Young or old, anyone can suffer from unwanted urine loss. Not only does it lead to a lot of embarrassment, but it can also be harmful to the skin. How does this arise? And can you have it treated properly? Below we answer questions about skin irritation due to incontinence.
Urine as the cause
To properly explain why skin irritation is caused by urine, it is good to explain what exactly urine is. After all, it is considered to be the cause of many skin problems. Urine consists of liquid substances that the body does not need. It is not just about waste products, but also about excess healthy substances, such as vitamins, minerals and water. These excess waste products are separated from the blood in the kidneys, after which they are temporarily stored as urine in the bladder. It then disappears from the body through the urethra when you have to urinate. Urine does not only cause problems for the skin. Based on the composition, color and odor of urine, it can often be determined whether someone has contracted a condition.
Incontinence Associated Dermatitis
Urine mainly comes into contact with the skin during unwanted urine loss, or incontinence. This can be caused by damage to the nervous system or problems around the bladder, for example due to damaged or weak sphincter muscles. The result is that you lose urine at the most unwanted times. Wet and damp skin, as a result incontinence, gives bacteria and fungi space to attack the skin. This process is enhanced by ammonia, a uric acid that increases itching and irritation and hinders skin recovery.
Inflammation of the skin due to incontinence is also called incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). You will notice this by white soft skin, comparable to your hands that have been in contact with water for a long time. Without treatment, the skin will become increasingly red and subsequently cause wounds. Older people suffer from this more often. Their skin is thinner, less supple and less oily. Consequence? Skin recovery takes longer because the natural protective layer is damaged or reduced.
How do I treat my skin for incontinence?
If urine remains in contact with the skin for some time, it can irritate and lead to serious skin complications. This process is enhanced when the area on the body is warm and moist. If your skin comes into contact with moisture for a long time, the skin cells swell. This disrupts the skin structure and makes it vulnerable to dirt and harmful micro-organisms. Good hygiene is therefore very important. Clean and dry the skin regularly. Do not use soap, because the pH value of the skin must remain balanced.
Sometimes it can also help to use a detergent or fabric softener without soap when washing. Finally, ointment offers a solution. Choose a zinc ointment. It protects and repairs the skin effectively.
Incontinence material
Skin damage is also prevented by using good incontinence material. Incontinence material consists of different layers, each of which fulfills a different function. The top layer in particular is important in preventing skin damage. This layer allows moisture to pass through and therefore ensures that the skin does not remain so wet. The urine is absorbed in the next layer. Many materials contain an extra absorbent layer that is able to absorb the odor and convert the urine into a kind of jelly, causing the wet spot to disappear.
It is recommended to regularly replace the incontinence material, because the material can only absorb a maximum amount of urine loss. There are now bladder sensors on the market. These are stuck on the abdomen like a kind of plaster. The sensor will send a signal when urine loss threatens to occur. This way, the incontinence material needs to be replaced less often.