It’s not uncommon for Summer to be a source of anxiety for ostomates. The extra heat for a couple of months every year can cause issues, such as itching, melting adhesive, leaks, and dehydration!
It’s not something I managed to figure out, but as you probably already know, I’m an active member of the online IBD and Ostomy community. What better way is there to find solutions to problems than to ask those that have been dealing with them?! So, before ostomy number three, I asked the members of the #IBDSuperHeroes Facebook group to give me some advice for dealing with the heat.
I thought I’d collate the advice for anyone else struggling. Remember; what works for one ostomate may not necessarily work for another, so it may take a few tries or even a combination of these ideas to help you.
Tips for itching with an ostomy bag
- Antihistamines help prevent itching for some
- Tap rather than scratching when itching
Tips for sweating with an ostomy bag
- Bags with micro-skins rather than a thick flange
- Cotton ostomy bag covers may decrease sweating, or absorb the sweat better
- Something to lay over your stomach to keep cool, such as a pet cooling mat.
Lots of different methods were suggested, but the majority were things to apply to the skin before applying a new flange which may help absorb perspiration and/or prevent itching. These were:
- Baby powder
- Cornstarch
- Barrier wipes/spray/paste
- Calamine lotion
- Roll-on, non-perfumed deodorant
- Using the crusting method – use a stoma powder and then a protective barrier spray. Alternate the two products 3 times before applying a new bag.
Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford | Patient Advocacy 