Showering & bathing with a stoma – Turning your skincare routine into a feel-good experience

Living with a stoma brings a lot of changes, but that doesn't mean you have to give up a pleasant skincare routine and refreshing showers! Quite the opposite – with a few simple tips you can adapt your skincare routine to keep you feeling safe, comfortable and fresh while looking after your stoma supply.

With or without a pouch? That is the question here.

This is an important question that you will have to deal with sooner or later. Basically, the answer is a matter of personal preference. With or without – both work perfectly. However, your decision may be influenced by the type of stoma you have.

Colostomies ‘work’ in a largely predictable way. This makes it a little easier to choose the perfect time to shower or bathe – without having to carry the pouch. It is best to use the times early in the morning before eating or later in the evening. Your stoma is at its quietest and less active at these times.

Ileostomies and Urostomies tend to be more active. So please be prepared for the fact that this may also be the case when showering or bathing. If you feel restricted by this, it may help to simply leave the ostomy appliance on. That way you are always on the safe side.

If you have recently had surgery, it is advisable to talk to your surgeon or stoma care nurse about showering and bathing on a daily basis. It is generally recommended that you do not take long baths in the first few weeks so that the stitches and the wound do not become moist. If you are still unsure, you can simply leave your pouch in place to keep the area dry. Your ostomy appliance is water-repellent and can be taken into the shower or bath without any problems.

Tips and tricks for a pleasant bath and shower

1. Preparation is key
   Decide before your water experience whether you want to remove your ostomy pouch or leave it in place. In both cases, it makes sense to empty the ostomy pouch beforehand. It is also important to ensure that the pouch's filter does not get wet while showering or bathing, as the water can block the filter and impair its function. If this happens, it can cause a number of problems during the day, e.g. excessive gas build-up in the pouch or bloating, which is unpleasant and can lead to leaks. Therefore, place a filter cover on the filter of your pouch. These filter covers are a type of sticker or adhesive strip that protects the filter from moisture. If you want to change your supply after showering or bathing, it is beneficial to have all the materials for attaching a new pouch ready in advance.
2. Keep an eye on the water temperature and jet
   Water that is too hot or bathing for too long can irritate the skin, especially if you are sensitive. Make sure that the water temperature is comfortable and not too hot to avoid skin irritation. Warm to lukewarm temperatures are ideal to protect the skin and ostomy appliance.
   Also very important: Please avoid the direct stream from the shower head on your stoma, as this can be very hard and can lead to bleeding if it comes into contact with your stoma. Due to the high blood flow to the stoma, this can happen, but it is not dramatic and should subside quickly.
3. Gentle cleaning
   Avoid aggressive shower gels or soaps that could attack your skin's natural protective barrier. Use mild, pH-neutral products that do not dry out or irritate your skin. It is particularly important to take good care of and protect your skin after a shower with a stoma. Also avoid using oil-based soaps and creams on the skin around the stoma, as these can become greasy and thus impair the adhesion of the next skin protection plate.
   Please do not rub your stoma or the surrounding skin during your hygiene, but allow the soap to flow gently over the area. You are also welcome to use soft fleece compresses for cleaning. Although your stoma has no nerves, it is still sensitive to physical irritation.
4. Skin care after showering or bathing
   After showering or bathing, it is important to moisturise the skin properly to protect it from drying out. Gently dry the stoma and skin with a soft towel without rubbing and then apply a moisturising lotion. Make sure that the skincare products do not contain fragrances, alcohol or oils, as these can irritate the skin and/or leave oil residues.
   

   Our recommendation: STOMOCUR® Safety lotion

5. Take care of your ostomy appliance
   After showering or bathing, you should ensure that the ostomy appliance is still in place and that no moisture has got under the baseplate. Although the ostomy pouch is water-repellent, it is not completely waterproof. It is therefore advisable to dry it thoroughly after bathing or showering before getting dressed. The skin protection plate can absorb a certain amount of moisture and adheres very well to the skin due to the combination of moisture and warmth. As a result, it can be slightly stickier and adhere more strongly after bathing or showering. However, if the moisture absorption is too high, for example due to prolonged bathing or showering, the skin protection plate can exceed its absorption capacity and gradually loosen. This can shorten the wearing time of your ostomy appliance. This is no cause for concern, though, and varies from skin to skin. If you feel unsure, simply test out how your appliance reacts. The well-known wisdom applies here: learning by doing!
   

   If you have removed your appliance, now is the best time to fit a new pouch. Regularly checking the skin around the stoma will help you to recognise skin irritation or other problems at an early stage.

6. Small follow-up
   If you have showered or bathed without an ostomy appliance, it is best to rinse the shower or bath again shortly afterwards. This way, your successor can also relax and enjoy their hygiene routine.
7. Feel good in your own skin
   The most important aspect of showering and bathing with a stoma is that you feel comfortable – whether with or without a stoma pouch, in the shower or in the bathtub. Take care of yourself in the way that feels best for you.

Oasis of well-being: thermal baths – swimming and saunas

Swimming with a stoma

Chlorinated water does not affect your ostomy appliance. What applies to showering and bathing also applies here. So you can enjoy your wellness trip completely relaxed.
Please ensure that you speak to your doctor about this shortly after your operation and especially before your visit the spa. It is particularly important that the abdominal wall is stable enough and that all stitches have healed completely. Only then is swimming recommended. In terms of time, this is around 8 to 10 weeks after the stoma has been created.

Swimwear

Stoma pouches can also look chic in the swimming pool. 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 certainly looks elegant on the body. There are also special swimwears for ostomates, that cover the stome supply.

Sauna with stoma

You do not have to miss out on the soothing warmth of a sauna because of your stoma. The ostomy pouch and skin protection can withstand the temperatures in the sauna.

Tips & Tricks:

• You should change your ostomy pouch after the sauna as it absorbs water and sweat. It is best to wait around half an hour after your sauna session before changing your appliance. The heat increases the adhesive force of the baseplate and it may be more difficult to remove.
• As an ileostomy and urostomy user, you need to pay particular attention to your fluid balance. You lose a lot of water through sweating. Therefore, make sure you balance this out and drink enough.

Summary

With the proper products and a little attention, you can enjoy a pleasant and safe skincare routine even with a stoma. Your skin will thank you and you can start your day feeling refreshed and cared for. And please remember: showering and bathing with a stoma is not only possible, it can also be a real feel-good experience!
P.S. If you are looking for more tips or products for skin care with a stoma, don't hesitate to consult an expert such as your stoma carer. They will be able to give you valuable advice tailored to your individual needs.

You might also be interested in this …

• Flatulence with a stoma & ballooning: Causes, tips and everyday tricks for greater well-being
• Changing your stoma pouch – Everything you need to know about it
• Pain from your stoma – 8 potential reasons

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