Everything you need for travelling
Love jetting off to sunny beaches, snowy mountains, or bustling cities? There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy all the same getaways with a stoma.
Air travel with a stoma
Travelling by plane doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s what you can do ahead of time to make your travel day run smoothly:
- Create a checklist of all the stoma care items you’ll need to take with you
- Make sure you’ve got the right travel insurance before you set off
- Keep your travel certificate in your hand luggage to help you get through security, minus the stress (Bonus tip: you can also get your certificate translated into several languages)
- Travelling to a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland? Make sure you get your hands on a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Divide your stoma care supplies if you are bringing checked luggage
- Pack twice as many supplies as you’d normally use – just to be on the safe side
- Pack your scissors and any aerosols in your checked luggage – and don’t forget to pre-cut your pouch before you travel (Bonus tip: If you don’t fancy doing it yourself, ask your stoma nurse if pre-cut pouches can be arranged for you!)
- Pack your medical supplies in a clear bag to make it quicker to get through security
- Plan to wear comfortable clothes – especially for a long-haul flight
- Empty your pouch just before you get into the queue to board your flight
- Get clued up on airport security and body screening with a stoma (we’ve got all the info you need below)
Navigating airport security and body screening
If you’re jetting off abroad, don’t forget your travel certificate. It describes your situation, plus any equipment you need, and it can be translated into several languages. You can get your hands on one from your stoma care nurse, your local Ileostomy Association (IA), Colostomy Association (CA) or Urostomy Association (UA); and for extra peace of mind, you can also ask your GP for a letter, too. You’ll need to keep these documents in your hand luggage while you’re travelling as you’ll probably need to show them to security staff. You can also let airport security know that you have a stoma and you’re travelling with stoma care supplies to avoid any embarrassment. And if you’ve got a closed pouch, it’s a good idea to change it before you go through security if you can, so it’s as empty as possible.
If an airport security officer wants to search you and/or your supplies at the airport, remember:
- Your travel certificate will come in handy here
- You can ask for a private search, so you don’t feel anxious or embarrassed about being searched in public
- Although body scanners won’t show your internal body parts, it’s likely to pick up that you have a stoma pouch
- Security officers go through special training to deal with this, so you can expect them to handle it in an appropriate and sensitive way, without physical contact or a hand search
- You won’t be able to touch your stoma care supplies until your search is complete
Still feeling stressed about flying with a stoma? You can always contact your airport and speak to their security team directly. They’ll be able to answer any questions you might have – and if it’s your first time flying with a stoma pouch, they might even arrange a ‘walk through’ before you fly.
Eating and drinking on holiday
One of the best things about travelling is sampling the different cuisines. But eating different foods can also wreak havoc with your digestion. Luckily, a few tweaks can help you minimise any issues so you can enjoy all the local delicacies when you’re on holiday. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- If you’re visiting a hot country, avoid food – especially shellfish – that’s been sat around for a while
- Give salad and fruit a good wash before eating them
- Stick to bottled water (you can also use bottled water to clean around your stoma)
- Avoid ice cubes
- Drink alcohol in moderation – and try having a glass of water for every glass of alcohol you have to avoid dehydration (more on this below)
Staying hydrated
If you’re holidaying in a hot and humid climate, it’s easy to get dehydrated. Watch out for signs like:
- Headaches
- Thirst
- Dizziness
- Dark urine
- Feeling light-headed or weak
Isotonic sports drinks can help you stay hydrated, and you can grab them from most local shops or pharmacies. If your dehydration persists, you should get medical help immediately.
Storing your stoma supplies on holiday
Heading to a hot or humid destination?
- A cool bag can be a game-changer for protecting your stoma supplies from the heat
- If you can’t get your hands on a cool bag, store your stoma supplies in the coolest part of your accommodation
- When applying sunscreen, make sure to put on your stoma pouch first before lathering up with lotion. Keep in mind that sun lotion and warmer climates can affect the adhesion of your stoma pouch, so you might need to change it more frequently than usual to keep everything secure.
- If it’s your first time travelling or heading to a different climate, we recommend chatting with your stoma nurse. Warmer climates can require a few adjustments to your usual products. If you notice the edges of your pouch aren’t sticking well, or if you’re frequently in and out of the water, a flange extender can be a lifesaver. Additionally, using a skin barrier cream or wipe can help the pouch adhere better and protect your skin from irritation.
The help you need when you want it
You deserve to be the best version of yourself. And if you need some help along the way, there’s an incredible community of straight-talking ambassadors to give you support when you need it.
