Keeping the skin around your stoma (peristomal skin) healthy is important. You can steer clear of many complications by following these simple suggestions:

Bath and shower tips:

• You can bath or shower with or without wearing your pouching system

• If you're showering without your pouch, remove the base plate too. Make sure you skin is completely dry before applying a new base plate and pouch

• If you're showering with your pouch system, check your pouch seal. Before getting in the bath or shower, make sure your seal is secure

• Avoid oil-based and moisturising soaps. The residue on the soap can cause your base plate to lift or make it difficult to adhere

• If possible, bath or shower at a time when your stoma is less active

• If using a pouch with a filter, cover the filter with a sticker before bathing

Choose a well-fitted ostomy barrier:

• Choosing a base plate that fits properly around your stoma is important to keeping skin healthy. This will help prevent contents from your stoma meeting and irritating the skin.
• Your Stomal Therapy Nurse (STN) can teach you how to determine the size of your stoma, and advise on which type of base plate is best for you
• The size of your stoma will change up to 10 weeks after surgery, so ensure you measure it periodically
• Changes to the abdomen as a result of weight gain/loss, exercise, pregnancy or medical conditions, may require you to change your pouching system

Changing your pouching system:

• Create a schedule for your pouching system. This will ensure your base plate is changed before the adhesive has worn, and reducing chances of urine and faecal leakage.
• Personalise your schedule based on your pouching system and on advice given by your STN
• At each change, check the skin around your stoma for abnormalities, including swelling, redness and other signs of irritation. Notify your STN of any issues or concerns.
• Remove your base plate gently by beginning with one corner and slowly removing the rest of the adhesive. Never rip or tear your base plate off.

• Try our Niltac™ adhesive remover sprays and wipes to make removal easier

• Ensure the skin around your stoma is completely dry before applying a new base plate. This will help with adhesion and will reduce the risk of infection

• Try our Silesse™ skin barrier sprays and wipes to protect the skin, whilst keeping it healthy and comfortable

• In hot and humid locations, consider using a pouch with a fabric backing. This will keep the pouch from sticking to your skin and causing skin irritation

Quick Reference Do's and Dont's