Showering

[timbo267]

Just wondering what most people do. Do you shower with your bag on or off? Do you use soap or shower gel? Are you ok with getting your stoma wet?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I do both. If I'm changing the bag I wash the stoma with plain dial soap without residue and then put the new barrier and bag on. On non change days I shower with the bag and blow dry the barrier and bag after.

 

[timbo267]

Okay thanks.. Is there any way you can damage the stoma? I am a bit worried about using water that is too hot or certain soap causing a problem

 

[vonfunk]

If someone starts punching you in the stoma on a regular basis (or repeatedly in one go) it will get damaged, however it is really resilient. Showering really only affects the appliance.

But to answer the questions.

Bag on & soap. However I irrigate whenever I change my bag.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I take really hot showers it just brings the blood to your stoma so it's very red but harmless. Dont put boiling water on it but otherwise stoma can handle a lot. I sleep on my belly and it's fine.

 

[timbo267]

Ok thanks for the reassurance

 

[Nyx]

My stepdaughter kicked me full on in the stoma once, and it survived. They can really take a lot of abuse. It bled like crazy, and the bruising was kind of painful, but it was fine. I know this doesn't have anything to do with showering, but I wanted to reassure you that you don't need to baby it.

 

[Fififluff]

I shower with my bag on then change it when I get out as I tend to poop in the shower.

 

[Susan2]

I like to shower with no bag on as I find that the water is very soothing and I use soap or body wash without a lot of additives. I'm retired so I can usually wait to shower until mid-morning when my stoma usually has quiet time. If you rub the stoma it will bleed - you have to remember that it is the same stuff as the lining of your mouth - but it heals quickly.

 

[skully87]

I seem to always leak after a shower, the bottom of the water barrier on my appliance always seems to loosen up and leaks occur a few hours later - any suggestions?

 

[Susan2]

Perhaps use the Coloplast Brava elastic tape (semi circular strips that reinforce the edges of the base plate) or I sometimes use micropore if I'm a bit worried about the edges lifting. There's also another tape that some people use - sorry, I've forgotten its name, but I'll go searching for it. Some people have success using plastic bags taped on but that has never worked for me.

 

[vonfunk]

Tegaderm or Opsite Flexifix, they are the same thing just different brands (Opsite is cheaper) it's the thin tape/film that they use in hospitals to put over IV sites. It's amazing, wonderful and lasts an incredibly long time.

I've used the Brava tape mentioned above, it also lifts at the edges but is fairly solid beyond that. It's not my first choice, I'd recommend getting a sample to try it. But the Tegaderm in my opinion is the way to go.

 

[Susan2]

Tegaderm or Opsite Flexifix, they are the same thing just different brands (Opsite is cheaper) it's the thin tape/film that they use in hospitals to put over IV sites. It's amazing, wonderful and lasts an incredibly long time.

I've used the Brava tape mentioned above, it also lifts at the edges but is fairly solid beyond that. It's not my first choice, I'd recommend getting a sample to try it. But the Tegaderm in my opinion is the way to go.

Thanks. :thumright:

Tegaderm was the one that I was thinking of but couldn't remember its name - I blame the onset of old age memory loss.

 

[robbo87]

I have too much of an active stoma ( and a white bathroom...) to be risking showering with it off so i've never tried it. Generally speaking i changed my bag every 3-4 days so most days when i shower wear a waistband which helps keep everything stuck down and dryish. I'll echo the comments about opsite flexifix too. that stuff is brilliant. if im due to change everything ill shower with no waistband on and give everything a good clean with soap around my bag and fistula then change after ive dried off

 

[Tricky Dicky]

For some reason I feel quite "free" when showering. I take the bag off and then have a good shower without the fear of pain or leakage. Can't shower every day as I change bag on alternate days, but I love it when I do.

 

[Susan2]

Same with me. I shower without the bag whenever possible. I think that plain water is the best thing for cleaning my stoma and it stops any itching or irritation.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Arent you guys who shower with bag off afraid of the water getting under the seal and breaking the barrier or the ring?

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Arent you guys who shower with bag off afraid of the water getting under the seal and breaking the barrier or the ring?

I only use one-piece bags, so no problem

 

[nogutsnoglory]

So how do you shower with a one piece unless you are putting a new bag on daily?

 

[Tricky Dicky]

So how do you shower with a one piece unless you are putting a new bag on daily?

Currently showering on alternate days when I change my bag. Not ideal, but
I don't want to shower with the bag on, although I have done once with no problem. I've only had my stoma 4 weeks, so still trial and error for me.

 

[DJW]

I use a washcloth and shower gel. I prefer not to let water pour over the appliance. I rinse with a washcloth.

 

[Susan2]

I use one-piece, too. I take the whole lot off every third day or so and shower without the bag. Otherwise I use Micropore or Brava tape to protect the edges when showering, then replace the Micropore when it's all dry. I find that it is usually okay. (Also, I've retired and become a lot less fussy about showering every single day unless I feel that I need to. The skin specialists tell us that we wash our bodies far too much. )