Navigating summer with a stoma can sometimes be tricky in terms of staying hydrated or finding clothing, especially if you are going on holiday and debating on whether to wear the bikini or shorts with no top (for the men), and finally keeping up your exercise routine in the heat can be struggle.
When it comes to hydration, I always have to up my electrolytes as the weather gets warmer. Having an ileostomy puts you at high risk of dehydration. This can affect us on a normal day so adding the heat on top of this can be detrimental. Adding exercise on top of this and also some medications can increase your risk further of getting dehydrated and could have consequences if you are not aware of your hydration; I would advise that you up your electrolytes by adding Dioralyte or something similar. Remember if you’re feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated so try not let it get this far and stay on top of it beforehand.
When exercising in the warmer weather make sure to find a well-ventilated room and if you are out and about, walking or running, carry hydration gels and avoid peak times in the heat.
Clothing for me was something I worried about at the beginning when I only had my stoma bag. In the winter you can easily cover your stoma, if that’s what you wanted, but in the summer you’re more exposed as it’s lighter clothing and if you’re on holidays, again it’s the whole situation on whether to hide your stoma or wear your bikini. This is such a personal choice and I always say just do what you feel comfortable doing. Don’t do something because you see someone else doing it and feel like you need to. Wearing the bikini can be so liberating but also scary.
On holidays or in the better weather, I always opt for loose clothing. Sometimes you can sweat where the stoma bag lies against the skin and I’ve found talc powder can really help with this. As a result, sometimes the skin can break down so a barrier film is always good to have at hand to prevent this. High-waisted bikinis are always a good shout if you don’t want to wear a swim suit or sarongs can work well too.
I find in the summer I tend to do more bag changes as we naturally sweat more or if you are on holidays and are in and out of the pool. So be prepared when ordering supplies as you may need more than usual.
Try not to overthink it too much. You will find what works for you but preparation is key when it comes hydration and travelling. Finding clothing that you feel comfortable in will make a big difference to how you feel on holiday. Try not to be harsh on yourself when it comes to your body to be honest no one cares what you look like you are your biggest critic!
