Tips for minimising sweating under the bags

Hi RoseInTheSun 

Great to read that your husband is doing so well. Not the same surgery as me but from what I've read it seems pretty major so he's got a great attitude.

With regards to the sweating my stoma nurse told me that one of the suppliers had said that non-scented roll on anti perspirant (not deodorant) was a handy thing to use if the pouches weren't sticking in hot weather (Mum do one). It needed to be roll on rather than spray and non scented (because its close to the stoma).  I haven't tried it but I think the trick is to apply it, let it dry and then fix the pouch. It helps with adhesion apparently. Not sure if this is the problem you're husband is having or if it's that he's sweating underneath the pouch but I'd imagine that the same trick might help on the area surrounding the pouch too. I can't help with the hernia belt I'm afraid as I don't use one. I think it's easier for us ladies as we can use support pants instead. It's a pity that they don't do something similar for men.

Hopefully this helps a bit but I'm sure that others will be along soon with more ideas. X

Thanks for the tip! I will get some of the antiperspirant and see how it goes.

generally he’s fine with the bags day to day - he’s stolen some of my strappy vest tops and repurposed them by folding them down into a wrap to smooth down the edges of the bags (going to buy some cheapy boob tubes instead so I can reclaim my clothes!) Itakes just for exercise he wants the belt. He was never one for the gym but got really into it when he was prepping for surgery and is keen to get back. Very small in the grand scheme of things…I was expecting a much slower recovery for him! 

It sounds like you're husband is doing great! 

I use a hernia support belt with holes to pull the bags through. Because the belt is now between the bag and the skin, it absorbs any sweat. Very helpful but possibly still too early for him. 

You might also try a bag cover. I got some cute ones off Etsy and they were very affordable. These provide no support and are intended to be cosmetic. But again, there is fabric between the bag and the skin which should help absorb sweat.  

I find that there are sometimes sensations from urine running down inside the bag that also make me fear a leak. That sensation combined with wetness from sweat would have me jumping out of my skin. 

Hi Rose in the Sun,

My best tip (got from another site) is to use a new baby bib with a press stud closing, under the bag.  I find it keeps the bag away from my skin and almost completely stops the sweating. Also can just be tossed in the washing machine.  I purchased mine from Tesco.

Thanks Susan, I think the belt you’ve mentioned is the one they’re planning to give him once everything has settled. Good shout on the covers, do you also need to wait until you have settled on a bag before you order? He’s still trialling different products at the moment, particularly with the urostomy as may need a convex bag. 

What a great idea! I shall get him some. Thanks for the tip 

This wont work for everyone but I find if I wear cotton briefs tucked under the bag then the fuller more supportive sloggi style over the top it helps with any sweating It.also keeps everything nice and flat and tucked away.

Kath

 Katz51  Me too. More to mitigate a leak rather than sweating. Cheap black ones underneath with sloggi or M&S on top. The cheap ones can wash with less chance of staining or, worst case, just throw them away. And it feels really secure.

I thought I'd responded to you but can't see it so maybe was on another thread. Have a look for men's stoma pants vanilla blush, white rose are suppliers I know. M & S may start supplier of men'pants too, their women's are great, cheap, supportive and a wide waistband to stop too much pressure.

Womens pants have an inside pocket that helps hold bags (can take 2) and I think the mens' do too. In this heat urine comes out hot and stays warm which isn't very nice on your skin through the bag. 

If he's a gym user he could try building up his core - get a trainer to help - and that should help with hernias (see also Urostomy Association website re exercising with a stoma- there's a great video there.

Thick heavily elasticated belts can be very hot in this weather and don't  encourage your muscles to strengthen. I use a thin bag belt to keep the bag tight (ish) against my stomach. That works well &  also I hold the bag onto the skin for a while - that usually works very well to stop leaks for me (I only have a urostomy) the key is to make sure the adhesive is fully activated before leaving go. I do it for 2 minutes (stoma nurses have warmer hands and only dab it on).

Also press hard around the hole for the stoma as urine may slide down behind it if not - terrible for leaks. And check hole size regularly since they change a lot at first.

Hope some of this helps.

Latestart

No need to wait on covers, an approximate bag size is all you need. The stoma size doesn't matter.