Skin health is crucial when you’re managing urinary incontinence. Without proper perineal care, pressure ulcers and diaper rashes may develop, resulting in great discomfort and skin breakdown. We recommend a three-step approach to incontinence skin care:
- Cleanse thoroughly.
It is important to thoroughly clean the perineal area after soiling. Use a specially formulated perineal cleanser to remove all urine and fecal particles from the skin and eliminate odor caused by bacterial contamination. For bedridden individuals or those who cannot take regular showers, try Tena Wash Cream. This is a no-rinse cleanser that moisturizes the skin without drying it out.
- Condition and protect the skin.
Now that the skin is clean, it’s time to protect it from continued exposure to moisture, urine, and bacteria. What you’ll need is a barrier ointment, or diaper rash cream. These ointments form a protective layer on the skin that minimizes skin contact with urine, feces, and moisture. This non-greasy and fragrance-free protective ointment from Aloe Vesta is a customer favorite, as it provides excellent skin protection using protein-rich emollients.
- Keep the skin dry.
Constant exposure to urine and feces makes the skin susceptible to all types of skin breakdown, including maceration, bacterial infection, and fungal infection. Wearing an incontinence undergarment with a soft top sheet and an absorbent core can help keep the skin dry and protected. Tranquility ATN has a specialized core that quickly wicks moisture away from the skin, while neutralizing urine odors.
- Condition and protect the skin.
