Colostomy Odor Prevention

A colostomy is a procedure that is necessary for people who cannot pass solid waste through the bowels or colon. The procedure entails bringing the end of the large intestine through an incision made in the abdominal wall and attaching a special intestine drain to it. The end of the drain protrudes through the belly, and a colostomy bag or pouch is connected to that. Although most colostomy bags are sealed on both ends, odor can be a concern.

Odor Control

• The colostomy bag is most often the source of odor. Colostomy bags are necessary for the safe, sterile collection of fecal matter. Odor control begins with making informed food choices. The American Dietetic Association's Nutrition Care Manual (See Resources-PDF file) recommends selecting foods that are easy to digest and free of added milk, butter or fat. The Nutrition Care Manual features a list of foods from every major food group, so you can plan meals that are easy on your colostomy and unlikely to produce excess gas or odor.

  Add plenty of soluble fiber to your diet. It's important to eat soluble fiber in small amounts to prevent food blockages. Soluble fiber keeps stool output working efficiently. Too little fiber can create a large amount of liquid output that is accompanied by a foul smell.

  If your colostomy bags are reusable, take care to clean them well between uses, and consider adding bag deodorant. Bag deodorants come in filter, liquid and tablet form and are placed at the bottom of colostomy bag. Room deodorizers may also be useful, particularly in the room where you empty, clean or dispose of your colostomy bags. You should always empty the bag before it is full to avoid unwanted leakage around the seal.