Surviving the Summer with an Ostomy: A Guide

Summer time can sometimes be a daunting time when you have an ostomy. Worries tend to focus around the heat, your supplies and how they’ll hold up and how to avoid being caught out or avoid a hospital admission. 

In this guide, I’ll be looking to the common fears new ostomates might have, along with some advice about how to lessen those fears and worries they might have. It’s also good information for well seasoned ostomates too; sometimes you just need a refresher or just some fresh eyes. 

Hope you enjoy! 

xox 

Disclaimer: This information is based on my own personal experience since my ostomy surgery in August 2016 and is not intended to replace medical advice from a trained professional. If you are requiring advice regarding your own stoma, routines which might benefit you most, or products that suit your needs best, please contact your stoma care nurse for further assistance.

Managing Your stoma Supplies

Don’t Sweat It!

With increased temperatures, you may find you perspire more than usual, but modern-day ostomy pouches are designed to stay sealed to the skin and stay intact for up to a few days at a time, even with the typical daily moisture such as normal showers, baths, and sweating.

On average, people tend to change their bags every few days and reapply, but this will depend on your individual needs, rate of usage, and the type of ostomy appliances you use. Hot weather can cause some to panic that their bag needs changing every day or whenever it becomes loose, but keeping an eye on erosion – how much of the baseplate has been ‘eaten’ away by your output, it usually turns a darker colour to that of the flange edge –  during an appliance change, and if you notice that there’s more erosion than normal, change it sooner the next time. If your appliance isn’t affected by sweat, then don’t sweat this extra step!

You can use antiperspirants for your ostomy. A very experienced SCN told me this a couple of weeks ago; that if you use antiperspirants on the skin around your stoma it can help keep the sweating under your baseplate to a minimum. Whilst she said, this also explained this should be used as a replacement for your barrier step in your routine –  if you use a barrier spray or wipe, that is! – as using both can cause a reaction. I have yet to try this myself, but if you feel like experimenting, please talk to your stoma nurse first to make sure that it’s going to be safe and appropriate for you.

Most ostomy appliances come equipped with a water-resistant adhesive that should seal quite well. However, if you’re having difficulties keeping your pouch sealed to your skin, there are special adhesives available that create a stronger seal than usual.  

Most stoma companies have a full line of extended wear products such skin barriers and various one-piece and two-piece ostomy pouches specifically created for those with an active lifestyle. Exploring these options before the weather turns, is a good ‘thinking ahead’ plan. Having the ability to find a product that is either a good all-rounder, one that is more suitable for you to use when active, or one that holds up well under the heat of the weather; is always good news.

Skin Issues

If you’ve been changing your pouch more often and the skin surrounding your stoma has become more irritated – redness, chafing, bumps, etc – this is because the skin is more susceptible to breakdown when it is hot and moist. This includes the area where the ostomy appliance sits, which can form rashes because of the friction of the pouch against the skin combined with heat. You may want to look into a powder to absorb perspiration.

If you have trouble with ostomy appliance leaks because of moisture, you can also try stoma paste or seals to create a stronger, more reliable seal.

Avoid using any Karaya rubber-based ostomy wafers in high heat conditions. This rubber material is soft and conformable, but in hot conditions it can break down and even melt. It’s best to use a synthetic wafer which tends to have a higher heat threshold.

Be cautious when using tape or other adhesives to reinforce the edge of the flange or barrier border. If there is sweat beneath the barrier and the seal breaks down stool or urine could collect and cause skin irritation. Taping is a good option if you are engaging in activities where there is more movement of the abdomen.

If you have pre-existing skin issues or a diagnosed hernia or need convex products, it is always advisable to speak to your SCN or directly to the stoma company for some guidance and advice before using new products. Some are suitable for all, others find them not so. However,  issues such as leaks and sore skin, is not something you should have to just ‘put up with’ and struggle to battle on a daily basis. There are products and tips to help you out, if needed. There is a recommend list of products at the bottom, but rremember; these work for me, but might not work for you. Use with care and common sense. 

Remember, on hot sunny days, it doesn’t take long for the temperature inside your car to soar, so be sure not to leave your ostomy products and other medical supplies in the vehicle.

Getting Enough Fluids – Be A Hydration Station!

Maintaining Hydration with a Stoma

If you have a stoma, it is particularly important to drink enough water to keep yourself well-hydrated.

Common sense would suggest that you should be replacing the fluids you’re losing, but if you aren’t used to sweating a lot then you may underestimate the amount you need, thus the more you sweat, the more fluids you will need. The easiest way to overcome this is simply to add more liquids to your daily goal, but it also helps to consume more water-rich foods, which as a bonus, will help to cool you down during the summer. My favorites during the hot months are watermelon, honeydew melon, grapes, cucumber, and mangoes.

Don’t be afraid of electrolytes! Water isn’t the best way to stay hydrated as it has no electrolytes. If you have an ostomy, specifically an ileostomy, then you will benefit greatly from drinking fluids that contain added electrolytes. These may include commercial or homemade oral rehydration solutions.. It is worth asking your doctor for a goal when it comes to electrolytes as you do want to make sure you’re getting enough –  not too much, not too little. This can take a little tweaking to get right.

ORS drinks can be useful if you have a short bowel or a high-output ileostomy, but with these conditions you may also need to restrict your total intake of fluid to avoid dehydration. This is because drinking too much plain water can wash essential salts out of the small intestine and into the stoma bag. As water is best absorbed together with sugar and salt, loss of these salts through stoma output can lead to dehydration. Your IBD team will tell you ifthis is the case, and can help you to manage your general diet and fluid intake.