A stoma is not an obstacle to you, nor should it restrict you in your travels.
KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
OSTOMY CARE
TRAVELLING WITH OSTOMY
A stoma is not an obstacle to you, nor should it restrict you in your travels. However, since you are now using an ostomy system, you will still have to take into account some new aspects of travel which are described in this article.
PREPARATION OF OSTOMY SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES BEFORE TRAVELLING
Wherever you travel, you should make sure that you always have a sufficient amount of ostomy systems and other appliances you use. To make sure you brought everything you need, make your checklist for traveling with a stoma and prepare everything you need on time.
This list will typically include an ostomy system, base plates, adhesive remover spray and other ostomy appliances. However, it may also include things such as a shaver if you use it for the peristomal area.
It is also advisable to take more appliances with you than you need for the same period at home. This way you will be set for unpredictable situations.
OSTOMY APPLIANCES AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS
The specific climate can influence the way you use your ostomy systems, and sometimes you may need to change them more frequently, for example in places with a warmer climate. This is one of the reasons why it is important that you have a larger number of appliances when traveling.
In addition, it is advisable to keep ostomy appliances at room temperature and not to expose them to direct sunlight.
OSTOMY AND AIR TRAVEL
If you are travelling by plane, it is safest thing to have supplies of ostomy appliances in your hand luggage, which is always available to you and for which there is no risk of being lost. Be sure to keep at least a part of your stock in your hand luggage. In case you use cut-to fit base plates, you will probably not be able to carry stoma scissors in the hand luggage with you. Therefore, it is good to cut the base plates in advance, and then store the scissors in the checked luggage.
OSTOMY IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
When traveling to foreign countries, it is good to prepare the key information related to ostomy in the language of the country you are visiting in advance. As many people may not be familiar with ostomy, this will make it easier for you to communicate and talk about your stoma — for example, with airport staff.
For help you can use the multilingual ‘ostomy dictionary’, which can be found on the website of the European Association of Ostomy.
Also, prepare any medical documentation that you think you may need when travelling.
CONCLUSION
To sum up, with good preparation and planning you can freely travel with a stoma. It is also important that you take sufficient time for an adequate preparation and planning before you travel. In this way, you will be ready for unpredictable situations and travel with confidence.
