How to Enjoy the Summer with the Stoma?

When a person has an ostomy, he/she thinks, it is better to stay at home and not to enjoy summer. Well, there is no reason to stay back and not to play with the colors of summer. You can also live your summer days with full enthusiasm and amusement. You can go for swimming, sports, BBQ parties, and anything else you want. You can join your friend’s parties and can make your summer plans. 

When you have a stoma, you just need to be a little careful. With some precautions, you can do whatever you want. You can live your summer vibes with a full playful mind and body. However, you cannot ignore the fact that you have to be a little vigilant as compared to others, as you are the one who has a stoma. Therefore, read out my blog, and enjoy your summer vacations in full swing.

Some Necessary Precautions

In summer, the first and foremost thing is the wearing duration of your ostomy pouch. You cannot wear it for a longer time as like any other weather. You have to change it two times a day in summer. Apart from the ostomy pouch, other supplies also need a change. The heat of the summer can damage your skin and stoma. Therefore, you need to change your flanges, barrier, and adhesive frequently. 

Well, when it comes to glues, it can melt quickly because of the heat waves; therefore, you should apply adhesive three to four times a day. Moreover, in summer, you will face odor more often than winter and fall. Thus, you should put in your perfume and powder frequently. In summer, you should keep in mind, that you cannot let your peristomal wet. The skin around the stoma should be dry and clean. Otherwise, your skin can get rashes and allergy. Merely, you need to take care of your stoma and peristomal skin like a baby. You cannot ignore the fluid discharge, wear time, odor, and rashes.

If you feel itching on the peristomal skin, do not rub the skin. Use a medicated powder to get rid of itching and irritation. The constant redness and itching can cause severe damage to your skin around the stoma.

Wearing a stoma bag does not mean that you cannot wear your swimsuit. When you pay vigilant attention to your stoma bag and supplies, you can wear whatever you want. You can play football, basketball, cricket, or any other sport. You can follow your hobby. 

You can do the gym, gardening, cycling, traveling, trekking, anything you like. When you walk, run, play, drive, or ride, make sure the adhesive has fixed to your stoma barrier. The ostomy pouch is not losing. Apart from the ostomy barrier, whenever you are out of your home, keep a small ostomy kit with you. You should have adhesive, powder, perfume, and an extra ostomy pouch in it. When you feel, you should change the barrier, change it immediately. Moreover, when you feel itching or rashes, apply your ostomy powder. You should use antifungal powders in summer.

Some Necessary Precautions for Food

When it is summer, you should drink plenty of water. As because of the sweating, we discharge a lot of water from our bodies. Therefore, we should drink water as much as we can. This precautionary line is for every person, either he has stoma or not.

However, when you have a stoma, you should drink water more than a normal person should. Because you discharge fluid constantly in your stoma pouch. If you will not drink water, your stoma will get dry, it can cause fungal infection, and you will have to face intense pain in your stoma. Therefore, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and hard foods in summer. Drink plenty of water and eat more fruits.