Tips for Stoma Care: Observe, Touch, and Clean

by YDCare Homecare Team | October 9,2026

Before changing a stoma pouch or cleaning the stoma, it is important to assess the condition of the stoma and the surrounding skin first. Learning how to assess the stoma is one of the keys to preventing stoma-related complications and maintaining quality of life. A simple way to remember the main steps is: observe, touch, and clean.

1. Stoma Care: Observe

After removing the old stoma pouch, do not rush to wipe the area immediately. First, take a moment to observe carefully at the stoma and the surrounding skin.

- Color

A healthy stoma should look like the inside of the mouth. It is usually bright red or pink, which means good blood circulation.

nWarning sign: If the stoma looks dark purple, black, or pale, this may suggest poor blood supply or circulation problems and should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

- Shape and height

Observe whether the stoma is still round or oval in shape, and whether it remains slightly raised above the skin, usually by around 1 to 2 cm.

nWarning sign: If the stoma looks more swollen than usual, sinks below skin level, or becomes much longer and protrudes more than before, it may be necessary to assess more closely and review the pouch opening size and bag-fitting technique.

- Condition of the surrounding skin

The skin around the stoma should look healthy, smooth, and intact, similar to the rest of the abdominal skin.

nWarning sign: Redness, rash, broken skin, or ulceration may be related to leakage of output on the skin or sensitivity to the pouching products. In these situations, stoma products may need to be reviewed, and extra care should be taken with accurate cutting and leakage prevention to protect the skin.

- Stoma output

A small amount of mucus from the stoma is normal, and slight bleeding when gently wiping can also happen because the stoma surface is a kind of mucosa. Even so, it is still important to observe the color, consistency, and amount of output.

nWarning sign: For an intestinal stoma, if there is no output for several hours and this is accompanied by abdominal pain, bowel blockage should be considered.

2. Stoma Care: Touch

After observing the stoma, gently touch the stoma and surrounding skin.

- Texture

A healthy stoma should feel soft, moist, and not painful when touched, as the stoma itself does not have pain sensation.

- Condition of the surrounding skin

We can assess whether the skin around the stoma is flat and intact by touching.

n Warning sign: If the skin feels wet, sticky, sore, or is peeling, this may suggest skin damage. If there are hard areas or raised lumps, extra care is needed when applying the new pouch, as uneven skin can make leakage more likely. Appropriate stoma accessories may be considered to improve the seal.

- Condition of the adhesive baseplate

When removing the used baseplate, check the adhesive side as well. If it feels damaged, worn down, or shows signs that output has leaked underneath, this may mean the opening size or leak-prevention method needs to be adjusted.

3. Stoma Care: Clean

After observing and touching the stoma, the next step is cleaning. Good cleaning helps the new pouch stick properly.

- Pure water wipe

Use a soft wipe or cloth moistened with pure water to gently clean around the stoma.

- Avoid oily or fragranced products

Do not use products that contain fragrance, alcohol, oils, or lotion, such as disinfectant wipes or perfumed wet wipes. These can irritate the stoma tissue and leave residue on the skin, making it harder for the new baseplate to stick properly and increasing the risk of leakage.

- Keep skin dry

After cleaning, gently pat the skin dry with a dry tissue. Do not rub the skin back and forth. Make sure the area is completely dry before applying a new baseplate.

Good Assessment Is the Most Important Part of Stoma Care

Accurate assessment is one of the most important parts for good stoma care. Caregivers may find it helpful to take regular photos with a mobile phone to monitor changes in the stoma and surrounding skin over time. If the stoma changes noticeably in size or color, or if redness and skin irritation around the stoma become worse, it is important to seek help early.

For families who are unsure how to manage these changes, professional support can help identify the cause and guide the next steps more clearly. YDCare can provide practical advice on stoma care and help families arrange further support when needed.