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Hot showers for better ostomy appliance adhesion

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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Joined: 10 years ago
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One trick I find myself doing is having a hot shower after putting my appliance on. 

The heat causes the wafer to stick to my skin way better than just holding it firmly with my hand.

Usually, I put my appliance on after having a shower, but doing it this way gives me longer wear time (my last appliance was on 6.5 days). 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2022
 

Now that's an interesting one, I always jump in the show when doing my change so may give it ago. do ye go in with just the wafer.

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Posted by: john68

do ye go in with just the wafer.

Everything. I'm not sure if water exposure on the wafer part around the stoma is a good idea right after putting it on. I know some will shower without the bag on, but that's usually after the wafer has been on for a while. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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Illona
(@illona)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 79
 

I love to shower with everything off me so I get the area really clean.  My ostomy nurse gave me a tip that I use each time.  After I change the set, I lay down in bed with a heating pad on the area for about 5-10 minutes.  I do believe the heat, no matter how you get it, helps adhesion.  So far so good.  I assume a hair dryer would also work.


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
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Some bodys stolen my idea AGAIN lol. I hate to see things going to waste and seeing I am bald I had to find some use for the hair dryer

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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Illona
(@illona)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 79
 

If your hair dryer gets hot enough you can also melt marshmallows with it :-)


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Posted by: Illona

 After I change the set, I lay down in bed with a heating pad on the area for about 5-10 minutes.  I do believe the heat, no matter how you get it, helps adhesion.  So far so good.  I assume a hair dryer would also work.

Yes, any heat should work, but I find a hot shower to be the most convenient (since I'd be having a shower anyway ?). 

No matter what method you choose, just make sure you don't burn or scold your skin. 

 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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Marcie
(@shulmjs)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1510
 

And NO soap/oli base hair creams on the  tummy area... I always take a nice hot bath before I am due to give "Nellie" a new dress. Have thing all ready and a chair.. Relaz and try to enjoy this messy time of ours...... :=) 

2014 - 3 strangulations of colon, Ulcerative colitis, removal of colon, illiostomcy named woooh Nellie..


   
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Marcie
(@shulmjs)
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John, how about a great picture to go with a great guy? I am sure that your personality is all over yourself.. It will be a GEAT picture.. Indeed yes? 

2014 - 3 strangulations of colon, Ulcerative colitis, removal of colon, illiostomcy named woooh Nellie..


   
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Marcie
(@shulmjs)
Joined: 6 years ago
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Eric, I still shy away from a shower with a pouch on-afraid that it will fall off, or get water into the barrier/wafer.. and during the day have problems..  Still going at this slowly.. Guess I have to take a step further huh?  talk about Baby Steps.. :-(

2014 - 3 strangulations of colon, Ulcerative colitis, removal of colon, illiostomcy named woooh Nellie..


   
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VeganOstomy
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Posted by: Marcie

Eric, I still shy away from a shower with a pouch on-afraid that it will fall off, or get water into the barrier/wafer..

I have no problems with tape border wafers, but the thicker hydrocolloid ones always peel a little bit, which makes me nervous ?

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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Marcie
(@shulmjs)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1510
 

You use tape boarders.. those r extended off the barrier right? What kind? I tried sure seal, but I made a mess out of them before I could get them on.. So I am just going it with just the basic old fashion me-  - nothing else but the wafer/barrier. See? I had a correct fear.. no extenders. Skin irrations r favorable to me.. 

2014 - 3 strangulations of colon, Ulcerative colitis, removal of colon, illiostomcy named woooh Nellie..


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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By tape border, I mean the actual wafer uses a tape border - Hollister New Image. A few brands gave tape borders, but many will use hydrocolloid. 

I very rarely use wafer extenders. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@mykirbyroo)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 82
 

Hi, Eric!  I'm with you on this.  I almost always shower WITH my wafer and pouch on.  Just pat them dry with my towel when I get out and the wafer hasn't fallen off yet.  Don't expect it to, either!  I am kind of careful with my washcloth around the wafer and don't rub real hard, but it works very well for me.

