Going on holiday – I'm packing my suitcase and taking my stoma with me

Holidays are supposed to be relaxing – and that's exactly what they can be! But sometimes it can be stressful instead of relaxing, especially if you are travelling with a stoma. To make your trip a well-deserved break, we will guide you step by step in this article: from preparation and travelling to your stay at your destination. Here you will find everything you need to know to enjoy a carefree, safe – and above all relaxed – holiday with a stoma.

Destination

Before you start planning your holiday, you should think about your favourite destination. Are you travelling with a stoma for the first time? It is then advisable to gain your first travelling experience in your home country. There are no communication barriers there if health problems should actually occur.

After your first few trips, you can venture into other countries step by step. However, you should always observe the hygiene standards of the respective country. It is particularly important for stoma care that certain minimum requirements are met locally.

Travel preparations

The most important tip first: Think about how many supplies you would need if you had to spend your holiday at home. Then take twice as many ostomy pouches, base plates, etc. with you on your trip. Why? Experience shows that you use more supplies on holiday than at home. There are several reasons for this, e.g. heavy sweating can soften the adhesive surfaces, which means that the appliance often has to be changed sooner. An unfamiliar diet or an infection can cause diarrhoea and lots of swimming and bathing can also lead to more frequent changes of care products.

I pack my suitcase and take it with me:

• Enough ostomy pouches, preferably also 2-3 ileostomy pouches (in case you get diarrhoea)
• Ostomy scissors
• Unscented wet wipes (if no water is available)
• Smaller ostomy pouches for use with swimwear (e.g. STOMOCUR® Select Alginat small)
• Skin protection care (e.g. STOMOCUR® Safety-Lotion)
• Transparent, resealable storage bags for liquids under 100 ml (hand luggage)
• Quick-change set in a smaller separate bag
• General medication (for stomach and intestinal complaints, pain, fever and allergies)
• Disinfectant for hands and surfaces
• A change of spare clothes for every eventuality
• Details of your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) and holiday insurance
• Doctor's letter and/or our stomapass

If you are travelling abroad, you should enquire in advance about the name of your supplies in your holiday destination. The name of the items in other countries may differ from the name used in your home country. You can also take this opportunity to enquire about local distributors and pharmacies. This information is useful if you run out of ostomy pouches while on holiday.

International insurance

International health insurance is also recommended. However, make sure that the scope of the insurance includes the aids you need to care for your stoma.

Travel certificate

During a trip abroad, the international travel certificate can also be helful. It is written in several languages and explains the necessity of the body-worn device in the event of any checks abroad. In addition, it contains a note stating that the appliance may only be removed in the presence of a doctor.

Travel

On the road by car, bus or motorbike

When travelling by car or motorbike, you should plan breaks at well-equipped rest stops. If you need to change during the journey, you can be sure that you will have a clean accessible toilet at your disposal.

A clean and accessible toilet makes it much easier to change facilities. The so-called Eurokey gives you access to disabled-friendly sanitary facilities. The locking system works in many public toilets on the motorway, in railway stations, pedestrian zones, public authorities and museums throughout Europe. You can request the key together with a list of disabled toilets at the CBF Darmstadt.

If the seatbelt presses on the stoma, you can wear a stoma protector for more comfortable travelling.
Our recommendation: Ostomy-Protector from SIIL Ostomy Line

Travelling by plane

Avoid travelling stress by leaving the house on time and arriving at the airport in good time before your departure. If there are any problems at check-in with the medication/materials you are carrying, you will not be under time pressure and can start your journey relaxed and ready for a fun holiday.

When travelling by air, all supplies should be packed in your hand luggage. If you pack your materials in your suitcase, you can never be sure that it will arrive at your holiday destination.

Changing supplies on a plane, bus or train can be more complicated than usual due to the cramped toilets. However, with a little patience and improvisation, it should be possible to change supplies in these space-saving toilets.

Tips & tricks:

• Remember to carry a travel document with you that explains your stoma supply at the security check. Please note that you are entitled to be examined in a separate room while your personal rights are respected. The officials must not ask you to show your ostomy pouch in public.
• It could be that the ostomy pouch inflates due to the pressure differences during the flight. In this case, it is best to go to the toilet and let the air out.
• If possible, spread your supplies over several suitcases and in your hand luggage so that you still have sufficient supplies if you lose your suitcase.
• Remember that you are not allowed to carry scissors in your hand luggage. Therefore, cut the baseplates to size before boarding the flight.
• Please note that cleansing lotions in hand baggage must not exceed the maximum permitted capacity.
• Once your flight has been called, go to the toilet closest to the gate and empty your pouch just before boarding. Then all you have to do is relax, enjoy the flight and look forward to the adventures ahead.

