Anyone living with incontinence will understand the importance of keeping skin clean and healthy in order to feel comfortable and fresh all day long. Here we have put together some advice to help you best manage your skin care, or for the person you are caring for. Excessive moisture around the buttocks, hips, genitals, and the area between the pelvis and rectum makes skin problems such as redness, peeling, irritation, and yeast infections more likely. Plus the increased use of soaps, cleansing chemicals and wash cloths can further put pressure on skin integrity. Cleansing of the Perineal area (the area in front of the anus extending past the vagina or the scrotum) in a timely fashion using gentle but effective cleansers is important for maintaining the integrity of the skin, controlling odours and increasing comfort and self-esteem. At the bottom of this page is a selection of products specially designed for use when managing incontinence.

Stay dry
It is important to keep dry in order to maintain skin integrity. Our ranges of popular brand incontinence pads have been developed with highly absorbent cores which quickly lock moisture away from the skin as well as having wetness indicators to advise when the pad should be changed to avoid irritation. See individual product descriptions for full details.

Maintain the natural pH level in your skin
The skin has a natural pH level of between 4 and 7 whereas standard soaps have a pH level of between 9 and 12. Check the pH level of cleansers prior to use, the lower the level the kinder it is on your skin.

Skin protection
Using products that leave a protective barrier on the skin helps to minimize contact with urine or faeces.

Be gentle
Damage can be caused by frequent washing and wiping, so when you are cleansing, always do so gently to reduce friction. When drying use a patting motion rather than wiping.

Hydration and Nutrition
What we eat and drink can have a direct effect on the condition of our skin. Drink plenty of water and eat well to keep your skin in a healthy state.