Clean, Moisturize and Protect Skin to Reduce Risk of Ulcers

Clean, Moisturize and Protect Skin to
Reduce Risk of Ulcers

If you are, or you care for someone who is, incontinent, it is important to clean, moisturize, and protect the skin to reduce the risk of ulcers. 

What are ulcers?

An ulcer is a sore on the skin. It typically starts as an irritation, or reddening to an area, and can lead to disintegration of tissue, loss of epidermis, dermis, and even subcutaneous fat.

Ulcers are most common in the lower extremities, and in the gastrointestinal tracts. They can become infected, and pus and a mucous membrane can form. They are sometimes referred to as pressure sores or bed sores.

What causes them?

Prolonged exposure to heat, cold, wetness, an irritation of some kind, poor blood circulation, lack of mobility, and prolonged pressure to the tissues (such as sitting in one position for an extended period of time), can cause skin ulcers.

There are a lot of factors that can lead to ulcers, poor circulation, and improper skin care in those that are bedridden, in wheelchairs. Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can also lead to skin ulcers. All of which are common reasons in incontinent individuals.

Fecal matter and urine contain enzymes, bacteria, and other components that can lead to infections and skin ulcers if the skin is not properly cared for. This requires cleaning well and with the right aids, moisturizing the skin, and protecting it to reduce risk.

Lantiseptic provides a great line of products to help with an ulcer treatment and prevention skin regimen. Learn more about these great products. 

1. Clean regularly with Lantiseptic No-Rinse Cleansing Foam. This foam is a pH balanced foam that helps keep the skin’s pH where it should be, promoting skin health. It is specially formulated for those with incontinence, making it a great aid in removing urine and fecal matter from the skin. It will not dry out the skin, or irritate it the way regular soap and water can do. Because those who are incontinent may need to wash the area many times a day, the “no rinse” feature helps reduce the amount of friction to the skin, again promoting better skin health.

2. Moisturize skin daily with Lantiseptic Dry Skin Therapy to help maintain moisture balance or to clear reddened skin. This is going to help skin that is no longer producing as much of the sebum and oils it regularly produces, and skin that is exposed to factors that might cause it to dry out, chaff, and crack to maintain a healthy moisture, and clear up rashes and irritation.

3. Protect as needed with Lantiseptic Skin Protectant to create a superior environment for the healing process. This is going to act as a barrier for the skin against the bacteria in fecal matter, and the wetness caused by incontinence.

Ulcers are dangerous, and can be very painful, thus the recommended ulcer prevention protocal from National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) advises these five steps:

1. Perform a head to toe skin assessment at least daily, especially checking pressure points.

2. Individualize bathing frequency. Use a mild cleansing. Avoid hot water and excessive rubbing.

3. When incontinence cannot be controlled, cleanse skin at time of soiling, and use a topical barrier to protect the skin.

4. Use moisturizers for dry skin.

5. Avoid massage over bony prominences.

For more great products to help manage incontinence, including incontinence skin care, visit our Incontinence Product Finder that can help you to quickly and easily sort through over 600 available products to find the options best suited to your needs.

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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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