The topic at hand is about how heatwaves might affect the effectiveness of ileostomy products, specifically Salts barrier rings and Coloplast pouches. A new ileostomate in the UK is concerned about whether high temperatures could damage these supplies during storage or while being worn. They are particularly curious about how these products hold up in temperatures over 40°C, as experienced by people in Australia.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Storage Basics
- Store barrier rings, seals, and wafers (like those from Salts, Eakin, ConvaTec) in a cool, dark place. Heat can soften the materials, and UV light can degrade them.
- Keep supplies in their original boxes, ideally in a bedroom closet or another cool room.
- Avoid storing them in bathrooms, hot cars, or direct sunlight.
- For short-term car kits, it's fine to keep them there, but make sure to rotate or replace them about once a year.

2. Real-World Temperature Tolerance
- People from the UK, Australia, and Texas, where temperatures often exceed 40°C, report no product failures due to heat alone.
- Pouches stored in plastic totes or vehicles through different seasons still work well when used later.

3. Perspiration vs. Heat
- Loss of adhesion is usually due to sweating rather than the ambient temperature.
- If you find yourself sweating a lot (while gardening, playing sports, or working outdoors), take a break, cool down, dry your skin, and change the wafer or bag if necessary.

4. Product Alternatives and Tips
- If Salts rings become problematic in extreme heat or sweat, consider using Eakin seals as an alternative.
- ConvaTec wafers are known to hold up well in very hot and humid climates.