Incontinence skin protection made easy
By Dr. Harikrishna K. Ragavan Nair
Head of Wound Care Unit, Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Did you know that skin is the largest organ of the human body? With a total area of approximately 20 square feet, consisting of three interconnected layers – epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous, the skin fulfils a variety of vital functions for the human body, but it does not always get the attention it deserves.
Among the many functions, the skin acts as a protective barrier between the body and the external environment. Therefore, any damage to the skin can compromise the barrier and lead to a range of effects, including discomfort, increased risk of infection and in some severe cases, skin breakdown.
The occurrence of skin breakdown is fairly common and may lead to a wide range of potentially serious and debilitating complications. Among the most challenging and concerning causes of skin breakdown is actually incontinence. Prevention of skin breakdown in these situations requires excellent management of the predisposing cause and protection for vulnerable skin. Ideally, skin protectants need to be effective, easy and comfortable to apply, long lasting and most importantly, cost effective.
What Is Incontinence?
Incontinence is a medical condition and a set of diseases that defines any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or feces from the bowel (fecal incontinence). According to the Global Forum on Incontinence, this condition affects between 4% to 8% of the population or the lives of almost 400 million people worldwide.
Despite the high prevalence and the social and economic implications of the condition, incontinence is still not a priority on the health and social policy and stakeholder agenda worldwide. Inadequate or poor management of incontinence can eventually result in a loss of patient dignity, prolonged hospital stay as well as increased patient care costs.
How Incontinence Affects the Skin
Fecal and urinary incontinence leaves the aging population at risk for impaired skin integrity. Prolonged exposure to urine and feces is one of the most common causes of skin breakdown and it makes the skin more susceptible to injuries.
Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD)
Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis is a common condition related to incontinence. Also widely known as perineal dermatitis or diaper rash, this medical condition affects all age groups from infancy to old age.
IAD is predominantly a chemical irritation resulting from feces or urine coming in contact with the skin. Enzymes from feces and Ammonia from urine can disrupt the acid mantel of the skin and eventually cause the skin to break down.
The affected area will present with erythema (reddening of the skin), as well as maceration. The area may progress to painful partial-thickness erosions with weepy serous exudate. If left untreated, pressure and friction may increase stress on the affected area, leading to skin breakdown. Depending on the areas exposed to urine and stool, IAD is not necessarily limited to the perineal area, and can extend up onto the lower back or down onto the inner thighs.
While urinary incontinence may lead to IAD, it is much more common in individuals with fecal incontinence or mixed urinary and fecal incontinence. Therefore, maintaining skin integrity is crucial in cases of incontinence. For patients whose skin is regularly exposed to irritant bodily fluids such as urine or faeces, protection is required and a product that acts as a protective is highly recommended.
3M Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream
The 3M Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is specially formulated to create a barrier to protect your skin from bodily fluids such as urine and feces while also moisturizing the affected parts. Having dimethicone and acrylate terpolymer as the main active ingredients, they form a thin but yet durable protective barrier on the skin, which is vital in preventing skin breakdown.
By preventing over-hydration of the skin’s outer layer (epidermis), the 3M Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream lowers the risk of further skin damages due to incontinence, such as sores, erythema, inflammation, erosion and maceration. Being a highly concentrated cream, it provides long-lasting protection from bodily fluids for up to three to four washes without the need for frequent reapplication. It can also be used in conjunction with moisture retentive adhesive dressings that promote healing, such as transparent film and hydrocolloids.
3M Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is clinically proven to reduce Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD) and is the healthcare professionals’ first choice to protect skin from damage caused by incontinence.
