Traveling with an Ostomy Bag (Essential Tips)

Ready to hit the road with your ostomy bag? Don’t let those travel jitters hold you back! With some smart planning, you can transform what might seem like a challenge into a smooth, stress-free experience. 

In this article, we’ll run through some key tips, advice, and travel guidelines to help you navigate your journey with confidence. Whether you are traveling by ground or air, planning a quick weekend getaway, or an international adventure – we have you covered. From packing essentials to handling security checks, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know when traveling with an ostomy bag. 

Can You Fly with a Colostomy Bag? 

Yes, flying with a colostomy bag is allowed, and many people do so without major issues. Still, it’s important to prepare ahead of time with plenty of ostomy supplies in your carry-on. This includes having pouches, adhesives, and cleaning wipes on hand, just in case. It also makes sense to stay hydrated and avoid foods that could be irritating. Take note of where the bathroom is in case of an emergency, and perhaps select an aisle seat (if that’s an option for you) just in case. 

You’ll also want to make sure your pouch odor is under control. To get ahead of this, read our blog post titled 6 Tips for Minimizing Ostomy Bag Odor. You can also browse the selection of odor-eliminating products in the Medical Monks catalog, including the Vitus Ostomy Lubricating Deodorant – which can lubricate your pouch while combatting odor. 

Does a Stoma Bag Inflate on a Plane? 

There is a chance that your stoma bag will inflate on a plane, although it is unlikely. If ballooning does take place, it’s often manageable. Simply go to the restroom on the plane and empty your pouch. Most people find that emptying their bag before boarding the plane helps prevent this. However, it’s best to plan ahead and potentially reserve an aisle seat just in case. 

How to Let Air Out of Ostomy Bag 

If you experience ballooning, there are ways to let the air out of your ostomy bag. These include burping the bag, using a bag vent, or using a bag with a filter. Burping your ostomy pouch is essentially letting the gas out. Simply go to the bathroom, let the gas out, and use ostomy deodorant or odor-reducing spray as necessary. 

Some ostomy bags come with a built-in filter or vent. Filters automatically eliminate gas from your pouch when it comes up, and it does this without scent. Vents work in a similar way, but they do not reduce the smell, so you’ll need to take precautions and have some deodorizer on hand. 

For more tips on how to let air out of an ostomy bag, check out our blog post titled: How to Keep an Ostomy Bag From Ballooning.

Going Through Airport Security with a Stoma 

The thought of going through airport security with a stoma can be intimidating. We get it. However, if you come prepared and know how to approach this situation, it can make your experience much smoother and worry-free. 

Here are some tips for going through airport security with a stoma: 

• Get a Travel Communication Card: We’ll describe this in detail below, but you can obtain a card from the United Ostomy Associations of America to alert the TSA of your situation quickly and clearly. 
• Be prepared for a pat-down or screening: This is usually a routine procedure, and if you give the TSA agent your travel communication card, they will know what to look for. 
• Understand TSA liquid requirements: This is where planning ahead is crucial. The TSA does not allow liquids, gels, and aerosols of more than 3.4 ounces in carry-on bags. For this reason, it makes sense to have supplies that are travel-sized. 
• Get medical documentation (if needed): If you have special circumstances or certain medical needs that require explanation, it sometimes makes sense to get documents from your medical provider just in case. 

TSA Ostomy Card for Travel 

As mentioned, the United Ostomy Associations of America has a Travel Communication Card you can download, print, and present to a TSA agent. This can be extremely helpful because it allows you to present the card explaining your medical condition simply. Just hand them the card, let them acknowledge your condition, and proceed accordingly. This saves you from explaining your situation in a noisy airport in front of dozens of other people. It’s a great resource to have. You can download the card and print it for free here. 

Also, the UOAA provides a separate “Restroom Access Communication Card” if needed. This is helpful when you need to use the restroom on a flight, but the crews request that passengers stay in their seats. Once again, it explains your situation without you having to go into a monologue about your medical history for everyone to hear. 

Conclusion 

With a little preparation and the right mindset, traveling with an ostomy bag can be a breeze. It’s all about setting yourself up for success and finding ways to adapt to the situation. Also, don’t forget to stock up on all necessary ostomy supplies, from pouching systems, sprays and wipes, rings and seals, ostomy deodorants, and more.

At Medical Monks, we often have travel-sized solutions for your carry-on bags. Need help finding what you are looking for? Give us a call or open up a chat with one of our friendly representatives.