Regardless of the type of ostomy you have, some simple daily activities, such as taking a shower, suddenly become very complex. If you have recently had ostomy surgery, this situation may be complicated for you, and you may not know quite how to handle it.
If, on the other hand, you have had an ostomy for quite some time and continue to experience difficulty when taking a shower, you are probably wondering, “but where am I going wrong?“.
Some times, you just want to take a shower without a collection system, to relive a bit of normalcy and enjoy the moment, free from all thoughts. But, deep down, you know that unforeseen contingencies may arise when you shower unattended.
For example, you have just finished taking a shower and a spill occurs that forces you to clean up; or worse, imagine if this spill occurs while you are taking a relaxing bath…
But even when you shower with the ostomy bag, how can you make sure nothing goes wrong?
There are many concerns, but the answer to these questions is simple: don’t worry! There are several ways to take a worry-free shower-with and without a bag-and you will discover them all as you continue reading this article.
In addition to 10 useful tips from experts on showering and bathing, we will explain in detail, in which situations it is best to shower with or without a presidium.
You can safely shower without an ostomy bag. 39%* of ostomates like to shower without an ostomy bag. However, use the pouch while showering if you have had surgery recently or happen to have frequent evacuations.
Remember that a proper hygiene routine will help you have healthy perstomal skin, if you want to learn more take a look at this article.
This survey was conducted in April 2021 and was answered by 39 people of different nationalities. The survey was posted in the following stoma-specific Facebook groups:
The 4 best times to take a shower WITHOUT an ostomy bag
From time to time, it is a pure pleasure to feel the warm water running down the skin around your stoma.
However, for most ostomate patients, the idea of showering without a bag is scary and many think it is even impossible.
Nevertheless, in some circumstances, it is perfectly possible to take a shower without the device.
Below we list the 4 occasions when it is preferable to shower without the collection system:
- Every time you change your garrison
- If your evacuations are fairly regular
- If you do not have the ability to dry or cover your device.
- If your stoma is located in a place where plaque comes off easily (e.g., skin folds)
These are the 4 best opportunities to shower without medical supervision. Below, we will explain in detail what to do for a pleasant and worry-free experience:
1. Every time you change your garrison
Has the time come to change your collection system? Is the peristomal skin starting to itch and have you decided to change your plaque?
This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a shower (or bath) without a bag!
In fact, you won’t have to worry about protecting the bag or drying it at the end of the shower.
2. If your evacuations are regular enough.
If your ostomy is 
timely enough, you will know when is the best time to shower without worry. However, in general, a bagless shower is best done in the morning before you have your coffee, or at the end of the day after you have well digested your last meal. Follow these tips even in case you have decided to take a bath because you don’t want to see the water in the tub change color.
In case of a sudden evacuation during your shower, don’t worry! It goes straight down the drain without causing any problems, and at the end of the shower you can disinfect it.
4. If your stoma is located in a place where plaque easily comes off (e.g., because of skin folds)
In special cases where your device does not adhere properly to the peristomal skin, it will make no difference to shower with or without a garment, as it will most likely come off. So you might as well remove the bag and plaque and enjoy your shower!
4 instances when we recommend that you shower WITH your ostomy bag
Although it feels good to shower without a collection system, there are some times when it is better to shower with a bag.
These are the cases when you should shower with the bag:
- If you have recently undergone ostomy surgery.
- In case of frequent evacuations
- If you have a skin irritation or wounds that need more time to heal
- If you want to take a quick shower
These are the 4 cases in which we recommend that you shower with an ostomy bag. Below, we will explain in detail how to do this:
1. If you have recently undergone ostomy surgery.
If you are still in the midst of 
healing, do not remove the ostomy bag when you shower. Ask your stomatherapist when is the right time to start showering even without the ostomy bag.
It usually takes a few days before surgical wounds are healed enough to shower, or bathe, without worry.
If you suffer from frequent evacuations and anticipate that showering without a bag might be very uncomfortable, then we recommend showering with the presidio. It is for this reason that 72% of ileostomy patients always shower with the bag. 3. If you have skin irritation or wounds that need longer healing time
If your peristomal skin is irritated, or you have any wounds, it is best to cover the stoma and then shower with the collection system.
