Skin Health - Skincare Solutions for Fragile Skin
As time goes on, incontinence can become a skin health issue
People with incontinence need additional personal care. Whether it is for someone at home or in a residence, incontinence becomes less of a nuisance and more of a health issue as time goes on.
Good skin care is essential for people with incontinence and their carers. Urine and feces can damage the skin, causing redness, irritation and soreness. This can be distressing, uncomfortable and socially isolating.
Three risk areas
Skin areas most at risk are around the anus (back passage), the genitals, between the buttocks, and the inner thighs. Damp, warm skin is unfortunately a good place for bacteria, including fungal infections and urinary tract infections.
Episodes of bladder leakage or faecal incontinence (soiling) can cause inflammation of the skin surface, resulting in redness, pain and itching and sometimes swelling and/or blisters, dryness, flaking or itching.
This damaged skin is now vulnerable to infection. Skin can easily break down in people who:
- Have continence problems;
- Are older;
- Have dry skin;
- Have limited mobility;
- Have cognitive impairment;
- Take medicines for other illnesses;
- Are unable to care for themselves.
The best ‘treatment’ for skin problems is prevention
The best approaches include preventing urinary tract infections, drinking enough fluids every day, preventing pressure injuries (bedsores), good nutrition and talking to a doctor or continence health professional.
8 practical tips
When caring for someone with incontinence, some every care tips for healthy skin include:
- Keep the skin clean and dry. Wash the person’s buttocks and between their legs with warm water and soap when changing used pads, diapers or underwear.
- Do not use solutions with alcohol or disinfectant directly onto the person’s skin as this can be very drying, cause soreness and cause skin breakdown or allergic rashes.
- Avoid perfumed moisturizers, especially if the person has allergies or sensitive skin or if there is redness or broken skin.
- Change the pad, underwear or diaper frequently enough to keep the skin dry
- Wash skin at least twice daily, preferably with a soap-free cleanser or a soap alternative
- Pat dry carefully – do not rub
- Avoid talcum powder and barrier cream as they can interfere with the absorbency of continence pads. If barrier cream is needed, try to only use a thin layer
- Make sure the continence product is put on and removed correctly (read the instructions carefully).
Even with the best of loving care, health problems can develop very quickly.
When it comes to managing overall skin health, My Liberty offers a comprehensive skin care solution of products that help you care for each individual's skin health needs.
From cleansing to moisturizing to protecting, we can offer solutions to help you overcome the many challenges of skin health while promoting whole, intact and undamaged skin.
Poor skin integrity can lead to further complications such as pressure sores, infections and skin tears.
Disposable Washcloths
My Liberty wants to reduce your laundry load with soft, cloth-like washcloths to simplify the cleansing routine. Here are the outstanding options we offer by the case - use for each bathroom break or refreshed change of underwear.
Largest size: Tranquility Personal Cleansing Washcloth Disposable Wipes
These pre-moistened disposable wipes are super-soft, alcohol-free, hypoallergenic and disposable—and they are good for cleaning any body surface.
Their large size allows for quicker clean up. Recommended by home-care nurses! These are alcohol-free and are the largest size at 9"x13".
Widest range: TENA Washcloths: Classic, Ultra, or Ultra Scent-Free Wipes
How does softly textured for more effective cleansing with Aloe Vera and Chamomile sound? All of these pre-moistened washcloths from Tena are designed for easy, single-handed dispensing - perfect for a busy care-giver.
TENA's selection of washcloths - Classic, Ultra, or Ultra Scent-Free Wipes - all work all work for waterless bathing or skin-cleansing anywhere on the body.
There is a reduced lid size which uses less plastic and improves the environmental impact. Each pack is designed to fit in a drawer, helping reduce bedside and table clutter. Each washcloth is 7.9"x12.5".
Excellent value: Prevail Incontinence Washcloths in Regular Scent or Fragrance Free
Prevail Adult Washcloths are super strong for tough jobs and super soft on the skin. Packaged in a soft pack with press-open lid that dispenses one pre-moistened cloth at a time.
These strong yet soft washcloths are hypoallergenic and enhanced with lotions to soothe, protect and clean your skin.
Prevail Washcloths contain Aloe, Chamomile and Vitamin E for skin wellness. They are constructed with a unique three layer fabric: the two outer layers are made of a soft fabric to be gentle on the skin; the strong and tightly-woven inner layer improves barrier and resists tearing or stretching for effective cleaning while keeping hands cleaner.
Each washcloth moisturizes the skin to promote skin wellness and measures 12'x12".
Other Cleaning Methods for Fragile Skin
TENA® Bathing Glove, Scented and Scent Free
Developed to better care for fragile skin, minimize cross-contamination, TENA Bathing Gloves provide a more convenient and efficient routine for both the person being bathed and caregivers.
As each glove is pre-moistened with body wash, it eliminates the need for soap, water, basins or additional towels - making for less laundry. Also great for travelling or away-from-home clean ups.
Each bathing glove is made of soft material with ergonomic grip and handling. They are two-sided and pre-moistened with a mild, pH 5.5 body wash formula which is gentle on delicate skin.
TENA Bathing Gloves can be used as an alternative, or in addition, to regular baths and showers. Caregivers like to warm them for a more soothing bathing experience.
Available scented or scent free.
TENA Cleansing Cream - Alternative to Soap and Water - Fresh Scent or Scent Free
TENA ProSkin Cleasing Cream offers gentle alternative to soap and water cleanses, moisturizes and sooths even the most delicate skin. Ideal for bathing the entire body as well as for incontinence care, for cleansing the delicate perineal area. No need to rinse with water.
TENA ProSkinCleansing Cream is ideal for cleansing and moisturizing during continence care when soap and water may otherwise dry the skin.
Available in scented and scent-free formulas and in tube or pump bottle format. Convenient to use - no need to rinse with water or towel dry.
This cream is pH balanced so it is not irritating or drying to fragile skin.
Protecting Damaged Skin
At My Liberty, we often hear sad stories about bed-ridden customers who are suffering from bedsores. Their challenge is to keep any urine away from the skin while it heals. Often people wearing adult diapers or pull-ups feel like they don't have options on how to handle this but here's the solution:
Tranquility TopLiner Booster Contour Pads
Tranquility TopLiner Booster Contour Pads offer added protection to any disposable undergarment. Booster Contour Pads are intended to line the top of any disposable product for extra absorbency or to 'boost' absorbency.
The hourglass shape of the Tranquility TopLiner Booster Contour Pads help contain bowel incontinence by providing a wide absorbent area.
Tranquility Premium Products are backed by the Peach Mat Guarantee of unsurpassed overall performance in the areas of skin dryness, odour reduction, urine pH neutralization and the inhibition of bacterial growth.
- Cindy Clegg
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