Prevail Conversations Blog

Skin Health and Incontinence Part 2:

Once the skin begins to break down you will begin to develop dermatitis in the perianal area.  In infants this is referred to as diaper rash.  With adults it is often referred to as perineal dermatitis, contact dermatitis, heat rash, moisture associated skin damage, irritant dermatitis and incontinence associated dermatitis.

Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) is constant exposure with urine and fecal matter in the perineal area causing inflammation to the skin. As the skin begins to breakdown you begin to lose the protective barrier your skin provides.  While hydrating our bodies from the inside is essential to life, but when epidermis is in contact with moisture for extended period of time skin damage occurs and the result is IAD.  Often IAD is treated as a pressure ulcer. To better understand IAD below you will find the etiology and characteristics of incontinence associated dermatitis.

The etiology of IAD is based on 3 principals and their determining factors are:

-Tissue Tolerance including your age, health, hydration and nutritional status, oxygenation, perfusion and body temperature

-Perineal Environment including urine/fecal incontinence and volume of output,

Chafing and irritants (creams, ointments etc that are unnecessary)

-Toileting Ability including mobility, sensory perception and cognitive awareness (ability to know when to go and how to get there)

Physical characteristics of IAD related to urine and fecal incontinence are the following:

-Inflammation of surface of skin

-Redness, edema (swelling) areas may appear patchy or consolidated (located in the labia majoria (vaginal area) on women or scrotum of men)

-Erosion and dehydration of superficial layers of skin

People often relate the feeling of IAD to a burn on the skin.  It is often itchy, burning, and/or tingling.  The longer the skin is exposed to the urine/stool the more it affects the area and increases breakdown.  To help prevent IAD a consistent skin care program is necessary.  Use a premoist wash cloth, like Prevail adult washcloths to clean after incontinence episodes.  Avoid scrubbing the area and only gently wash the area.  See the other articles on proper Peri Care listed on the Prevail website.

Once the skin begins to break down you will begin to develop dermatitis in the perianal area.  In infants this is referred to as diaper rash.  With adults it is often referred to as perineal dermatitis, contact dermatitis, heat rash, moisture associated skin damage, irritant dermatitis and incontinence associated dermatitis.

Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) is constant exposure with urine and fecal matter in the perineal area causing inflammation to the skin. As the skin begins to breakdown you begin to lose the protective barrier your skin provides.  While hydrating our bodies from the inside is essential to life, but when epidermis is in contact with moisture for extended period of time skin damage occurs and the result is IAD.  Often IAD is treated as a pressure ulcer. To better understand IAD below you will find the etiology and characteristics of incontinence associated dermatitis.

The etiology of IAD is based on 3 principals and their determining factors are:

• Tissue Tolerance including your age, health, hydration and nutritional status, oxygenation, perfusion and body temperature
• Perineal Environment including urine/fecal incontinence and volume of output, Chafing and irritants (creams, ointments etc that are unnecessary)
• Toileting Ability including mobility, sensory perception and cognitive awareness (ability to know when to go and how to get there)

Physical characteristics of IAD related to urine and fecal incontinence are the following:

• Inflammation of surface of skin
• Redness, edema (swelling) areas may appear patchy or consolidated (located in the labia majoria (vaginal area) on women or scrotum of men)
• Erosion and dehydration of superficial layers of skin

People often relate the feeling of IAD to a burn on the skin.  It is often itchy, burning, and/or tingling.  The longer the skin is exposed to the urine/stool the more it affects the area and increases breakdown.  To help prevent IAD a consistent skin care program is necessary.  Use a premoist wash cloth, like Prevail adult washcloths to clean after incontinence episodes.  Avoid scrubbing the area and only gently wash the area.  See the other articles on proper Peri Care listed on the Prevail website.