The base is attached to the skin and can be used multiple times to avoid frequent changes that may irritate the stoma.
Urostoma: Continuous drainage of urine is required. It is recommended to use an empty stoma bag with an opening at the bottom to empty urine, avoiding frequent changes that may irritate the skin.

2. According to the condition of the stoma and skin

Protruding stoma: A flat base is sufficient. It can also be used in combination with a leak-proof ring or stoma paste.
If the stoma is concave or flush with the skin:A convex base can be used in conjunction with a stoma belt to prevent leakage due to improper fit.
If the skin has wrinkles or scars:When changing the ostomy bag, it can be used in combination with a sealing ring or ostomy cream to enhance the skin’s adhesion to the base and improve the sealing performance.

3. According to one's living conditions

Work: It’s not very convenient to change and clean the working environment. It is recommended to use a closed ostomybag, which is quick and easy to change.
Exercise:It is recommended to use a small-capacity one-piece ostomy bag when exercising, as it is lighter and easier to change.
Travel:It is recommended to use a large-capacity one-piece disposable ostomy bag for single use, making it more convenient and quick to change when outside.

To meet the needs of all patients, Zodelo has upgraded and developed all series of ostomy bags，such as: Airlora Series, Calmlora Series, Mellora Series, Joylora Series and Ostomy Product Accessories.

What should you do if you notice blood in or around your stoma?

1. Common causes of bleeding:

The opening of the chassis is too small, and frequent friction at the stoma causes bleeding.
Improper cleaning or excessive force during cleaning can lead to abrasions and bleeding.
The stoma is fragile and tender, and even a gentle touch may cause bleeding.
If there is a large amount of bleeding or continuous bleeding at the stoma site, accompanied by swelling, pain and exudation, one should go to the hospital for treatment in time.

2. Solution:

First, gently wipe the skin around the stoma, then use a clean soft towel to gently press the bleeding point to wipe off the bloodstains. Remeasure the diameter of the stoma, re-cut the appropriate size of the base opening, keep the stoma area dry, and replace it with a clean stoma bag.

When to contact your doctor

1. Situations requiring immediate emergency treatment:

Severe abdominal pain without stool excretion may indicate intestinal obstruction

If the color of the stoma turns purple or black, it may indicate ischemia or stoma necrosis.

There was a large amount of bleeding at the stoma.

The fever rises above 38°C, with redness and swelling around the stoma and pus appearing.

2. Situations where a doctor’s appointment needs to be made as soon as possible：

The chassis frequently leaks or falls off.

Stoma retraction.

There is erosion and exudation of the skin at the stoma, accompanied by itching or pain.

The urine is cloudy or contains a large amount of crystals.

Continuous excessive gas emissions cause the ostomy bag to swell.

FAQ about what to do when ostomy bag keeps leaking

How can I prevent my stoma bag from leaking at night?

Before going to bed, the colostomy bags should be replaced or emptied in time to avoid leakage due to insufficient capacity of the ostomy bag body caused by the long night.

Adjust your sleeping position and try to avoid pressing the stoma bag for a long time to prevent it from being drained or leaking.

Pay attention to your diet and try to avoid gas-producing foods and beverages such as bean products, carbonated drinks, garlic, etc. At the same time, also avoid foods that are prone to cause diarrhea.

What should I do if stool leaks around my stoma?

Feces around the stoma indicate that there is a leak in the stoma bag. There is a gap between the stoma bag base and the skin. It should be cleaned up immediately to avoid contaminating and irritating the skin.

Operation steps: First, remove the old ostomy bag body and gently clean the feces around the stoma with warm water and a soft cloth. After the area around the stoma is clean and dry, or by using stoma powder to make the skin drier and more comfortable; Sealing rings or stoma paste can be used to enhance the sealing performance and reduce the possibility of leakage. Finally, paste the ostomy bag and use it normally. If feces continue to keeps leaking, it may lead to skin redness, swelling, ulceration and eczema. Medical attention should be sought promptly.

Is stoma leakage normal?

Occasional or intermittent slight leakage is normal and common, but frequent and persistent leakage is an abnormal phenomenon.

In the early postoperative period, the patient is not very proficient in changing the stoma bag, and there may be mistakes that lead to leakage. At the same time, I don’t know what type of stoma is the most suitable for me, and it might leak due to an unsuitable stoma.

In the early stage of stable stoma morphology, the size of the stoma changes rapidly, and there may be a situation where it does not match the size of the chassis, leading to leakage. Changes in the external environment, such as sweating or excessive movement leading to poor adhesion and leakage, are all normal situations. However, if there is continuous leakage, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly to avoid skin redness, swelling and infection caused by prolonged contamination of the skin by excrement.

How can I maintain healthy stoma skin?

When cleaning, just use warm water to clean the skin. Avoid using alcohol, body wash or scented wipes that may irritate the skin.
When wiping, be careful not to apply force. Just wipe gently. The skin at the stoma is rather fragile, and excessive force may cause the stoma to be abrasions.
Properly tailor the size of the ostomy bag base to avoid it being too large or too small, which may cause leakage or friction. Use sealing rings or leak-proof paste in combination to enhance sealing performance and reduce the possibility of leakage.
Always check and pay attention to prevent leakage in the ostomy bag in advance.

Conclusion — What To Do When Ostomy Bag Keeps Leaking

Zodelo is well aware of the pain and distress that the ostomy bag keeps leaking to stoma patients, so it is crucial to understand What To Do When Ostomy Bag Keeps Leaking. Zodelo will always be by the side of all our users, not only providing the highest quality products to make your life more reassuring and comfortable, but also bringing you the latest information and popular science about colostomy pockets.
However, if you have any problems or conditions that you cannot solve, you should seek medical attention promptly and look for professional advice and treatment from a doctor. Zodelo will always be by your side. If you need any assistance, please contact us.

More Resourses:

Colostomy Bags:Types, Care, and Maintenance — Webmd
Living With an Ostomy: FAQs — Mayoclinic
Leakage, Bleeding, Irritation and Other Common Ostomy Pouching System Issues— Uchicagomedicine.org
Colorectal Cancer: Tips for Living with a Colostomy— Rochester