Living and supporting life with stoma

Bathing and showering

Tips on using public bath

Stoma does not keep you from using public bath (like sento or onsen) or common bath in accommodation facilities. Here are some tips you can take to avoid catching unwanted attention.

Manners when using public bath

• In public bath, keep your appliances on for both ileostomy/ colostomy and urostomy.
• Do not dispose the stoma bag in trash bins in the bathroom. Take it back to your room and dispose it accordingly.
• Even if you are using private bath (in your room), do not drain the stool down the drain in the bathroom and discard them accordingly into the toilet.

Tips to keep away unwanted attentions

• Check where the toilet, dressing room, sink, etc. are in advance and prepare what you will need in your room before taking the bath.
• Empty the stoma bag beforehand.
• If you are worried your stoma bag stands out, you can use a compact-sized or skin-colored stoma bag.