If you have an indwelling urinary catheter, a thin hollow flexible tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine, we recommend the following advice:
- Wash your hands with soap and water every time before and after touching the catheter and any equipment attached to it.
- If possible, make sure you have a daily shower. Do this with your bag or valve attached.
- If it is not possible to have a shower, ensure you wash the skin in the area where the catheter enters the body with unscented soaps or gels and water at least daily
- For men, it is important to wash under your foreskin, replacing afterwards, unless circumcised.
- After using the toilet, wipe front to back with toilet tissue, to avoid moving poo from your bottom to the catheter.
- Urinary catheter use comes with a risk of infection, in fact for every day your catheter stays in the risk of infection increases. Therefore, long term use should be avoided wherever possible. Discuss other options with your healthcare professional.