Rosebud hasn't had a real "wash" with soap and water in a long time -- and she's in perfect condition.  I do use flushable butt wipes to clean her off when I change my wafer, but that's the closest to soap and water that she usually gets.  I use the flushable wipes from Wal-Mart and my wafer sticks really well.  I don't use Cavillon or other things.  Just the butt wipes.

Thanks for re-affirming what I've discovered.  Hot showers and wafers DO mix!!!!


   
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Marcie
(@shulmjs)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1510
 

I have gotten to that point of showering and then go off fir my day yet.. BUt I guess it is time huh?

2014 - 3 strangulations of colon, Ulcerative colitis, removal of colon, illiostomcy named woooh Nellie..


   
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(@zvitusk)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 396
 

I hate to admit it, but I was limiting bathing to prevent the wafer from falling off.
last night, I read your posts and decided that I have been an idiot. I allowed my fears to control me.
I woke up at3 AM and grabbed my bag and ran to the bath.
It was wonderful. I am free!.
All day ,I was thinking about my wafer. It ignored my attention.
HURRAY, I AM CLEAN!
Monday, is my new " changes the bag "day. (If it lasts).

Hey, I'm not so exuberant every day, I am up since 3 AM.


   
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Marcie
(@shulmjs)
Joined: 6 years ago
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3: a.m? I m only up at around those hours for a leak-- shower, dress Nellie, change the sheets and back to sleep!! but that doesn't happen much anymore..   3:00???? where do u go at that time?????? 

2014 - 3 strangulations of colon, Ulcerative colitis, removal of colon, illiostomcy named woooh Nellie..


   
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BigMike322
(@bigmike322)
Joined: 6 months ago
Posts: 85
 

I try not to get my pouch too wet in thr shower.  At first it was fear, now it's the time it takes thr appliance to dry.  I have used Walmart flushable wipes to clean during a change but when I have I've always jumped in the shower after thr super and before putting on the new appliance.  

Do the wipes cause adhesive issues of used during a straight up change with no bathing?  If not they could be good to have in my emergency kit.  I've had to do 3 pouch changes st work but it's been in a full bathroom with sink access.  In public I know I wont be so lucky.   


   
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cygo
 cygo
(@cygo)
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 93
 

Posted by: @bigmike322

I try not to get my pouch too wet in thr shower.  At first it was fear, now it's the time it takes thr appliance to dry.  I have used Walmart flushable wipes to clean during a change but when I have I've always jumped in the shower after thr super and before putting on the new appliance.  

Do the wipes cause adhesive issues of used during a straight up change with no bathing?  If not they could be good to have in my emergency kit.  I've had to do 3 pouch changes st work but it's been in a full bathroom with sink access.  In public I know I wont be so lucky.   

I really do not like a soggy pouch. 

I swim at my local YMCA and I use the hot air blowers to dry the clothe on my pouch completely before I get dressed.  By now the other patrons are used to me standing next to the dryer and drying my pouch.  That said they do dry fairly quickly regardless.

At home I shower in the mornings after morning espresso but before I eat too much and always remove my pouch (not the appliance just pouch). 

When changing the appliance out once I have the appliance removed and the area around the stoma wiped down with adhesive remover I take a nice long hot shower and really make sure all the adhesive is off the area around the stoma.

cygo

 

cygo
Ileostomy


   
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VeganOstomy
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Posted by: @bigmike322

I have used Walmart flushable wipes to clean during a change ... Do the wipes cause adhesive issues of used during a straight up change with no bathing?  If not they could be good to have in my emergency kit. 

Generally speaking, traditional baby wipes shouldn't be used around the stoma, however, this can depend on the wipe.

The concern is that some wipes may have ingredients to help moisturize the skin, which could impact the adhesive. Scented wipes can cause irritation for some.

I use plain water, or at most, soap and water to clean the area around my stoma. In some cases, I will also use rubbing alcohol on a gauze pad to clean the skin, but this could create unwanted side effects (may dry the skin too much).

If the wipes have been working for you, I see no reason to stop using them.

 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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