With winter out of the way, spring is finally here – and summer won’t be far behind. Factor in COVID restrictions lifting and a degree of normality returning, and it looks like the warmer months are set to be well-stocked with plenty of outdoor events.

Exciting right? Absolutely, especially after we’ve all spent the last two years practically indoors. And while having fun in the sun can only be a good thing, warm weather might pose a challenge or two as an ostomate.

Whether you’re heading to a football match, watching your favourite band outside, or attending a music festival for a few days, being prepared is essential. Here, we’ll walk you through how to get ready for outdoor events so you can enjoy them without having to worry about a thing.

Plan out your day

As an ostomate, you’ll be used to planning out your day to make things go as smoothly as possible, so this practically goes without saying. Nevertheless, wherever it is you’re going, a bit of research in advance always comes in handy.

For starters, it’s a good idea to scope out whether there are any arrangements at your destination or venue that can help those with your requirements. You might also need to apply for access to this assistance in advance. Make sure to have a browse online beforehand so you don’t run into any obstacles on the day. This also comes in handy if you need to know where the toilets are ahead of time.

When you reach the event, you might want to use the disabled entrance too if comfort and discretion are what you’re after – especially when it comes to bag searches at things like concerts and festivals.

Staying hydrated

With any luck, your day out will be blessed with sunny weather and warm temperatures (something the Great British Summer still isn’t used to). If so, drinking plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated is vital. Water-rich foods like watermelon, grapes and mangoes will also do the trick – plus they’re always a tasty treat to keep on hand.

Drinking fluids that contain electrolytes is an even better option. Water on its own washes away essential salts and flushes straight through your system quickly without absorbing enough before it exits into your bag. This can cause a high, watery output which dehydrates you quicker. Drinking fluids with electrolytes (whether that’s sports drinks, Pedialyte, coconut water or vegetable juices) helps to balance the amount of water in your body. This is especially important for ileostomates who may struggle to stay hydrated. Just be sure to go for something that’s low in sugar content.

Keeping sweat in check

Unfortunately, that same warm weather is going to cause you to sweat more than usual too. This can be a worry for ostomates, who might find themselves changing their appliances more frequently than they may need to.

The good news is that many stoma products these days tend to feature water-resistant adhesive that stays sealed to the skin for a few days at a time. In fact, most stoma companies have a range of extended-wear products such as skin barriers designed to avoid appliances from coming loose.

Take our Genii Flange Extenders, these handy essentials are designed to go around the flange to provide a soft, flexible, invisible border which conforms to your body shape. Great at providing extra security in warmer weather.

Don’t forget to take a break from the sun and seek out some shade throughout the day too. This will also help keep dehydration to a minimum.

Taking care of your skin

If you do find yourself changing your pouch multiple times throughout the day, and your skin is red or chafed, then something to keep the soreness at bay will definitely be worth purchasing ahead of time. Our Silken Stoma Paste makes a brilliant addition to your daily stoma care routine, supporting the skin’s natural barrier function and reducing irritation around your stoma.

Watch what you eat

At outdoor events, the food on offer tends to be on the fried side of things. All that greasy food can wreak havoc on your stoma and may cause ballooning – especially when combined with fizzy drinks and beer. Not what you want when you’re trying to enjoy yourself.

Instead, try carrying high-energy snacks that are easy to digest, and try to take it easy on the alcohol. Depending on how long you’ve had your stoma, you’ll know which foods you can deal with, and which you can avoid. Some people swear by meal-replacement or protein bars as a way of keeping their energy levels up – plus they’re small enough to carry with you. Perfect for when you need a quick pick me up that won’t affect you too much.

Take extra supplies

Of course, when the weather’s nice, there’s a chance you’ll be outside longer than usual. That means you might need to bring extra supplies with you just to be on the safer side. Be sure to keep your extra pouches, as well as anything like barrier creams, powders, and seals, in a handy bag or backpack so everything’s in one place at the same time.

As well as the convenience factor, make sure to avoid exposing them to heat for too long. Leaving them in a car on a hot day is guaranteed to affect their performance. You don’t want to return to a hot car to find that your extra supplies are rendered ineffective due to the warm weather!

If you’re camping at a multi-day festival, then you’ll want to prevent overnight leaks through the night too. Our Pearls Gelling and Odour Control Sachets can help with that. As well as controlling odours, these amazing gelling crystals can absorb excess fluid, creating a gel-like output that prevents bulking and leaking during the night.

At Trio, we’re dedicated to letting you live your life your way: comfortably, safely, and worry-free. To check out our essential range of skincare products head here, and for more stoma advice, news and guest posts, be sure to stop by the Trio blog.