Four Tips for Skincare with Incontinence
Incontinence is a really common condition for many millions of people.
It can be embarrassing for your senior, though, and the worse news is that it can be hard on her skin. As part of National Healthy Skin Month, it might be a good idea to learn more about how you can help to protect your senior’s skin as much as possible while also helping her to manage incontinence itself.
Good Habits Will Bring Good Results
Something that’s really important to remember is that good habits are going to build on each other and pay off for your senior. When you’ve got a good routine built up around caring for her skin, even through incontinence issues. Proper skin care routines adhered to regularly are going to protect her skin and help her to avoid rashes and skin breakdown that can create much bigger problems.
Use Cleaning Products that Don’t Contain Soap
One really important addition to your senior’s home kit and any bags you pack for being out and about need to include cleansers that don’t have soap in them. This is important for several reasons. First, if you’re out and about, you may be helping your senior clean up after an incident and using soap and water may not be easy to do. Second, soap can be drying and irritating. You can find spray cleaners and liquid versions, but the easiest to use might be pre-moistened wipes that are individually packaged.
Lotions and Moisturizers Are Important
Lotions and moisturizers help to protect skin after a shower and they can do the same after spot-cleaning sessions. Urine can burn skin, so using a moisturizing wipe after cleaning can help to soothe skin that might feel irritated and dry. The best moisturizers don’t contain alcohol or fragrances, because those can all be irritating to the skin.
She May Need a Barrier Cream
If your elderly family member’s skin gets irritated a lot, then a barrier cream may be a good idea. Barrier creams are thicker than moisturizers and they leave a film on the skin that serves as a physical barrier against urine and other irritants. Unlike lotions, barrier creams aren’t usually available in a wipe format. You may find some thinner barrier creams that could work, so definitely try a few out.
Managing incontinence issues can be tricky. Your senior may also be embarrassed by needing your help. If it’s too much for either of you that you’re the one helping her, then it might be time to consider elderly care providers as the answer.