Some individuals with Spinal Cord Injury may be in the unfortunate position at some point having to wear adult 'diapers' . I actually forgot (goodness knows how! lol) that after my surgery i wore diapers for approximately 2 weeks and i was not happy at all.
I was more concerned about why i needed to wear them rather than skin management but appropriate skin management and hygiene is essential.
Wet, soiled skin is going to be considerably more prone to skin break down than dry, clean skin. If bacteria gets inside broken skin then there is potential for very serious infections to develop and enter the bloodstream.
Skin moisture isn’t necessarily damaging. But when moisture that contains irritating substances, such as alkaline urine, contacts the skin for a prolonged period, damage can occur.
Urine on the skin alters the normal skin flora and increases permeability of the stratum corneum, weakening the skin and making it more susceptible to friction and erosion.
Fecal incontinence leads to active fecal enzymes on the skin, which contribute to skin damage. Fecal bacteria can penetrate the skin, increasing the risk of secondary infection. Wet skin has a lower temperature than dry skin; wet skin under a pressure load has less blood flow than dry skin.
Preventing incontinence-associated dermatitis
The three essentials of IAD prevention are to cleanse, moisturize, and protect.
Cleanse the skin with a mild soap that’s balanced to skin pH and contains surfactants that lift stool and urine from the skin.
Clean the skin routinely and at the time of soiling. Use warm (not hot) water, and avoid excess force and friction to avoid further skin damage.
Moisturize the skin daily and as needed.
Moisturizers may be applied alone or incorporated into a cleanser.
Typically, they contain an emollient such as lanolin to replace lost lipids in the stratum corneum.
To protect the skin, apply a moisture-barrier cream or spray if the patent has significant urinary or fecal incontinence (or both).
The barrier may be zinc-based, petrolatum-based, dimethicone-based, an acrylic polymer, or another type.
Consider using an algorithm developed by wound and skin care specialists that’s customized for skin care products your facility uses.
DJ, second that!!! Lαrα, excellent info and critical that new SCIs heed the warning. Skin breakdown can occur very quickly, so it is wise to monitor places you cannot readily see by using a mirror. One benefit of diapers/pads is that the surface fabric wicks moisture to inner layers, and most have inner material that turns liquid to gel so it stays in the diaper/pad.
"Some individuals with Spinal Cord Injury may be in the unfortunate position at some point having to wear adult 'diapers'." Some? Not most?! I would be unable to leave the house without protective garments.
"To protect the skin, apply a moisture-barrier cream or spray if the patent has significant urinary or fecal incontinence (or both). The barrier may be zinc-based, petrolatum-based, dimethicone-based, an acrylic polymer, or another type." My experience with zinc-based (40% ZnO) products has been pretty positive. Petrolatum doesn't let skin breathe, and I fear that the film will lock in bacteria if not preceded by proper washing. Petrolatum is a water barrier both ways, so if applied to sweaty areas moisture is locked in. Dimethicone irritates my skin by making it hyper sensitive. IMO, the main benefit of both petrolatum and dimethicone products is reduction of friction. Best and cost-effective solution for me is castor oil, which lubricates skin against friction, protects from moisture, and breathes. It is good all over the body except near eyes.
I so agree Lara, I need to wear them no matter what, yes even with a Foley, as I have in me right now. I do know that I had testicle surgery the end of Nov. and have had pain there ever since, but I had severe burning pain, and it was diaper rash, as I'm also inverted and it would leak down, and well you know. So I had to get a little help, and now I'm back on track, but very careful. Very good post.
I so agree Lara, I need to wear them no matter what, yes even with a Foley, as I have in me right now. I do know that I had testicle surgery the end of Nov. and have had pain there ever since, but I had severe burning pain, and it was diaper rash, as I'm also inverted and it would leak down, and well you know. So I had to get a little help, and now I'm back on track, but very careful. Very good post.
I think that the focus is so much on catheterizing solving bladder incontinence issues but there are so many other associated problems that go alongside. Im sorry to hear about your pain, that sounds very uncomfortable!
Lαrα,DJ,wavewolf,dannyiel,magicmedical, When I was in hospital, I was given wonderful products made by Medline Remedy Skin Care. The best for nether regions was their Calazime, more a paste than a lotion. This healed my raw wounds better than anything else, and I will never go back to inferior products! A little goes a long way, so it winds up being only slightly more expensive than other less effective butt protection products.
I was researching cheaper diapers just now and inevitably kept running across mostly 'baby diapers'. But this was so funny it made me laugh out loud, so I have to share it.
www.parentproofing.com/blog/2015/12/7/diapers-theyre-full-of-sht No matter the type of diaper you decide to go with, there will be a brand that works better for your kid and a brand that doesn’t work as well. These maxims should always hold true: * Don’t stock up on one type of diaper, for that will be the type that makes your child’s butt break out like a acne-plagued teenager with chicken pox. * Three pee-leaks in two days or less means you should go up a size. Don’t focus on the weight recommendations on the package as they are completely made up. * When poop is in your child’s hair, it is probably also on their back and hands. * Car seats give a baby the best angle for pooping. * Car seats are not fully washable.
I got UTI's in the hospital when I was being cathed by nurses. Also, I have clonus and strong spasticity which makes cathing a battle. I don't have a "leak problem". I pee into a diaper.
Here are some of the reasons that I wouldn't want to take Botox: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION BOTOX® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX®: Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months. Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing. BOTOX® may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours to weeks of taking BOTOX®. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. www.botoxforincontinence.com/treatment/
I take botox injections every 6-8 months. none of the problems you describe the Swallowing problems i had where due to oxy tables i took before the botox injections which now i do not need. i am not a medic so its best to talk your doctors for best advise.
your right about hospital i to caught a whole cocktail of infections but at home its more hygienic. the first time i got cathed was by a doctor who had trainee nurses with him. I Felt like being raped in front of curious spectators. Getting the botox is a similar experience legs spread and all. i do it without any aesthetic since i can't feel and close my eyes the whole procedure. As i said i can only talk from my own personal experience. I admit cathing for men is easier for obvious reasons. Now you've brought the subject up, nothing wrong with talking to my own uro doctor again when i'm due for appointment. i did talk before and assured me it was safe.
BTW this site is the only place i can talk openly, freely on all issues and with people who understand.
I was researching cheaper diapers just now and inevitably kept running across mostly 'baby diapers'. But this was so funny it made me laugh out loud, so I have to share it.
www.parentproofing.com/blog/2015/12/7/diapers-theyre-full-of-sht No matter the type of diaper you decide to go with, there will be a brand that works better for your kid and a brand that doesn’t work as well. These maxims should always hold true: * Don’t stock up on one type of diaper, for that will be the type that makes your child’s butt break out like a acne-plagued teenager with chicken pox. * Three pee-leaks in two days or less means you should go up a size. Don’t focus on the weight recommendations on the package as they are completely made up. * When poop is in your child’s hair, it is probably also on their back and hands. * Car seats give a baby the best angle for pooping. * Car seats are not fully washable.