Colostomy care Teaching 2633
Instructed patient caregiver water will not hurt your ostomy. Normal exposure to air or contact with soap and water won’t harm the stoma. Water will not flow into the stoma. Soap will not irritate it, but soap may interfere with the skin barrier sticking to the skin. It’s best to only use water while cleaning the skin around your stoma. If you do use soap, be sure to rinse your skin well.
Reviewed December 2020
Reviewed for general reference only. Adapt to your patient, agency policy, and scope of practice.
Related teachings
Colostomy care Teaching 2191Ostomy care Instructed patient limit foods such as broccoli, cabbage, onions, fish, and garlic in your diet to help reduce odor.Colostomy care Teaching 2635Instructed patient caregiver Eating regularly will help prevent gas, Eat smaller amounts of food 4 to 5 times a day. Do not skip meals to avoid gas or output.Colostomy care Teaching 2200Ostomy care instructed patient unless recommended, do not apply powders or creams to the skin around your
stoma because they can keep your skin barrier from sticking.Colostomy care Teaching 2254Instructed patient assess bowel sounds in all 4 quadrants, assess effluent from ostomy. Empty pouch when 1/3-1/2 full, assess abdomen, report any abnormal findings immediately.