Incontinence Skin Care Cleansers

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. This condition can be the result of weakening muscles, nerve damage or other medical issues. It often accompanies the aging process though it is not an inevitable part of aging. Severity can range from minor leakage caused by coughing or sneezing to incontinence that has a significant impact on your daily life.

Frequent Cleansing is Important

Regardless of the cause, managing incontinence requires the right supplies. In addition to pads and adult diapers, frequent, gentle cleansing of these sensitive areas is a must. This is necessary whether the patient is ambulatory or confined to bed because cleansing protects against urinary tract infections (UTI) and other complications such as Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD), which is a painful inflammation of the skin caused by long-term exposure to urine or feces.

This is especially critical in elderly patients where it causes redness and burning and can lead to damaging skin infections. That is why cleansing is vital – ideally using a pH-balanced, mild, no-rinse cleanser. Honest Medical carries a comprehensive line of sensitive skin care cleansers that are gentle and easy to use, including foam, spray or cleansing wipes as well as protective barrier creams.

Cleansing Tips

Protecting the perineal area – which is between the genitals and anus – and avoiding infections requires frequent, gentle cleaning after each leak or accident. In addition to changing pads or adult diapers, the following are some tips to ensure proper cleansing:

Gather Your Supplies: These should include protective gloves, mild pH-balanced perineal wash, no-rinse cleanser, soft cleaning cloth and towel, and a protective barrier cream such as petroleum jelly, zinc oxide or film-type cream.
Clean the Area Gently: Avoid harsh scrubbing that can cause skin damage. Clean the area gently using a mild no-rinse cleanser that is designed for sensitive perineal skin.
Avoid Harsh Cleansers: Using soap and water can have a drying effect on sensitive skin. In addition, no-rinse cleansers are more convenient and gentler to use multiple times, if necessary, throughout the day.
Wipe and Pat Dry: It is important to wipe from front to back with females to avoid causing a UTI. Gently pat the area dry.
Use a Barrier Cream: Changing soiled pads, diapers or briefs immediately after an incident and cleansing the area carefully is imperative, but also using a barrier cream further protects the skin against moisture damage.

Ostomy Cleansers

A stoma is a surgically created opening that diverts urine and feces to an ostomy pouch, which is used when a patient is unable to expel urine and fecal waste normally. The skin around a stoma also needs frequent and gentle cleansing to remove output, oils and adhesive residue without harming the sensitive skin, which ensures that pouch adherence is maintained.

The same no-rinse gentle cleansing used for perineal care works well for stomas. Honest Medical offers cleansing wipes, sprays and adhesive removers that are ideal for stoma cleansing and maintaining skin integrity.

Learn More

Honest Medical offers the cleansing supplies you need to protect incontinence patients from infections and skin irritations whether their condition is mild or severe. Our blog, Honest Ideas, offers more information on managing incontinence and ostomy care, including the following:

If you have any questions about incontinence skin cleansers or other products, contact an Honest Medical Care Specialist at (833) 933-2323.

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