CONVATEC HYDROCOLOID SEAL STRIP

A reliable seal between a stoma bag and the skin is one of the most practical foundations of comfortable stoma management. When the seal is consistent, leakage is less likely, the peristomal skin stays protected, and changing the bag becomes a routine rather than an anxiety. ConvaTec Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip is a flexible hydrocolloid strip that moulds around the stoma opening to fill creases, folds, and uneven skin contours, helping to create a flat, sealed surface for the bag to adhere to. Single size: 5cm x 20cm. Can be shaped and cut to suit each person's stoma. No prescription required.

ConvaTec Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip is a regulated medical device from ConvaTec. It is a strip of flexible hydrocolloid material measuring 5cm x 20cm that is used as a sealing accessory in stoma care. The strip is not a stoma bag, a flange, or a baseplate, it is an accessory used alongside these products to improve the interface between the stoma flange and the peristomal skin.

People managing a stoma sometimes find that the skin around the stoma is not perfectly flat. Surgical scarring, weight changes, skin folds, abdominal contours, and the stoma location itself can all create unevenness in the peristomal area. When the flange of a stoma bag is applied over uneven skin, small channels and gaps can form around the edge of the aperture. These gaps allow stoma output to seep underneath the flange, reaching the peristomal skin and causing the bag to loosen and the skin to become irritated or sore.

The hydrocolloid sealing strip addresses this by filling the uneven areas with a pliable material that conforms to the individual skin contour. Warmed between the hands, the strip becomes more flexible and can be shaped into a ring, a partial ring, or any profile that follows the person's specific anatomy around the stoma opening. When pressed into place and the flange applied over it, the hydrocolloid fills the contour gaps and creates a more consistent sealing surface.

The strip measures 5cm x 20cm and can be cut to any length or width needed. Multiple strips can be used together. No active pharmaceutical ingredients are present.

ConvaTec Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip is a stoma care accessory and is used in addition to, not instead of, a stoma bag and flange system. It does not replace the flange seal. If you are experiencing persistent leakage, peristomal skin irritation, or difficulties with your stoma bag, seek guidance from a stoma care nurse. A stoma nurse can assess your individual anatomy and appliance fit and advise on the most appropriate accessories for your situation.

Filling the Peristomal Contour

Stoma bags adhere best to flat, smooth peristomal skin. When the skin around the stoma has creases, folds, or an uneven profile, the flat surface of the flange cannot make consistent contact with the skin across the full aperture edge. The hydrocolloid sealing strip fills these contour variations. Because the strip is pliable and can be moulded, it can be pressed into creases and shaped to follow irregular contours that a rigid flange cannot follow on its own.

Hydrocolloid Material Properties

Hydrocolloid is a material that absorbs moisture and holds it within its structure. In a sealing strip context, this moisture-absorbing property helps the strip conform to the skin surface and contributes to maintaining the seal as normal skin moisture and minor amounts of output contact the material. Warming the strip between the hands softens it further and improves its pliability before application. At body temperature, the material remains soft and conforms to the anatomy.

Creating a Flat Application Surface

After the sealing strip has been placed and shaped around the stoma opening, the flange of the stoma bag is applied over the top. The strip creates a raised, even surface at the points where it has been placed, which the flange then adheres to. This reduces the risk of channels forming at the flange edge, which is where most leakage originates. The result is a more consistent seal across the entire aperture perimeter.

Preparation

• Clean and dry the peristomal skin before applying the strip.
• Remove the strip from its packaging.
• Warm the strip between your hands for 20 to 30 seconds to soften it and make it easier to shape.

Shaping and Applying

• Decide how much of the 5cm x 20cm strip you need. Cut to the required length with clean scissors.
• Shape the strip into a ring, partial ring, or other profile that will fill the uneven areas around your stoma opening.
• Press the shaped strip firmly around the stoma opening onto the peristomal skin, filling any creases or uneven areas.
• Smooth the strip down so it is flush with the surrounding skin rather than raised.
• Apply the stoma bag flange directly over the prepared area, pressing firmly to form the seal.

After Application

• Check the seal and the bag position at the points where the strip has been used.
• The strip will be removed with the flange at the next bag change.
• Assess the peristomal skin at each bag change. If skin irritation persists despite using the sealing strip, seek guidance from a stoma care nurse.

If this is the first time you are using ConvaTec Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip, a stoma care nurse can show you how to shape and position the strip for your individual stoma anatomy. The strip can be cut and shaped in many ways, and learning the approach that works for your specific situation will make it more effective and easier to use.

ConvaTec Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip 5cm x 20cm

The strip is 5cm wide and 20cm long. The 20cm length provides sufficient material to form a complete ring around most stoma openings when rolled or shaped, with length available for trimming. The 5cm width allows the strip to be cut to a narrower profile where a thinner bead is needed or used at its full width where more filling material is required.

Multiple strips can be used together for larger stomas, deeper creases, or when additional sealing material is needed. Your stoma care nurse can advise on how many strips to use and how to layer them for your individual anatomy.

Precautions

• For use in stoma care only, as directed by a stoma care nurse or healthcare professional familiar with stoma management.
• Do not use on broken, infected, or actively irritated peristomal skin without seeking clinical guidance first.
• Single use. Do not reuse the strip once removed.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Adverse Effects

• Skin sensitivity or irritation at the peristomal site in patients with sensitivity to hydrocolloid materials. Discontinue use and seek guidance from a stoma care nurse if irritation develops.
• Overly thick application may interfere with flange adherence if the strip raises the surface too much. Use the minimum amount needed to fill the contour.

People Who Benefit From Using a Sealing Strip

• People with a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy who experience leakage from beneath the flange, particularly around creases, folds, or uneven peristomal skin
• People managing a stoma alongside changes in body weight, scarring from surgery, or an abdominal profile that creates a challenging peristomal surface for flat flanges
• People using convex appliances where a sealing strip can be used to supplement or build up the convexity at specific points
• People whose stoma is in a body location subject to movement or flexion, where a consistent seal at the aperture edge is difficult to maintain

Living With a Stoma

Managing a stoma is something that most people adapt to over time, often with the support of a stoma care nurse. Leakage and skin soreness are among the most common concerns in the early period after stoma formation, and accessories like the hydrocolloid sealing strip can make a practical difference to daily life. There is no single right approach - stoma care is individual, and finding the combination of appliance and accessories that works for your anatomy and lifestyle is worth the effort.

ConvaTec Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. It is available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on stoma care accessories and help identify whether the sealing strip or another ConvaTec accessory is the appropriate choice for a specific situation.

If you are new to stoma care or are experiencing persistent difficulties with your appliance, a stoma care nurse is the most appropriate person to advise on your individual anatomy and appliance fit. Your GP surgery or hospital can refer you to a stoma care nurse service, and many areas also have community stoma nurse services accessible directly.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Keep in the original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if packaging is damaged or opened.
• Check the expiry date before use.
• Use as soon as the packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Dispose of used strips as clinical or domestic waste in accordance with local guidelines.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. ConvaTec Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip is a genuine ConvaTec product sourced through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on accessories to complement your stoma management routine and can suggest when a stoma care nurse referral would be helpful.

References

1. ConvaTec. Hydrocolloid Sealing Strip — Instructions for Use. ConvaTec. https://www.convatec.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Stoma care: assessment and management. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. Living with a stoma. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stoma. Accessed May 2026.
4. Colostomy UK. Peristomal skin care and leakage management. https://www.colostomyuk.org. Accessed May 2026.