[give_form id="19690"]

Ask The Doc: Which barrier creams will protect my Skin without damaging My absorbent product?

QUESTION: I’VE BEEN IN ADULT TAPED BRIEFS FOR A WHILE NOW. I HAVE TO USE A BARRIER CREAM TO KEEP RASHES AWAY, BUT SOMETIMES I FIND THAT THE CREAM DISSOLVES THE ELASTIC IN THE DIAPER. THE END RESULT? LEAKS. BABY OIL DOES THE SAME THING, TOO. WHICH CREAMS protect my Skin without damaging My absorbent product or WORK WITH WHICH ADULT BRIEFS?

ANSWER

The first thing we should do is look to see if we can understand the root cause of the rashes you’re trying to keep away. Why are they there in the first place? Is it due to the quality and type of brief you’re wearing? Remember: Not all briefs are created equal – some of them can be very absorbent, pulling the liquid away and keeping the skin dry. This significantly reduces the need for barrier creams, because there’s no longer any excess liquid to protect against.

As far as the creams go, they’re not all created equal, either. The zinc oxide concentration and other active ingredients can range in concentration, and that could contribute to the way they interact with your briefs.

My recommendation? Start by focusing on your briefs. The market today is filled with dozens of different options – varying sizes, styles, absorbency and more – and there’s a real chance that there’s a better product just waiting for you to discover it.

Once you’re confident that you’ve found the right product for you, it’s time to look more closely at barrier creams. Some patients discover that once they have a properly fitting and functioning tapered brief, they no longer need a barrier cream at all – just a simple moisturizing cream designed specifically for incontinent individuals.

But if it turns out that you still do need a barrier cream, don’t get discouraged if the first one (or two, or three) that you try don’t do the trick. With all the variety out there, you’ll quickly learn what works and what doesn’t.

Which barrier creams will protect my Skin without damaging My absorbent product?

AskTheDoc logo
The NAFC Ask The Doc series provides answers to some of our reader’s most common questions from a group of experts in the fields of urology, pelvic floor health, bowel health, and absorbent products. Do you have a question you’d like answered? Click here to Ask The Doc!

Comments

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

An older couple smiling and talking in a laundry room, with the man holding a coffee mug and managing male stress incontinence, while the woman holds a stack of folded towels.

Managing Male Bladder Leaks in Everyday Life: A Practical Guide to Comfort, Fit, and Discretion

A few drops after leaving the bathroom. Leakage when you cough or lift something. A sudden urge that makes it difficult to reach the restroom in time.
Bladder leaks can show up in different ways, and even a small leak may change how you feel about a commute, a meeting, a walk, or a night away from home. Understanding your pattern of leakage can help you find both appropriate medical care and a daily routine that works for you.

An elderly couple sits on a cozy couch, snuggled under a blanket. Smiling and relaxed with a TV remote, they feel confident thanks to discreet bladder leak pads. Framed art and pillows decorate the background.

Ask The Expert: How Can I Manage The Odors, Furniture Stains & Skin Irritation With Leaks?

Helping a loved one manage heavy to severe incontinence can be physically and emotionally demanding, and it’s natural to worry about whether you’re doing enough to support and protect them. While incontinence is often unpredictable, there are many practical steps you can take to maintain your loved one’s comfort, dignity and well-being while also protecting your home from unexpected accidents.

An older man walking on a golf course holds a club. Text promotes Elitone for Men, an FDA-cleared device for pelvic floor activation after prostate surgery—an innovative alternative to traditional incontinence products.

Male Stress Urinary Incontinence After Prostate Treatment: Why Early Action Matters

Male stress urinary incontinence is one of the most common challenges men face after prostate surgery or radiation. While the primary focus is understandably on treating cancer, many men find that bladder leakage becomes the most persistent issue during recovery.
After cancer control, regaining bladder control is often the next priority. Until continence improves, it can be difficult to return to normal daily activities, and many men focus on this before addressing other aspects of recovery, including sexual function.

An older couple smiling and talking in a laundry room, with the man holding a coffee mug and managing male stress incontinence, while the woman holds a stack of folded towels.

Managing Male Bladder Leaks in Everyday Life: A Practical Guide to Comfort, Fit, and Discretion

A few drops after leaving the bathroom. Leakage when you cough or lift something. A sudden urge that makes it difficult to reach the restroom in time.
Bladder leaks can show up in different ways, and even a small leak may change how you feel about a commute, a meeting, a walk, or a night away from home. Understanding your pattern of leakage can help you find both appropriate medical care and a daily routine that works for you.

Free WEBINAR On IBD!

Join us for a FREE Webinar on Navigating Your First Years With IBD, Presented by Dr. Erin Forster.