Unless your doctor or nurse advised you otherwise, you can bathe or shower every day in the usual way with or without a stoma system. Water will not harm your stoma or your ostomy system, and the base plate adhesive is waterproof.
Colostomy irrigation
It involves washing out your colon with water either every day or every other day. To do this, you gently insert a small device into your stoma and attach it to a bag full of water. You slowly move water into your colon so it washes it out.
To clean it, simply use tap water and soft medical wipes or soft cotton wool. The stoma and the skin around it doesn't need soap for cleansing, and in fact, soap could irritate it - as could baby wipes.
Normal exposure to air or contact with soap and water won't harm the stoma. Water will not flow into the stoma. Soap will not irritate it, but soap may interfere with the skin barrier sticking to the skin. It's best to only use water while cleaning the skin around your stoma.
A person with an ileostomy will need to empty the pouch about five or six times in a 24-hour period. If you have a colostomy, you will need to empty the pouch two or three times in a 24-hour period.
Many people enjoy leaving their skin uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes after taking their pouching system off. This is called a skin break. Taking a skin break can help with irritation or keep it from happening. You can decide if you want to take a skin break.
It is not necessary to use soap to clean around your stoma. But if you prefer to use soap, use a very mild soap. Avoid using soaps and cleansers with oils, per- fumes, or deodorants since these can sometimes cause skin problems or keep your skin barrier from sticking.
You can bathe and shower as normal with your stoma and, unless you have been specifically advised otherwise, you can do so with the stoma bag on or off. It won't fall off in the water if you choose to keep it on and if you bathe with the stoma bag off, soap rinsing over the stoma isn't a problem.
Clean the pouch
Wipe the inside and outside of the tail with toilet paper. This helps prevent any odor. Check both sides of the pouch for tears or holes. If you find any, put on a new pouch.
Use only plain, lukewarm water and dry wipes for cleaning your stoma (if you must use wet wipes, then make sure they are free from lanolin and fragrance as the skin around your stoma can be very sensitive).
Once home, avoid strenuous activities that could place a strain on your abdomen, such as lifting heavy objects. Your stoma nurse will give you advice about how soon you can go back to normal activities. At first you will pass wind through your stoma and then, usually within 2 or 3 days, you poo through it.
To clean the skin around the stoma, just use water on soft paper towels. Do not use baby wipes, oils, powders, ointments, or lotions on the skin around the stoma unless directed to do so.
If the stoma bag fits well there should be no smell except when changing it. If you do notice a smell from your bag, you should check it as there may be a leak under the flange and the bag will need changing.
The BBC Radio 1 presenter had a stoma bag, which she refers to as Audrey, fitted last October after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. The operation diverts one end of the colon, which is part of the bowel, through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma.
It is normal for some food to pass through to the stoma unaltered. However, foods high in fibre may cause a blockage because they are difficult to digest when eaten in large quantities or not chewed well. Foods that may cause constipation or blockage: Vegetables with skins or stalks such as celery, peas or sweetcorn.
A colostomy is an operation to create an opening (stoma) of the large bowel (colon) onto the surface of the tummy (abdomen). Your poo no longer passes out of your body through your back passage. Instead, it passes out through the stoma. You wear a bag that sticks onto the skin over the stoma to collect your poo.
Sleeping on your back is a safe option, especially in the days and weeks after surgery. If you are sleeping on the same side as your stoma, you may feel a little vulnerable and worry that it may either hurt or you might roll onto your stoma and even your pouch. The mattress will support the ostomy pouch as it fills.
Go through your bag with your stoma equipment to check you have everything you need and that it is easily accessible for use in the airport and plane. It is advisable to keep this bag with most of your stoma equipment within your hand luggage, so this is always with you and within easy reach.
Maintain in control. Finally, make sure you don't drink too much that you lose coordination or control. Remembering to change your stoma bag is really important to avoid any leakages, so as long as you don't drink to the point that you physically can't change your bag, then you should be absolutely fine!
Sleeping positions with a stoma
Laying on your stomach may increase the chance of leaks if the stoma becomes active and the bag begins to fill up. There's not really a way around this. Ostomates usually know when the stoma is generally going to be active if they eat and drink at the same times every day.
Most people with stomas may have to go through a stoma infection. However, it is a possibility that anyone with a stoma should know about it. The first sign of a stoma infection may be a pus-like discharge, unusual swelling, increasing redness, or color changes.
Also, it is normal to smell your ostomy output and gas when you are changing your ostomy bag. As you would if you went to the toilet the standard way to poo, it's natural for it to have a smell... After all, it is waste from your digestive system!
Red or sore skin around your stoma is usually caused by leakage from your pouch and the output from your stoma getting underneath the appliance and onto your skin. It is important to regularly evaluate the skin around your stoma.