How Should I Clean the Skin After Someone With Incontinence Has an Accident?

Use the right supplies and a consistent approach. It's important to get the skin both clean and dry after an incidence of bladder or fecal incontinence. Many older people will See also:
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See all 169 questions about Incontinence need help with this because they lack the mobility to do a thorough job, or they may feel embarrassed and want to dispense with the cleanup quickly and ineffectively.

Try storing a cloth bag of supplies in the bathroom, and a second one that you can grab to take with you when you go out (or just stash it in the car). In it, keep:

• Some extra incontinence pull-ups or panties

• Wet wipes (such as children's diaper wipes or other wipes made for the skin)

• A body wash that doesn't have to be rinsed (these can be bought in medical-supply stores or drugstores that carry medical supplies; they often feature aloe vera as an ingredient)

• A washcloth

• Cornstarch or powder (optional)

First, wipe the area clear with the wet wipe. Then partly wet the cloth with warm water and apply some of the rinse-less soap. This product saves you work and time. Pat the area dry with the dry part of the washcloth. Some people like to apply a cornstarch-type powder -- usually sold as baby powder -- to aid drying.

Let the person know what you're doing at each step: "Now I'm going to use a wet wipe." Offer to let them participate, if they can: "Would you like to clean over your privates yourself?" (Go over the area again if necessary.)

Replace with a clean, dry incontinence product.

Many people are not aware that regular bar soaps and/or antibacterial soap can dry the skin, raise its pH,and contribute to skin breakdown. These products should not be used in sensitive areas.

The combination of an alcohol-free, soap-free, rinseless spray wash and a protective skin cream barrier is the best protection for skin exposed to urinary and/or fecal incontinence.

Product recommendations: Ca-Rezz No-Rinse Wash and Ca-Rezz Skin Cream

Ca-Rezz No-Rinse is formulated with Triclosan and Nonoxynol-9 to remove infectious micro-organisms that can cause painful rashes and skin breakdown. Its pH balanced formula is kind to fragile skin.

Ca-Rezz cream is specially formulated with Calamine, Aloe Vera, Allantoin, and Vitamins A, D, E to soothe and promote healing of fragile, irritated skin. It creates a moisture barrier to protect the skin from exposure and contains anti-microbial ingredients that help reduce odor and protect against infection.

These products are not found in retail stores, but can be purchased from online medical supply companies such as TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

We need to know what products can be purchased at retail stores. Who has time to look up and find medical supply places?

To the bags, add exam gloves and lotion for yourself. These are available in bulk at Sam's or Costco or drug stores and most grocery stores. Disinfectant wipes for surfaces that may have been contaminated are also helpful. Another suggestion: Keep a bag of supplies in the car and at any home you regularly visit. Also, an inexpensive bathroom cabinet or nightstand placed in the bathroom containing these supplies is a convenient way to manage them.