This topic is about the use of stoma paste and whether it's necessary or just a messy hassle. The original poster was advised by their stoma nurse to use it but found it messy and not very useful. They are curious about others' experiences and alternatives to using stoma paste.

Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. **Purpose of Stoma Paste**
- It acts like a "caulk" to fill in dips or uneven skin, helping the wafer sit flat. It's not needed if your skin around the stoma is flat.
- Paste can break down faster than other products like rings or barriers when exposed to moisture.

2. **Reasons Some Avoid Using It**
- Many find it very messy and difficult to remove, leading them to stop using it after a few tries.
- Rings or convex wafers can often address minor skin contours without the mess.
- The general advice is, "If you don’t need it, don’t use it."

3. **Preferred Alternatives**
- Coloplast Brava Thin Ring: Good for filling small dips, with some users getting up to 3 days of wear.
- Salts Aloe Ring: Known for comfort and long wear time, but not available in the U.S.
- Standard barrier rings are a common substitute for paste.
- Skin-prep wipes or sprays can provide extra protection.

4. **Long-term Experiences**
- Some people with over 30 years of experience with an ileostomy report never using paste, even with stoma dips, and have no leakage issues.

5. **Successful Paste Techniques (for those who need it)**
- Let a thin bead of paste semi-harden before applying the wafer.
- Shape the paste into a ring, overlap the ends at the top, apply the wafer, and hold for 3-5 minutes for better wear time.
- Use disposable gloves, wet fingertips to spread a thin layer, and let it dry before attaching the wafer.

6. **When Paste Might Be Helpful**
- For recessed or "tucked-in" stomas that cause skin issues when rings disintegrate quickly.
- In cases of high-output ostomies or pancaking where extra sealing is needed.

7. **Additional Tips and Cautions**
- Salts products are not available in the U.S.; they are only sold in the U.K. and EU.
- To reduce leaks, some dry their skin and warm the wafer with a hair dryer instead of using paste.
- When trying dietary changes, like using prune juice as a diuretic, start with small amounts to avoid unexpected output.