This topic is about managing daily challenges with stoma leaks, retraction, and scarred skin. The person dealing with these issues changes their pouch every day to manage leaks, but retraction and scarring continue to be a problem. Although the current stoma is longer, which has helped with retraction, leaks still occur. In the UK, stoma supplies are provided free of charge.

Here are some helpful tips and insights:

1. Cleansing & Skin Prep
- Use only warm water and swabs for cleaning, avoiding soap or chemicals, as ileostomy output is acidic and can irritate the skin.
- Avoid perfumed soaps, as fragrances can weaken the adhesion of the wafer.
- After removing a pouch, use an adhesive-remover spray on a dry wipe to remove any residue before applying a new wafer.
- Lightly dust stoma powder around the stoma with a makeup brush and brush away the excess to improve the wafer seal.

2. Product Selection & Switching
- Compare different wafers; some users prefer Convatec Dermahesive over Hollister Stomahesive/Durahesive.
- Coloplast Sensura pouches and Coloplast Convex Light wafers have been effective in stopping leaks for some people.
- Adapt Rings and Convatec "half-moon" seals can help fill uneven areas and reinforce the seal.
- OakMed Microskin options are ultra-thin, and free samples are available.
- The Hollister 56800 pouch includes belt loops, and using a belt for the first hour after changing can improve adherence.

3. Application Technique
- Ensure the wafer opening is cut large enough; some users found it needed to be nearly doubled.
- Thoroughly dry the skin by patting it dry and using a hair-dryer on a low setting.
- Warm the pouch or wafer before application by placing it on a warm towel or radiator to improve adhesion.
- Some users find that changing the pouch less frequently allows the skin to settle and adhere better.

4. Surgical Option
- If leaks are persistent and unmanageable, stoma revision surgery has been successful for some in eliminating leakage.