Your skin can be damaged if you don’t take care of it. skin problems are more likely to occur if you suffer from both urinary and faecal incontinence or if you have very loose stools.
In order to maintain the integrity of your skin you should follow these basic principles:
When you wash your bottom avoid using harsh soaps as these can cause your skin to become dry.
Use a pH balanced soap, foam cleanser or cleansing wipes which contain added moisturizers. If using soap, rinse your skin after use.
Don’t rub your skin dry as this can damage the top layer of your skin, instead pat gently. If your skin is intact you do not need any cream and if your skin is starting to become sore, seek your Healthcare Professional’s advice.
When applying any creams you may have been prescribed make sure you follow the instructions carefully.
Talcum powder and some barrier creams can stop your incontinence pads from working properly as they block the pores in the top layer of the pad. This stops the urine from being absorbed into the pad. If the ‘stay dry’ effect of the pad is damaged it will not be as comfortable to wear (Le Lievre, 2002).