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OUT & ABOUT
Most ostomates will experience a leakage at one time or another. Therefore, it can
be very helpful to have some appliances and accessories to hand in a small travel
kit, which could be kept in a desk, drawer, locker, etc., or carried discreetly in
a coat pocket, handbag, etc. The travel kit could be a specially designed one, e.g.
Karicool by OstoMART, which repels heat, or it could be a small cosmetic-
From time to time, check this travel kit to ensure that the adhesive still looks fine, and that it has not melted.
It is always handy to carry some wet cleansing wipes or extra tissues for use in public toilets, or to clean up any accidental mess.
Some of the items, which are useful to carry in a travel kit, are:
TRAVEL KITS
● Replacement flanges and pouches.
● Relevant accessories, e.g. barrier cream, stoma paste, etc.
● Disposal bags and dry wipes.
● Wet wipes, in case of being in a toilet with no washing facilities.
● Scissors (except when flying).
● Clothes peg.
● RADAR key.
● RADAR toilet key.
Should an ostomate wish to go swimming, this should not prove a problem. All stoma
appliances are designed to stay on when in contact with water. However, for added
security, it is advisable to allow some time after changing a flange before swimming
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Obviously, prior to swimming, make sure that the appliance is emptied completely.
You do not need to wear a special appliance, but some ostomates find it more discreet,
when swimming, to wear a smaller capacity stoma pouch under a swimming costume or
trunks. These mini, non-
Some ostomates feel more secure if a flange is ‘picture framed’ by using waterproof tape or a product such as HydroFrame, a flange extender. ‘Picture framing’ is when tape is placed around all four sides of the flange, i.e. as if the flange is being put in a picture frame.
Frequent dips in the water and hot weather may affect the adhesion of the appliance, making it necessary to change more frequently than normal, so ensure that extra supplies are carried. Also, some ostomates find that the adhesive can become ‘tacky’, and when the flange is removed, it leaves a residual adhesive on the skin. If the skin and pouch are allowed to dry properly, the adhesive should return to normal.
Swimwear itself can be a problem, but there are some companies, who make specialised
swimwear, which will cover the appliance. Costumes with bold, patterned fabrics
may help to conceal bulges or the outline of the appliance. Solid, plain colours
can reveal an appliance. A swimsuit with a good lining or with double-
SWIMMING
A toilet card (sometimes called a ‘no waiting card’ or ‘just can’t wait card’) is
a credit-
Should there be an emergency, this card can also prove useful as a discreet way of requesting the use of toilet facilities, e.g. shopping centres, retail outlets, restaurants, etc., where there are no public facilities available. There is no guarantee that the person will allow the use of a private toilet, but they are more likely to consider and understand the nature of the request, if a toilet card is shown.
There are various companies who issue these cards, free of charge. For more information or to obtain a toilet card, contact:
Pelican Healthcare offer toilet cards to patients, who are registered with their home delivery service.
TOILET CARDS
All ostomates are entitled to use accessible/disabled toilets. The blue symbol on the door is the international symbol for disability, and it does not mean that the facility is for wheelchair users only. These toilets give more privacy and have private washbasin facilities, normally with hot and cold water supplies. Other benefits of accessible toilets are that these toilets are not as cramped as standard ones, and normally they have a waste bin suitable for the disposal of used appliances.
If there is an opportunity to use toilet facilities, do so, even if there is very little to empty in the pouch. It is sometimes an unknown factor when there may be another chance.
In some accessible toilets, the lights are often on timers. This can be very inconvenient, and some ostomates have overcome this problem, by carrying a small, headband torch with them. These headband torches can be obtained from climbing, camping or walking specialists, or a search can be made online using the word ‘headband torch’.
As well as accessible toilets, the National Key Scheme, exclusive to the UK, offers independent access
for people with disabilities to around 7,000 locked, specially adapted public toilets across the country. This ensures that people who need the use of a toilet can find a suitable and accessible one in good, clean condition. These toilets show the RADAR name, and are unlocked with a special key to avoid vandalism. All ostomates are eligible for this key, which can be obtained from RADAR.
RADAR also publishes a printed guide, which lists all the National Key Scheme toilets throughout the UK.
The RADAR key is also available from some local social services and council offices, tourist information
offices, Age UK and the Colostomy Association.
There are various other ways of locating toilets and accessible toilets throughout the UK.
The website, www.needaloo.org is an online UK location finder of publicly-
For Blackberry handset users, there is a very useful free App, for finding the nearest,
public toilet -
For Apple iPhone users, there are some free apps, for finding the nearest, public
toilet -
TOILETS
SitOrSquat
ToiletFinder
When shopping, care should be taken not to lift heavy items or to push an overloaded shopping trolley, so as not to put extra pressure on the pelvic area. If an item is heavy or awkward, ask for assistance. Care should also be taken when reaching for items on high shelves, so as not to overstretch the pelvic area.
If there are going to be large crowds at the shops, many ostomates feel more confident when they wear a stoma protector, e.g. OstoSHIELD.
SHOPPING
Many ostomates wonder if they will be able to participate in sport. If the surgery
was very recent, at first, it is best to avoid any form of strenuous exercise or
sports. Once a patient is fully recovered from an operation, and as long as a surgeon
or doctor gives the go-
It is advisable to take things easy at first, and to gradually build up strength and fitness to more aggressive exercise or sports, as and when able. Gentle walking and swimming are a good starting point. Just take one’s time. Listen to the body, and rest if tiredness is felt.
Contact or adventurous sports do not have to be avoided, but care needs to be taken about the type and degree of such a sport. For a contact sport, e.g. rugby, it may be wise to wear a guard over the stoma, such as OstoSHIELD, which is held in place by an elasticated belt. This protector is available from OstoMART.
However, it is important to be wary of some sports, e.g. weight lifting, kickboxing, etc. so as to avoid a prolapsed stoma or parastomal hernia.
In addition, some ostomates prefer a smaller capacity pouch when they are participating in sports, and some prefer to wear a belt.
Many ostomates exercise and play sport on a regular basis. However, if there is any uncertainty about anything, follow the recommendations of your doctor or nurse.
SPORT
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