If you don’t know how to differentiate healthy skin from irritated skin, we suggest you take a look at this article, to learn how to recognize and manage possible skin irritation around the stoma.
4. If you want to take a quick shower.
In this case, you might simply consider showering with the collection system. Usually you just need to dry the bag thoroughly with a paper towel or hair dryer, and you’re done!
And one more thing:
A recurring question when showering with the collection system is, “How can I protect my collection system and prevent shower water from interfering with the adhesive power of my plaque?”
If you’re also wondering how to solve this problem, check out this article and find out which solutions are most appropriate.
Now that you are aware of the 4 best ways to shower with and without an ostomy bag, it is time to reveal the 10 key tips for showering with total peace of mind.
10 useful tips for a relaxing shower with ostomy:
These 10 tips are the result of a long survey. We asked a large number of ostomates to tell us their secrets to taking a worry-free shower or bath. Read these tips and revolutionize your showering experience
Here is a summary of the 10 tips:
- A hand shower with a hose makes it a lot easier for you
- For added safety, use a small shower chair.
- Empty the collection system before taking a shower
- Cover the bag filter
- Use pH-neutral, mineral oil-free detergents to wash hair and body
- Use specific products with self-balancing pH for peristomal skin hygiene
- Keep a paper towel or gauze pads handy.
- Be prepared for every eventuality when bathing
- Make sure you have everything you’ll need after your shower
- Carefully dry the peristomal skin before applying the new garment
- A hand shower with a hose will allow you to wash thoroughly and easily around your ostomy. With this device, you will be able to control the angle and pressure of the water and thus avoid possible mishaps. You will also be able to rinse the peristomal skin more easily, preventing shampoo, or other body cleansing products from coming into contact with the pouch, or ostomy adhesive plate.
This is important to ensure that the adhesive works properly.
- A small shower chair is the ideal solution for feeling safe and comfortable in the shower. It is a great aid and support if you feel dizzy, or if you need a foothold to settle your bag cover.
- Empty the collection system before taking a shower. This way you can enjoy a relaxing, worry-free shower.
- In case you decide to shower with a garrison that has a filter, cover it with a sticker (which will be provided with the bags). A wet filter could impede the escape of air causing the bag to bulge until it comes off.
- Use pH-neutral, mineral oil-free detergents to wash hair and body. Other cleansers may cause skin irritation or prevent plaque from adhering well.
For proper hygiene of your peristomal skin, use a specific cleanser with a self-balancing pH. It is essential to use cleansers that do not irritate the skin and allow firm plaque adhesion. This specific stoma cleanser was created for precisely these reasons: for perfect, natural stoma hygiene, to prevent skin changes, and to ensure proper adhesion of the adhesive barrier. Commercial cleansers, on the other hand, can cause serious problems to the peristomal skin and collection systems.
The wrong choice of cleanser for the peristomal skin is often a source of irritation and sometimes even more serious complications. To help you prevent this problem-in collaboration with experienced stomatherapists-we have created a guide for daily stoma care and hygiene.
See this article to better manage your peristomal skin and prevent possible irritation.
- In the unfortunate event that sudden stool evacuations occur, keep a paper towel or gauze pads handy to quickly remove any leaks.
- Bathing with an ostomy: Now that you have a stoma, you can still enjoy a nice warm bath. You must are take a few extra precautions.
First, keep a bottle of water handy in case of dehydration. Second, put a washcloth on the stoma to avoid nasty surprises. For people with anileostomy, you may want to bathe with the bag or remove it only for the last two minutes. Finally, remember to empty the bag and release the gas before entering the water. Otherwise, the bag may float.
- Make sure you have everything you’ll need after your shower: set up a new collection system and remember to keep paper towels handy for thorough drying of the peristomal skin. Many ostomy patients also use protective creams as part of their daily routine.
- Make sure your peristomal skin is completely dry before applying the new collection system.
Having trouble getting your garment to adhere well to the skin? Take a look at these tips for a proper peristomal skin hygiene routine and find out how to make your garment adhere, just as if you were using glue attack(of course, you can take it off whenever you want!).
There, now you are ready for a relaxing and worry-free shower.
Remember: pay attention to your body’s signals and adopt the hygiene routine that works best for you. Don’t be afraid to try different methods; your personal preferences are likely to change from time to time.
