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OpenMind Asked January 2020

Seeking advice on products and skin care/cleaning practices for male incontinence.

My DH with AZ recently has developed urinary incontinence. I want to provide the very best of care and cleaning for him with each change of his disposables. Being a newbie to this level of personal care for a grown man, I could use the expert advice from this forum with respect to best practices for cleaning his groin area. I am looking for products and techniques to use that are comfortable and warm for him and that will prevent rashes or much worse. Thank you!

Kenai Jan 2020
We are using Ultraflex self adhering external catheters from Bard. It empties into a bag which can be attached to the leg. It works great! Check it out on the computer.
OpenMind Jan 2020
Thank you for this suggestion. It’s an option that I hadn’t considered. Good to know about it.
JoAnn29 Jan 2020
I recommend Huggie Wipes. If they are good enough for babies...
They are larger and thicker than ordinary wipes.

I would recommend Desitin over A & D. I found with my babies A&D disappeared. Desitin seems to stay put better. But I have heard good about A&D and bad about Desitin. The one good thing about Desitin, redness and rashes seem to clear up faster. My Mom had a problem between her tummy and the crease where the top of her leg met. I would try to dry it real well but she seemed to still get red there. Desitin cleared it right up. You can buy any of these ointments in small tubes so u can experiment.
OpenMind Jan 2020
Thank you for this recommendation. I remember using Desitin with our children. It did work well on their delicate skin. Worth a try!

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bluefinspirit Jan 2020
OpenMind,
The "drying out" time can also be an enjoyable experience for the both of you. ;-)

bluefinspirit Jan 2020
Please no BenGay! 😲 😉

I have no experience other than with my children (now young adults) and their diaper rash. But I am a man in my 50's who will occasionally get jock itch. The key to prevention is to keep the area dry for as long as possible. Don't immediately apply ointments or creams and put a disposable back on after a change. Let the "boys" air out, so to speak.

After the skin is thoroughly dry, you can try a 1% hydrocortisone cream and then zinc oxide ointment. A rash and irritation could also be fungal, so if symptoms
don't go away, try applying an antifungal lotion, spray, or gel.

Since your DH is incontinent, it'll take a bit of observation and planning on your part. Take him to the bathroom every two hours or so. If he goes, then clean him up and let him air out for 30 min or so. I have no idea if this is even possible, since I don't know your age or the level of your DH's AD, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt.

Good luck!
OpenMind Jan 2020
Thank you for this valuable advice. DH is mid-stage AZ so requires a good bit of assistance from me in this regard as he does with clothing changes too. Thankfully, he is cooperative with me re: what needs to be done for his personal care. We are both retired and live in our own home, so I can think creatively about working in the "drying out" time. It does make good sense.
Ahmijoy Jan 2020
I do personal hygiene for my husband, too. Like Peewee, I use the non-rinse cleanser from Amazon. I buy it by the gallon. I also purchased a large bag of what amounts to wash rags from Lowe’s. They’re painter’s rags but they are terry cloth. I like them more than wipes and just a caution, even if the wipes say “flushable”, don’t flush them. I use a plastic grocery bag to dispose of the used brief and wipes.

Also, use a barrier cream to prevent rashes before they start. I use Desitin, Pinxav, A &D and adult barrier cream I get at Walgreens.
OpenMind Jan 2020
Thank you so much. One additional Question: Does the barrier cream wash off easily with the cleanser when it comes time for the next cleansing?
PeeWee57 Jan 2020
My mother has bladder incontinence. I use a no-rinse perianal cleanser (available through Amazon) in a small tub of warm water for washing her, using a microfiber cloth (they're much softer than regular washcloths). The cleanser has a light, fresh scent that eliminates urine odors between disposable brief changes. I've been using the cleanser for over a year now, and have had no problem with rashes, etc., and she has had no UTIs.

For bowel incontinence, I use standard baby wipes, following up with the perianal cleanser solution.
OpenMind Jan 2020
Thank you so much! Do you use a barrier cream too or do you find that unnecessary with consistent washing?

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