Living and supporting life with stoma (colostomy/ ileostomy/ urostomy)

Bathing and showering

Depending on how active your stoma is, you can bathe and shower with or without your stoma appliances.
Just be prepared for when the stoma becomes active during the bath.

It is better to wait approximately 2 hours after you eat before you bathe/ shower. The stoma tends to be less active before eating in case of ileostomy. In case of colostomy, in about a year after the surgery, you may be able to find a pattern to when the stoma is active, so try avoiding to bathe when the stoma is active. Your stoma may become active in water, so if you are worried about unexpected leak, you can hold a cup or a bowl over the stoma or have a plastic bag ready while you bathe.
If the water is too hot, it may cause a light burn to the stoma membrane, so keep the water temperature around 40 degrees Celsius.

Empty your stoma bag into the toilet before you bathe or shower.
If your stoma bag has a filter, water may penetrate through the filter and deteriorate its function, so attach the water resistant sticker that comes with your stoma bag onto the slit of the filter.
The stoma bag may float when you soak in the tub. If that bothers you, you can fold the bag small and tape it down on to your belly.
If you immerse in water for a long time, the peripheral part of the face plate may dissolve or melt. To avoid this, place some water resistant tape around the skin barrier before you bathe.
After taking the bath or shower, the stoma bag will be wet or there might be water residues on the lining, so dry it out with a towel.