Even though the stoma may appear sensitive or fragile, it is not. In fact, the bowel is an incredibly hardy organ. It has very little sensation because there are no nerve endings to the bowel. There is no special care for the stoma. Warm tap water and a soft cloth are all that is necessary.
You can shower or bathe with or without the appliance on. Water will not harm or enter the stoma. Many people find it quite convenient to remove the appliance and care for the stoma while showering (soap or shampoo will not be harmful) and reapply a new appliance once they have dried their skin.
Appliances There is a wide variety of ostomy appliances, or pouches, on the market. The majority are lightweight, odor-proof and disposable or reusable. The choice of appliance depends on personal preference.
An ostomy appliance is designed to be invisible under clothing and no one need know that you have an ostomy unless you choose to tell that person. When the appliance is secure on your abdomen, odor should not be a concern. Some people find that adding ostomy deodorant drops to the pouch minimizes or eliminates the odor of stool so that emptying or changing the appliance is less odorous.
