For people living with inflammatory bowel disease, bathroom anxiety is real. The thought of digestive complications and a sudden need to go to the bathroom can be distressing enough to make them avoid public places entirely. But that’s not the way to go.
Living with IBD can be difficult, to say the least. However, you shouldn’t let the chronic disease take over and disrupt your life. The trick lies in planning!
Get over your bathroom anxiety by preparing to deal with IBD bathroom emergencies.
Carry the following bathrooms essentials in your emergency bag, everywhere, to make sure you’re ready to navigate the world of public bathrooms:
1. Your Restroom Access Card
If you live in one of the states where the Restroom Access Act, or Ally’s Law, has been implemented, get your Restroom Access Card as soon as possible. The card gives you access to the employees-only bathrooms in places where there aren’t any public restrooms or are not immediately available.
2. Toilet Paper
When you’re in public places, you don’t know the kind of bathrooms you’ll end up in. They may be clean and well-stocked, or they may not even have toilet paper. Therefore, it’s better to always carry your own toilet paper, so you have one less thing to fret over when a bathroom emergency arises.
3. Baby Wipes
Frequent bathroom visits can leave your skin sore and irritated. Baby wipes can come in handy in such situations. They are gentle on the skin and can also make the cleanup easier.
4. A Mini Toilet Spray
People with IBD tend to have strong-smelling stools. While this isn’t something you can control, it can be embarrassing when you’re using a toilet anywhere outside your home. A toilet spray can do wonders in saving you from that embarrassment. Simply spritz it in the toilet before using it to mask the smell and leave the bathroom smelling good.
5. Extra Underwear
One of the unpleasant realities of IBD is that the chronic disease makes you prone to bathroom accidents. Having extra underwear ensures that you’re fully prepared to deal with any such accident.
If there’s enough space in your IBD bathroom emergency kit, you can also pack an extra pair of pants.
6. Resealable Zipper Bags or Trash Bags
These will come in handy to dispose of dirty items as well as to carry your soiled clothes back home easily. So, make sure you always have a few in your IBD bathroom emergency bag. Stock Up and Use a Bathroom Locator App to Find the Nearest Bathroom.
Make an emergency kit with all these bathroom essentials (and any other that you think you may need) to deal with bathroom emergencies that IBD has made you prone to. However, just carrying these essentials is often not enough.
You also need to know where the bathroom is located, everywhere you go.
Having a bathroom locator app on your cellphone can save you time and reduce the risk of any potentially embarrassing situation. There are multiple such apps available. Make sure to download one on your phone and locate the nearest bathroom beforehand.
We hope these bathroom essentials have been helpful in preparing you for any unexpected situations. We also encourage you to share your tips and experiences with other members of the IBD community. Whether it's through social media or support groups, sharing what works for you can help others better manage their condition.
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