Call: Summer Tips for Sweating and Swimming with an Ostomy
You want to spend a day at the pool or go to a summer cookout and have fun, not worry the whole time about how well your ostomy pouch will hold up in water or the summer heat. But it's completely normal to have questions before you leave home. Will the seal stay secure? What should you wear? Could sweating cause leakage?
The good news is that having an ostomy doesn’t have to keep you from swimming or enjoying time outdoors. A few simple preparations can help you feel more comfortable and ready for the day ahead.
Tips for Swimming & Sweating With an Ostomy
A little planning can go a long way when you’re heading to the pool or spending time outside in the heat. Before you go, check that your pouching system feels secure and pack a few extra supplies, just in case.
1. Check Your Seal
Take a quick look around the edges of your skin barrier before swimming or heading out for the day. If you notice any lifting or loose areas, it may be time for a change.
After applying a new pouching system, give the adhesive time to form a good seal before getting into the water. The instructions that come with your ostomy products can help you know what’s recommended for your specific ostomy supplies.
2. Empty Your Pouch and Protect the Filter
Emptying your pouch before getting into the water can help it feel lighter and more comfortable beneath your swimsuit.
If your pouch has a filter, check the product instructions to see whether it should be covered while swimming. Some pouches come with filter stickers made for this purpose.
3. Add Support Around the Skin Barrier If You Need It
If swimming, sweating, or movement tends to cause lifting around the edges of your skin barrier, barrier strips may offer a little extra support.
Convatec ESENTA™ Hydrocolloid Strips fit around the outside edges of the skin barrier to help hold it in place. The strips are thin, flexible, and water-resistant, so they can be worn while swimming or bathing.
If lifting keeps happening, your healthcare provider or an ostomy nurse can help you decide whether an accessory or another solution could help.
4. Wear What Makes You Feel Comfortable
You don’t need special swimwear just because you have an ostomy. Some people feel fine in their usual swimsuit, while others might prefer high-waisted swim trunks, a one-piece, a tankini, a swim shirt, a wrap, or a support band.
Ostomysecrets.com offers ostomy wraps in various colors to go beneath your swimsuit for comfortable support for your ostomy pouch. They offer specialized swimwear, too.
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5. Take Care of Your Peristomal Skin and Watch For Irritation
When it’s time for a change, clean and dry the skin around your stoma before applying a new skin barrier.
Try to keep sunscreen, lotion, and oils away from the skin beneath the barrier, since that may make it harder for the adhesive to stick.
Take a look at the skin around your stoma whenever you change your pouching system. If you notice peristomal skin irritation, such as ongoing redness, burning, broken skin, a rash, or another unusual change, reach out to an ostomy nurse or your healthcare provider.
Summer heat may make irritation more noticeable, but recurring discomfort can also point to leakage, fit concerns, or sensitivity to a product.
6. Pack Extra Supplies
Bring an extra pouching system and the accessories you normally use, even if you probably won’t need them. A small backup kit can make it easier to relax and enjoy the day without wondering what you’ll do if your seal loosens.
Keep those supplies somewhere cool and dry. A hot car or direct sunlight isn’t a good storage spot for ostomy products.
Ostomy Supplies for Summer Activities
If heat, sweat, or time in the water affects your usual routine, 180 Medical can help you understand your insurance-covered ostomy product options that may help provide additional support.
Depending on your individual needs, options may include barrier strips, stoma paste, moldable skin barriers, or pouching systems.
The Right Ostomy Supplies Can Make a Difference
Get help exploring covered ostomy pouching systems and accessories with free samples of eligible products and caring support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swimming or Sweating With an Ostomy
Can you swim with an ostomy?
Yes. Once you’ve healed from surgery and your healthcare provider has cleared you for activity, you can swim while wearing your ostomy pouching system. Today’s pouching systems are water-resistant, so you can enjoy the pool, lake, or ocean without removing your pouch.
Before getting in, take a moment to check that your skin barrier feels secure. Emptying your pouch first may also help you feel more comfortable in the water.
Can an ostomy pouch get wet?
Yes. Your ostomy pouch can get wet in the shower, bath, or while swimming. Afterward, gently pat the pouch and skin barrier dry with a towel. If your pouch has a filter, check the product instructions to see whether it should be covered before getting wet.
What should I wear while swimming with an ostomy?
Whatever makes you feel comfortable. Some people wear their usual swimsuit, while others prefer a tankini, high-waisted bottoms, a swim shirt, a wrap, or a support band. You don’t have to hide your pouch unless that helps you feel more at ease.
Can heat and sweat affect an ostomy seal?
Hot weather and extra perspiration may change how your pouching system wears. Check around the edges of your skin barrier if something feels different or you notice lifting. If this keeps happening, an ostomy nurse can help you assess the fit of your system and whether an accessory may provide additional support.
Should I bring extra ostomy supplies to the pool or beach?
It’s always a good idea to bring an extra pouching system and the accessories you normally use. Keep everything in a cool, dry place rather than leaving supplies in a hot car or in direct sunlight.
Disclaimer: Content provided on 180medical.com is for general educational/informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Product and sample availability may vary based on your insurance plan, prescription, and other requirements. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your condition, treatment, or medical supply needs.
Jessica is the Senior Marketing Specialist at 180 Medical, where she's spent the past 17 years blending creativity with a passion for helping others. When she's not working, she's usually with her husband and their dogs, browsing garden centers for "just one more" plant, or getting lost in her favorite video games.
