Hello ostomates. I found I prefer bag changes after a shower. The chance to shower bag-free, just me and the stoma. Good for peristomal health as well. I do, however, miss a good tub soaking. Is it okay to do that bag-free with the stoma fully immersed in water?
Rene
Jan 24, 2024 6:59 pm
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I began my Urostomy life February 27th, 2023...a month and a half ago. I stumbled upon this site from another on Youtube and website called VeganOstomy and between that site and this one, most of my fear and worry of not having any answers other than calling the Dr's office recording menu and hoping to hear back in the next day or two for an answer to leaks, skin irritations etc, or just feeling alone and the "no one understands" thoughts I had to look forward to in my mind were all put to rest by these two websites and the community here at MaO!! I have been here for a few weeks now, and the help and support offered by the members here is just amazing!! The information and support is absolutely priceless for anyone recently out of their surgery and have tons of questions or had it for years...sit down...have a good read and you will see for yourself!!
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CrappyColon
Jan 25, 2024 4:01 pm
Ileostomies aren't known for being on their best behavior, so unless you have yours down to a science… your bath will probably be joined by some effluence 😉
Avoiding Ostomy Bag Leaking | Managing Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden
w30bob
Jan 25, 2024 9:55 pm
Hi Rene,
The issue with taking a bath versus a shower is that in a shower the fresh clean water is constantly flowing over your stoma and surrounding area. When you take a bath, the soap residue as well as dirt washed off you and dead skin cells all float on the top of the bath water. If you let that sit around your stoma area, it's not the best thing. And as you get up out of the water, that residue will deposit itself on your skin as well. So at the very least, have a pitcher or large cup full of clean water and wash off the area around your stoma as you get up out of the bath water. Other than that... have a blast!!
;O)
AlexT
Jan 26, 2024 2:50 am
That's why you rinse off with a quick shower after your bubbly bath, duh. 😁
Shawn57
Jan 29, 2024 4:11 pm
Yes, I always shower before I change and give the stoma "a vacation." As for a bath, if you can time it right so that the stoma is asleep, then go for it, but I haven't had much luck with the timing. So when I take a soak, I do it with the bag on. But definitely shower well after you soak if you're doing it without a bag.
wiljpeters
Jan 31, 2024 6:25 pm
I am apparently the odd man out. I've never done the "naked shower" or bath. I have two ostomies, so there isn't really any way to do so without issues. You all have better-behaved stomas than I.
charlie
Oct 07, 2024 2:39 am
I always bathe bag-free; yes, sometimes the timing is wrong, but I don't care, I too deserve a soaking. I have always used an antiseptic (Dettol) in my bath. I find the soaking gets the skin clean in all the nooks and crannies that get missed from day to day.
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Living with an ostomy doesn’t mean you have to live with stoma fluid leakage or skin irritation.
Learn how convex skin barriers work and what benefits they offer.
Learn how convex skin barriers work and what benefits they offer.