It’s not unusual for people with bladder weakness to occasionally experience some form of skin discomfort.
Frequent use of liners or pads can be uncomfortable for some, whilst at the more extreme end people can develop Incontinence Assisted Dermatitis (or “IAD”), also known as perineal dermitis, (adult) nappy rash and irritant dermatitis.
The incidence of IAD in healthcare settings has been estimated to affect up to 25% of people, so it is a significant issue.
If not managed carefully it can also be difficult, time consuming and costly to treat.
IAD is a form of disruption to the normal barrier function of the skin, which triggers inflammation.
With incontinence, water from urine and/or faeces is drawn into the outer skin layers and ‘overhydrates’ the skin, causing swelling and
disruption of the skins outer structure.
This can also lead to irritants more easily penetrating the skin and a greater likelihood of injury from friction (from clothing, bed linen, incontinence pads).
At the same time, ongoing exposure to urine and/or faeces makes the skin more alkaline and resultant increase in skin pH can also increase the risk of skin infection.
Ways to help minimise the risks of IAD include:
- Frequent changing of bladder weakness pads
- Ensuring you or the person you are caring for stays dry
- Avoiding too frequent skin cleansing with water and soap, as this can damage the skin, cause dryness and friction
- Avoiding aggressive cleansing of affected areas (to reduce the risk of friction and skin damage)
- Ensuring the bladder weakness pads used are not abrasive, harsh and uncomfortable
(cotton is naturally hypo-allergenic, so ideal for sensitive and irritated skin)
If you or someone you are caring for starts to experience skin discomfort with bladder weakness and/or symptoms that sound similar to
IAD, you should consult an appropriate healthcare professional.