Winter Top Tips: Ostomy Edition

Winter Top Tips: Ostomy Edition

As the weather dips to -4 degrees this week, I thought it’s the perfect time to share some essential tips for managing an ostomy in the winter months. The cold can bring some unexpected challenges, but with a little preparation and some handy tricks, you can stay comfortable!

Smart Storage for Supplies

Keep your supplies away from the radiator! I store my additional ostomy supplies under the bed to avoid exposure to extreme heat, which could affect their quality. For the products I use daily, I’ve found a cool spot in the bathroom, well away from the heated towel rail. This helps ensure all the adhesives maintain their effectiveness.

Preparing Your Seals and Bag

Before application, I warm the adhesive on my seals and bag. I hold the seals in my hands for about 20 seconds to make them softer which means they are easier to mould around my stoma. This little trick ensures a snugger, more secure fit.

Skin Care is Key

I get really dry skin in the winter, and my peristomal skin is no exception. To combat dryness, I use a Vitamin E moisturiser regularly before applying my bag. Not only does this moisturise the skin, but it also creates a better surface for the bag to adhere to as it’s not dry and uneven. To avoid worrying about any further skin damage, I always use eakin freeseal^® to prevent leaks and further irritation to the skin.

Winter Clothes

When it comes to dressing for winter, we are all inclined to layer up to keep warm. But what we don’t consider is how restrictive this can be to our stoma bags. If layering up, I try and opt for stretchy fabrics to make sure my bag isn’t restricted. For example, when I buy tights, I tend to size up to ensure they aren’t putting too much pressure on my bag which can sometimes end up in a leak!

Change in Diet

The colder weather is often accompanied by more winter-warming comfort foods. Any change in diet will probably affect your output. I always keep an eye out when my diet changes to make sure it doesn’t affect my output too much! As with an Ileostomy, the food I eat massively affects how thick/watery my output is.

Navigating through the winter months with an ostomy may need some extra thought and care, but it doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By adapting your storage habits, preparing your supplies carefully, prioritising skin care, choosing the right clothing, and being mindful of diet changes, you can effectively manage your ostomy even in the coldest weather.

Summer
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