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Tips To Help Make Life With A Catheter A Little Easier
Living With A Urinary Catheter › Forums › General Discussion › Showering with a catheter and switching legs for placement.
Hi,
Wondering if it’s ok to shower with the leg bag. I have been doing this. Not sure what alternative I have to getting it wet, or what any risks are. I usually disinfect the output nozzle/cap with alcohol prep pads constantly after the shower or draining.
My other question is I read that it is recommended to to switch the leg bag periodically from one leg to the other. Is this because it’s not good for the penis to be always veering in one direction?
Thanks.
I use a plug which I got from my nurse. It works great and really gives you the freedom you need to take a good shower. I change legs every day because the straps were making bad places on my thigh.
I’ve never had a problem showering with the catheter. However, I carefully clean around the exit point and the first six inches of the exposed tube with a clean plain disposable wipe and warm soapy water before showering etc. I do this twice a day. The soap sometimes stings a bit if I put too much on in which case I clean immediately with just warm water.
When I first got the foley catheter I was worried about using my spa bath (hot tube) because that has chlorinated water to keep it clean. The catheter nurse said it would be no problem and it hasn’t been, it doesn’t even sting at all.
When I shower I clip the drainage bag higher up and out of the direct spray so it doesn’t get quite so wet.
I switch legs every few days for the drainage bag but that is to give the skin on my leg a break.