ileostomy and summer...

I have been through one summer with the ileo, so others are more experienced. I didn't have extra leaks, I just found that sometimes the wafer didn't last as long w/all the sweat. I use sureseals, and I had a little trouble with them sometimes when it was really hot and humid out --had some rashes under them, and would take a break for a bit. The wafer was fine, though.

I did go on vacation in July to Colorado, where it's really dry (from New England where it was really humid). The wafer lasted longer in Colorado -- so heat with humidity was more the issue, not just heat.

But there are people on this list who live in places where it's hot and humid much of the year....

I use something called "Pelican Ultra Barrier Cream", it has an anti-perspirant contained within it. Last Summer was my first with an ostomy, and I was also worried about sweating. Not sure if the cream made a difference or not, as I didn't attempt to go without it, if it ain't broke..............
I also "layer" a barrier wipe over the top after applying and drying the cream, this regimen definitely helps me to stay on top of skin soreness, especially as I was starting to suffer with skin excoriation.
My stoma nurse also told me you can use a roll on anti-perspirant before applying the bag, but I've never tried this, and am also dubious about it interfering with my other lotions and potions, as my current "recipe" works for me!

Silent Lucidity...where do you get that cream. I have never heard of it...but sounds exactly like what I might need. I never thought of using regular anti-perspirant...I might try that on one of my stay at home days.

Summerstorm...I hate when the fabric on my bag starts shredding and getting icky! It usually wears out before my seal does. I wear my waferl until it starts falling off! LOL The barrier rarely breaks, the wafer just starts coming off of me. I am afraid that is what will happen when I start sweating a lot.

This will be the 2nd summer for hubby...we live in Florida. He did not have any real differences last year during the higher temps and humidity months. He changes every Wed and Sun and his skin at the moment and has been in great shape. He could go longer I'm sure but this schedule just seems to be the right one for him and one that his skin seems to cooperate with. (Of course after 3 different systems on the 4th try we found the one that seems to be "THE" one and will continue with this unless he runs into some kind of problem down the road.)

I live in the tropics in Australia. I had an ileostomy for 10months last year. I found that my 2 piece system didn't stick for as long in the summer when it is really hot and humid here. I think the humidity was the problem. Make sure you really dry your skin before applying your products. I always carried extra products in my bag in case of leaks. But dont keep them in your car!! The sun and heat degrade them and they wont stick at all. I'm sure this is an obvious one but I tried to use the disabled toilets whenever I had to change my appliances when I was out because you have access to a sink and a bit more space.

Hope that helps the person wanting to know about ileostomies and summer.

Good luck!! Enjoy your summer

AllBetterNow, I'm sure you've already thought of this, but if you're going to try anti-perspirant, I'd get something hypo-allergenic and for sensitive skin. Definitely don't want a bad reaction down there of all places!

This will be my second summer with my ileostomy. Last year, I continued my physical activity regime throughout summer and still managed to have my same amount of wear time, very seldom it was shortened by a day. The sweat and 100 degree heat didn't faze it. I use Eakin Seals, have read here that the Sure Seals can cause a rash during the hot summer months because of the moisture, but definately try and see!

I also live in the tropics in Australia and have had my ileostomy for 3 years now and I have never had a problem with it during the hot months. I always have carried an emergency kit in my handbag in case I do need to change while I'm out but so far even in the middle of summer I haven't needed to. My wear time has never been as long as a lot of other people on here but thats nothing to do with it not sticking its more that I am paranoid of odors if I leave it on for any longer than 3 days. I also do lots of swimming in the summer time as I live right by the beach and even in the rough surf it holds well. So in my opinion you should be fine, just make sure when you change your appliance that your skin is dried well. All the best and enjoy summer
Doreen

I used to use a baby bib to help with keeping sweat away. One of those small ones with cloth on both sides. :)

My husband uses the Ostomy Secrets briefs that have the extra panel that the pouch sits in keeping it off the skin. Any method you can use be it a cloth cover or the baby bib idea would work too. With the high heat providing a cloth barrier between the pouch and your skin should really help a lot I would think.

One thing he has been using for over a year with great results is the skin protective barrier prep by Smith and Nephew that is in a pump non aerosol spray. He so much prefers that over the individual pads. One bottle lasts 3 months or more we find.

He dries the area really well covers the stoma with a small cap and sprays the surrounding wafer area. He dries it with a cool blow dryer setting then applys the wafer. He gets good perfomance with this product. He changes every Wed and Sun but knows he could go a week but just prefers this schedule as his skin seems to cooperate really well with this set up.

My ostomy nurse recommended Opsite "tape" several years ago based on a recommendation from a friend of hers who played tennis in hot/humid Florida! I've been using it ever since - winter and summer because I just feel more secure with it. I cut 4 lengths so that every side of the skin barrier is covered. It's been working for me so far!