It may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of incontinence. However, skincare is an important part of maintenance when it comes to the condition.

If the skin surrounding your continence aid (i.e. stomach, groin, legs, buttocks) is in contact with urine and/or stool for too long, among other factors, it can compromise the skin barrier and cause irritations, such as incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD), and infections.

On top of that, the seasons can play quite a significant role in the quality of your skin. So with the cold months upon us, we wanted to share winter skincare for incontinence so you can stay warm, dry and comfortable. And, most importantly, skin irritation-free!

We get it, it’s chilly, so the first thing you want to do in the morning, or last thing of the night, is take a hot bath or shower to warm you up! But before you go twisting that tap too close to scolding, think about how it may affect your skin.

Exposing your skin to super hot water after being out in cold temperatures can strip it of its natural oils, which can then lead to dryness and itchiness. This breakdown of the skin barrier leaves you vulnerable to bacteria from urinary or faecal incontinence.  

Instead of a piping hot shower or bath, opt for warm or tepid water and stay in the shower or bath for no more than 10 minutes to ensure your skin doesn’t lose too much of its moisture.

When bathing, ensure you’re using skin care products that are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

Something being hypoallergenic essentially means it’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction. So hypoallergenic body wash and cream/moisturisers are going to be more gentle on the skin and help maintain the skin barrier and moisture. Using fragrance-free products will also help avoid skin irritations.

Wash your gential, anal, thigh and abdomen areas, and use a soft, gentle cloth to help effectively clean all areas.

Once you’re out of the shower or bath, be sure to promptly and gently dry the skin to avoid prolonged moisture exposure which can also compromise the skin, especially if in contact with urine or stool.

Before putting on a new continence aid, you should apply a barrier cream to reduce contact between your skin and urine/stool. The cream will reduce friction between your skin and your continence aid, too.

If you don’t have access to a bath or shower, we recommend you use a hypoallergenic wet wipe, such as our Dailee Microvewable Wet Wipes - which, yes, you can heat in the microwave, perfect for the colder months! Wet wipes should also be used between continence aid changes to properly clean and disinfect the skin, genitals and buttocks.

Drinking enough water will do wonders for your skin health. These benefits include:

• Dehydration can contribute to dry, itchy skin. Drinking enough water can help keep the skin hydrated and supple!

• Drinking enough water helps maintain your skin’s pH balance. This is the acid-level, ranging from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline) in the skin. If your pH balance is more acidic, you’re more susceptible to redness, inflammation and dry/rough skin.

• Being hydrated prevents your body from overheating and developing rashes.

• Water intake can help maintain a healthy gut, which can positively impact your skin health - and also your digestion and incontinence symptoms!

This might seem a no-brainer to some, but with a busy schedule or lack of mobility, changing a continence aid as soon as it’s wet or soiled can be easier said than done.

Changing a pad, pull-up or slip as soon as it’s wet or soiled will help protect your skin from developing IAD, or other infections such as urinary tract infections which can occur (more so in women) when bacteria from stool enters the urinary tract.

Ensuring your continence aids are made with skin-friendly materials, are breathable and fit your body correctly will also help maintain your skin health.

Our ultra-soft range of Dailee pads, pull-ups and slips are dermatologically-tested to be gentle on the skin, and are made with latex-free, breathable materials to help prevent irritations.

If you’re not sure what size or absorbency level you need, you can always contact us to speak to our product specialists who can give their recommendations based on your waist size and incontinence symptoms.

Wearing an incontinence aid that’s too big around your groin and/or waist can lead to leaks, and if they’re too small can press harshly into the skin and may cause irritation, redness and inflammation. So it’s important to ensure your continence aid is right for you!