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The Skin They’re In
Skin Care for Loved Ones With Incontinence
By Kelly Burgess |
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Click here to view a printable version of this article
Sally Leonard, of Mechanicsburg, Md., became concerned when her father-in-law, Frank, 74, developed a skin rash shortly after Alzheimer’s left him incontinent. "My husband and I were trying to care for him at home, but didn’t really know his skin needed special care," says Leonard.
Unsure of how to help him, she decided check with his nurse. "The visiting nurse was a big help – she recommended skin care products that were specifically targeted to incontinence," says Leonard. "The answer turned out to be just common sense, but at the time I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t really think what to do."
Just as Leonard found, skin care is an important consideration for many adults and their caregivers who are dealing with incontinence. When not handled appropriately, the skin can suffer serious problems, affecting your loved one's quality of life.
How Incontinence Affects the Skin
"There are definitely special skin care issues with people who have incontinence because their skin is being assaulted by the chemicals in the urine and feces," says Paul Alper, president and founder of The Caregivers Marketplace (www.caregiversmarketplace.com). "Those chemicals can attack the skin and cause skin breakdowns."
While most of these skin conditions are minor, consisting of redness, rash and other minor skin irritations, they can make your loved extremely uncomfortable, so Alper suggests caregivers use a well thought-out regimen of skin care to prevent these problems.
Diane Newman, co-director of the PENN Center for Continence and Pelvic Health at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, says it’s particularly crucial to pay attention to good skin care in an elderly person because they tend to have more sensitive skin than a younger person.
Following a Skin Care Regimen
Both Newman and Alper agree that a good regimen for skin care should start with keeping your loved one as dry as possible. While that may include using high-quality absorbency products that wick moisture away, such as Depend® disposable absorbent products, it also means checking the product and bedding frequently to see if it’s wet or soiled and needs to be changed.
When the product does need to be changed, the skin should be thoroughly cleaned and then dried. Alper recommends cleansers that are specially formulated to remove urine and feces without stripping away the skin’s natural oils. Applying moisturizers to keep the skin well-hydrated will also help reduce skin irritations.
Finally, if needed, use a barrier ointment or cream, which, in conjunction with the absorbent product, helps keep moisture away from the skin.
While Alper recommends cleansing and barrier products that are specially formulated for people with incontinence, Newman says good old soap and water does the job just fine. "The best way to avoid rashes is to wash with mild soap and water and keep the area as dry as possible," says Newman. "I do recommend that people stay away from children’s products, and we don’t want them to use products that cake up on the skin. Also, it’s best to use unscented products. Other than that, one mild cleanser or barrier product is pretty much as good as another."
Inside Out and Outside In
In addition to the outer skin care, Alper and Newman both point out that other factors are important to the overall health of your loved one’s skin. A well-balanced diet with plenty of fluids can help prevent urinary problems and helps to keep the skin healthy and hydrated from the inside out. While it’s important to avoid wetness from urine, if skin is well-hydrated from the inside it will be healthier, more resilient and resistant to breakdowns.
If the skin does start to show some redness or irritation, Newman says consulting a physician probably isn’t necessary right away, as most skin problems caused by incontinence are minor, although they can be irritating.
First, Newman recommends redoubling efforts to keep the skin dry and clean. However, if the condition worsens or doesn't get any better, then she suggests seeking a physician’s advice.
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