Can I take a shower with a colostomy bag?
Taking a shower or bath does not damage the colostomy bag. The bags are waterproof, and steam and moisture are not a danger to the adhesive plate, in fact they help the adhesive stick even better.
Can I take a shower without a colostomy bag?
You can shower without a colostomy bag with total peace of mind. Water will not harm your ostomy.
38% of colostomy patients prefer to shower without a bag every day, and 23% shower without a bag 3-4 times a week.
However, avoid showering without a bag if you have recently had surgery, if your surgical wounds have yet to heal, or if you suffer from frequent and sudden evacuations.
Can you take a shower with an ileostomy bag?
Yes, people with ileostomies are often advised to shower or bathe with the ostomy bag because of frequent evacuations.
Can I take a shower without an ileostomy bag?
You can shower without an ileostomy bag. However, 72% of people with ileostomy prefer to shower with the bag because of frequent evacuations.
How to shower with an ostomy bag?
1: Make sure you have everything you will need during and at the end of your shower:
(Self-balancing pH and oil-free cleaning products, paper towels, a new bag and plaque (if you want to change them), a towel or hair dryer for drying, etc.).
2: Empty the bag before entering the shower
3: Option 1) Take a shower without a device
Option 2) Shower with the bag and cover the filter (in case your bag has a filter)
Option 3) Cover the bag and take a shower with it
4: Get in the shower
5: Take your usual shower routine and, if you are bagless, cleanse your stoma with a specific cleanser with self-balancing pH
6: After showering, dry the skin or appliance thoroughly with a towel or hair dryer
7: If you took a shower without the collection system, it’s time to put it back on
Can I take a shower with a tracheostomy?
People with a tracheostomy should avoid getting water into the trachea. Use a cover to put over the tracheostomy that allows you to breathe, however. A shower hose is especially helpful. Alternatively, you can simply have your back to the shower spray.
Can I take a shower with a gastrostomy?
It is recommended that you do not shower or bathe in the tub in the first 48 hours after surgery. During the first 4-6 weeks, make sure that shower water does not run directly over the tube. Likewise, if you decide to take a bath in the tub, be careful not to submerge the tube. After this period, you can return to showering as usual.
Can I shower without a pouch with a parastomal hernia or prolapsed stoma?
If you have a parastomal hernia or prolapsed stoma, ask your stomatherapist if you can shower without a pouch. If there are no open wounds or dressings that need to be covered, you should be able to shower without the pouch. Be sure to use only products specifically for peristomal skin hygiene that have a self-balancing pH.
How do you dry a colostomy bag in the shower?
Use a soft paper towel that absorbs the water very well. If the ostomy bag is still wet, use a hair dryer to dry the rest. We recommend that you do this with cold air.
Does hot or cold water temperature damage my ostomy?
As long as it makes you feel good, hot or cold water will not harm your ostomy.
Is it okay to rinse the colostomy bag with water?
Many ostomates like to rinse the pouch after emptying it. This process becomes especially easy in the shower if you have a shower with a hose. Gently, let some clean water run inside the pouch and pour it straight down the drain. Just make sure you empty the bag properly before entering the shower.
How can I protect my ostomy bag in the shower?
If you want to cover your ostomy bag in the shower, you can buy a cover for your bag or use a do-it-yourself version. We have the best solutions summarized in this article, click here to learn more.
Can I take a bath with an ostomy bag?
Yes, you can bathe with your ostomy bag. Just remember to empty the bag before entering the tub and use cleansers with self-balancing pH for proper hygiene.
Can I take a bath without an ostomy bag?
Yes, you can bathe without your ostomy bag. However, avoid cleansers that are not suitable for peristomal skin and that contain oils. These, may release a thin coating of oil on your skin and prevent perfect plaque adhesion. However, In case of frequent evacuations, we recommend that you bathe with your pouch.
Can I get into a hot tub with my ostomy bag?
With an ostomy you can do all the activities you were already doing before surgery, you just have to pay extra attention.
Taking a bath in a hot tub is perfectly fine. Be sure to empty the bag and cover the filter with a sticker to prevent water from getting inside the bag. If you are worried about losing the plate or bag, you can secure them with extra adhesive strips.