Incontinence
Incontinence is the body’s inability to control the release of urine and stool.1
There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:2
- Stress incontinence
Urine leaks out when you cough or laugh - Urge incontinence
Urine leaks when you feel the urge to use the toilet - Mixed incontinence
Mixture of both stress and urge urinary incontinence - Overflow incontinence
Unable to fully empty your bladder, causing leaking - Total incontinence
Pass urine constantly with frequent leaking
Incontinence can be the result of weakening of the pelvic floor muscles which help prevent urination. It can be caused by overactivity of the muscles that control the bladder or caused by an obstruction in the bladder.2
Many people who have incontinence will experience incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). This is especially common in older adults.1 This condition is directly related to incontinence. The skin, when exposed to urine or faeces regularly, can become inflamed.1 IAD can cause pain, considerable discomfort and distress.3
IAD is also known as perineal dermatitis, diaper/nappy rash, irritant dermatitis, moisture lesions, or perineal rash.3
Healthy skin works as a barrier between the outside and inside of the body.1 Incontinence exposes the skin to continual wetness, leading to overhydrated, softened and waterlogged skin.3 The pH level of the skin is naturally acidic which creates an acid layer that helps to protect the body against infection. Exposure to urine can make the skin more alkaline, breaking down the acid layer and making the skin more susceptible to breakdown.3 Faecel incontinence exposes to the skin to digestive enzymes that are damaging to the skin, with liquid stool increasing the risk of developing IAD.3
The barrier function of the skin breaks down
Although the key risk factor for IAD is incontinence, poor mobility, cognitive impairment and older age can increase risk.3
The skin damage of IAD can occur in various areas such as between the buttocks, on the outer buttocks and thighs, and in the groin area.4
Redness, patches or large areas of inflammation, lesions, pain, burning or itching.1
Principles of care
What you can do about it:
- Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol.
- Provide a structured skin-care regimen that protects the skin.5
Cleanse – Moisturise – Protect
What product can be used to help?
Using an absorbent product with curly fibre has the potential to prevent incontinence associated dermatitis, as well as reduce the severity and promote healing.
MoliCare® Premium is an absorbent range of products from slight to severe incontinence, that contains curly fibre and has active skin protection, used in combination with the MoliCare® Skin barrier cream & MoliCare® Skin Zinc Oxide cream with NUTRISKIN protection complex and skin balanced pH5.5. Protection Complex for
added moisture and protection and a pH of 5,5.
The importance of pH
Because skin is exposed to alkaline urine during incontinence, taking steps to acidify the skin will help.3,5
Ammonia in urine elevates the skin pH impairing its barrier function.3,6 Urine also overhydrates exposed skin increasing the risk of friction injury.3,5,6
Faecal enzymes also damage the skin, with liquid stool being particularly irritating to the skin.3
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, your health care professional may make
recommendations on how to effectively manage your condition.1
Using absorbent incontinence briefs with curly fibre is considered a strategy for combating incontinence dermatitits and maintaining skin health.
Protection begins immediately and lasts for over 5 hours – which is especially beneficial during sleep.
Medicine may be recommended if you’re still unable to manage your symptoms, or surgery may also be considered.2
Tips to improve symptoms
Simple measures can be taken to help improve
symptoms, these include:2
- Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol
- Pelvic floor exercises – where you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by squeezing them
- Bladder training – where you learn to wait longer between needing to pass urine
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for appropriate choices to treat your symptoms.
Medical References
- Silver N. Healthline [Online, March 2017]. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/incontinence-associateddermatitis# diagnosis Last accessed March 2020.
- NHS. Urinary incontinence [Online; November 2019]. Available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence
Last accessed March 2020. - Yates A. Incontinence-associated dermatitis 1: risk factors for skin damage. Nursing Times 2020;116(3):46-50.
- Bliss DZ, Funk T, Jacobson M and Savik K. Incidence and Characteristics of Incontinence Associated Dermatitis in Community-Dwelling Persons with Fecal Incontinence. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2015;42(5):525-530.
- Gray M. Incontinence Associated Dermatitis in the Elderly Patient: Assessment, Prevention and Management. J Aging
Life Care 2014. - Corcoran EC, Woodward S. Incontinence-associated dermatitis
in the elderly: Treatment options. British Journal of Nursing 2013. DOI: 10.12968/
bjon.2013.22.8.450.
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