Hot weather and stoma care tips| by Phillipa

As soon as the warm weather arrives, I absolutely love spending more time outside. Whether it’s relaxing in the garden with my family, heading down to the promenade in my area for a walk, enjoying a day out with my fiancé or going out for drinks with the girls, having a stoma has not stopped me from making the most of summer.

That said the hot weather can definitely affect how I feel especially with my stoma so over the years I’ve found a few things that really help me stay comfortable, hydrated and feeling confident. Everyone is different but these are the tips that definitely work best for me.

Keeping hydrated

Living with an ileostomy means hydration is super important but it’s even more essential during the hot weather, but that doesn’t just come from drinking lots of water as that actually tends to have the opposite effect so this is where electrolytes come into the equation. My favourites would be Dioralyte sachets mixed in water and I also love the Free Soul mixed berries sachets that you add to water too! If I’m out and about my go-to is definitely a Lucozade sport. I find that these help me stay hydrated throughout the hot days.

On especially hot days and definitely during heatwaves, I also take a little more loperamide tablets than I usually would (following the advice from my healthcare team, of course), as it helps slow my output down when the heat seems to make everything move a little bit more faster for me.

One other thing I always like to think about is if I’m going out for some drinks as alcohol can be dehydrating regardless of having an ostomy and specifically when you have an ileostomy, it’s something I try to be extra mindful about but can still have a fun at the same time. Before I head out, I’ll usually have one of my electrolyte sachets so that I know I’m starting off hydrated. Then whilst I’m out I try my best in between alcohol drinks to drink some water too. That way I can still enjoy a few drinks with my friends and family whilst doing my best to keep on top of my hydration.

Listen to your body

If the heat starts to become too much, I don’t try to push through it. I’ll head back inside, go and sit in a cool, darker room with a fan on and give my body a chance to cool down. I feel in this instance the best thing I can do is rest if it feels too much for me.

If it’s been a very hot day and I know that it’s going to be unbearable to sleep through the night, I like to make sure before bed to get in a cool shower and stay in it for a few minutes. This really helps to lower my body temperature and leaves me feeling refreshed, and I actually end up having a much better sleep which results to waking up in the morning feeling much fresher and hydrated, ready for the day ahead.

Be kind to your skin

The heat can sometimes make my skin sweat more, which isn’t always ideal when you have a stoma bag attached to you. Most of the time my usual routine works amazing, especially because I wear an eakin freeseal underneath my bag which sits around my stoma. It helps me feel extra secure even during the hotter months.

Very occasionally, if it’s exceptionally hot, I might do an extra bag change during the day just to keep my skin feeling fresh and comfortable. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s nice knowing I can adapt my routine if I need to. I also make sure I have all of my supplies stocked up, so then I know I’ve got enough supplies to do some extra bag changes during the hot weather.

Avoid the hottest times of the day

If I know it’s going to be a really hot day, I’ll try to avoid sitting out in the strongest midday sunshine. Instead, I’ll enjoy being outside earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when it’s still gorgeous outside but not quite as intense. It makes such a difference and of course, do not forget to keep topping up your suncream!

If you do overheat, do not panic. Last month I actually experienced sunstroke and it wasn’t nice at all. The most important thing for me was getting plenty of rest, drinking my electrolytes and cooling my body right down. I applied lots of cold Aloe Vera to my skin and placed a cold wet towel over myself to help bring my temperature down. I honestly think I slept for 2 straight days but the rest was definitely needed and I felt back to normal after that. That experience definitely reminded me how important it is to listen to my body and not ignore the signs that I needed to slow it down.

Don’t let your stoma stop you from enjoying the summer

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is this – don’t let having a stoma stop you from enjoying the warmer months. Yes, having an ileostomy means I have to think and plan ahead a little bit more, but it certainly doesn’t stop me from making the most amazing memories. Whether that’s going on holiday, spending the day at the beach, relaxing by the pool or relaxing in the garden, enjoying a BBQ with your favourite people, I just make sure I have a little plan in place.

Stay hydrated with electrolytes, listen to your body, protect your skin from the sun and always carry some extra stoma supplies you may need. A little preparation can go a long way, trust me on that one. And most importantly, wear the bikini, wear the shorts, wear the summer dress, wear whatever makes you feel your best during the summer. All bodies are bikini bodies and your body is beautiful. You’ve been through so much and your stoma and your scars tell your story. They are a reminder of your strength and everything you have overcome. You deserve to feel confident, comfortable and absolutely amazing this summer, because a stoma should never stop you from living your best life.

Phillipa
@phillipakayx