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This is the first in a three-part series about Skin Health and Incontinence.

The Integumentary system or better known as the skin is the largest organ in the body. The hair, nails, glands (sweat) and specialized nerve receptors for stimuli (touch, cold, heat, pain and pressure) are accessories of the Integumentary system. The skin protects the internal organs from the environment. It also protects our immune system by protecting us from disease. To understand better to protect your skin you must understand how it works.

Subcutaneous, dermis and epidermis make up the 3 layers of the skin. The subcutaneous is the home of blood vessels and nerves, meaning it is the deepest layer. This area regulates the body’s temperature and also is a shock absorber for our bodies.

Dermis is the middle layer of the skin; it’s composed of collagen, elastic tissue, and reticular fibers. The dermis thickness varies on the location of the body, meaning thin on eyelids and thicker on your back. Tiny blood vessels, hair follicles, lymph vessels, and nerve endings that detect pain make up the dermis.

Epidermis is the outer most layer of skin which we see. There are 3 parts to the epidermis: Stratum Corneum, Keratinocytes (squamous cells), Basal layer. The epidermis protects from foreign objects entering into the body. This layer of the skin also
contains keratin which keeps skin elastic and protects underlying from drying out. Maintaining and protecting the Epidermis is important for everyone, but with an incontent person it needs to be a priority. If we neglect to take care of the out part of

the skin it will breakdown, causing damage to the dermis and subcutaneous level of the skin. Completing proper peri care with every incontinence episode maintains healthy skin. Using proper peri cleansers, creams and incontinence products are pertinent to maintaining health skin.

Next month Types of Peri-area Dermitis.

There are a variety of incontinent products on the market today.  Determining what’s right for you or your family member can be challenging.  By understanding the levels of incontinence and function of the products available, you will have the knowledge to choose the appropriate product.

Products are broken down into levels of incontinence:

• Light is a dribble of urine, which often occurs during sneezing, coughing, laughing, and exercise.
• Moderate is feeling the urge to urinate but muscles can’t hold and often do not make it to restroom.
• Heavy is complete loss of bladder control.

Now that you understand the levels of incontinence, below are the types of products available.  Types of products range from being placed on objects to protect them, placed in personal underpants to full adult disposable protective underwear and briefs.

• Underpads are disposable pads that can be placed on chairs, beds, or other surfaces to protect against incontinent accidents.
• Pant Liners are designed to be worn in your undergarments.  They are designed for a very light dribble.  This can occur with sneezing, laughing, coughing and exercise.
• Bladder Control Pads range in absorbency from light to heavy.  They are to be worn inside your undergarments.  The pads length and thickness vary with the level of absorbency.
• Protective Underwear is designed for moderate to heavy incontinence.  They are to be worn as your undergarment and are disposable.
• Briefs are for moderate to heavy incontinence, including bladder and bowel.  The key factor with briefs is to have the correct size on.  Leakage can be a problem if a product is applied with the incorrect size.

All disposable products should be changed after each bladder void and bowel movement for infection control and recommended product usage.

Products are available for all levels of incontinence and personal preferences.  Understanding the levels of incontinence educates you to make the right product selection for your needs.

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