Travelling with Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn travellers can use the mobility service. You can find out about boarding, alighting and changing trains, seat reservations and other services on the relevant website.

Stay at the holiday destination

Nutrition

Like any other traveller, you should make sure you drink enough fluids, especially in hot and dry weather. In other countries, you should pay attention to the following when travelling:

• Do not wash food (fruit, vegetables) with tap water, but with drinking water. Boil tap water or, even better, use bottled water.
• Also bear in mind that your body may react to changes in diet with undesirable side effects. So be careful when it comes to overly exotic culinary experiments.

Supply

As water quality varies greatly from country to country, it is advisable to find out about the local water quality before travelling. For daily stoma care – especially in southern countries – only bottled water is recommended for cleaning the stoma and for irrigation. If necessary, you can also use pH-neutral cleansing wipes without moisturising additives. If you are staying in a hotel, it is best to collect the materials used when changing supplies in a rubbish bag you have brought with you (e.g. 20 litre household rubbish bag) and dispose of it in the rubbish bin in the hotel room bathroom. The rubbish bin in the hotel room bathroom is emptied daily.

Apply sun cream after you have attached your ostomy pouch, as the adhesion and tack of the baseplate could be reduced by contact with sun cream.

In warm climates, you may sweat more and therefore need to change your pouch more often. Always make sure that your skin is completely dry before putting on a new pouch to ensure good adhesion.

Stoma products must be kept cool when travelling. If you are travelling by car in regions with a warm and humid climate, do not store your required ostomy supplies in the warm boot or glove compartment. It is advisable to use a cool bag for storage. Also read the manufacturer's instructions on product storage. When you arrive at your destination, store your ostomy products in a cool place, e.g. in the bathroom (if the room is not too damp).

Beach visit

Going to the beach is also no problem for ostomates. Sunbathing does not affect the ostomy appliance. Nevertheless, it is always advisable – whether you have an ostomy or not – to apply sun cream before sunbathing. Swimming in the sea or pool is possible in any case. Modern ostomy appliances stay securely in place in the water and remain leak-proof. However, it is advisable to tape the filter before swimming, as it could become blocked if it comes into contact with moisture and therefore no longer function properly.

Ostomy pouches can also look chic on the beach. These days, pouches are available in a wide range of colours – including black. Our Primo® for example combines the positive properties of our proven skin protection materials with a new, ultra-soft and completely black cover. And it always looks elegant on the body.

However, there are also options, i.e. special swimwear for ostomates, that cover the stoma or ostomy pouch when bathing. A neoprene swimming and bathing belt is also available to ensure that the stoma is securely held and protected during water sports (surfing, diving, etc.).

Under certain circumstances, colostomy users may also be able to irrigate and use a stoma cap.

Irrigation

Irrigation is a type of bowel flushing that only people with a colostomy and under special conditions will be able. This irrigation can ensure a bowel movement-free period of approx. 24-48 hours. During exactly this time, it is not necessary to wear conventional colostomy pouches – smaller, more inconspicuous pouches or stoma caps can now be used. However, it is essential to clarify with your doctor or stoma care nurse beforehand whether and to what extent irrigation is an option for you. You will also need a prescription or intensive and detailed training from your stoma nurse.

Camping

Another tip for camping holidaymakers: Experienced campers often do not change in communal toilets, but in their own tent. Just make sure that you have the bin liners mentioned above and sufficient water in your tent. Put the used materials in the bin liner, tie it up and throw it in the bin.

Active holiday

Same applies here: Clarify the individual risks with your doctor in advance. As a rule, there is nothing to be said against practising outdoor sports such as hiking or cycling. For longer trips, you should take a replacement for the supplies with you.

Our general recommendation

We are always happy to recommend our Alginate supplies. These are particularly suitable for irritated skin, which may well occur on holiday due to the changed environmental and/or nutritional situation. However, our alginate skin protection can also be used very well on inconspicuous skin and is simply a treatment that ensures you are always on the safe side.

For more information about us or our products, please visit our website. There you will find, among other things, our detailed FAQ and other interesting blog articles all about the topic stoma. You can also contact us via our social media channels or send us an e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you!