For many, summer means enjoying the warmer weather and soaking up some sunshine - safely of course! If you’re experiencing incontinence, you too can still enjoy the hot days and balmy nights, however, it’s important to make sure you’re taking extra care of your skin to avoid any seasonal irritation.

Developing skin conditions like rashes from chafing can be more common in summer, while incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD) can be worsened by the heat. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to minimise risk of skin irritation.

Read on for our tips to make sure your skin stays cool, comfortable and irritation-free this summer!

Keep Skin Clean

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it can be easily overlooked!

Keeping your skin clean is a must for any incontinence skin care regime, but especially in hot weather as it creates a warm, humid environment that bacteria thrive in. 

Clean the skin adequately in the bath or shower with a pH-balanced, fragrance-free wash for sensitive skin, and keep some hypoallergenic wet wipes handy for cleaning before changes if you’re out of the house. Afterwards, pat the area dry with a clean and dry cloth, towel or wipe. Just make sure the material is soft and gentle.

Changing your incontinence aid as soon as it’s used lessens the amount of time your skin will be in touch with any bacteria or chemicals from urine and/or stool, so be sure to change as frequently as required.

Keep Skin Dry

Higher temperatures outside mean a rise in our own body temperature, which results in sweating. Since incontinence aids are made of waterproof materials and built to lock in liquid, these products not only protect you from leaks or accidents but also trap body heat and sweat.

This extra moisture from sweat isn’t ideal for the skin, as extended contact with moist or damp environments can cause it to soften, swell and/or wrinkle - which you might have seen before on your fingers if you’ve ever stayed in the bath or pool for too long!

These are all things that make skin more susceptible to damage from friction (from things like fabric rubbing against your skin), chemical irritants (such as those in urine or faeces), or even bacteria or microbes that thrive in damp environments.

Make sure you keep your skin dry by changing your continence aid as soon as it becomes wet, and make sure to dry your skin before changing, and after showering or swimming.

Use a Barrier Cream

A barrier cream is a great item to have in your incontinence skin care arsenal all year round, but it’s an especially great item to have in the summer months.

As well as making your skin more susceptible to damage and irritation, excess moisture from sweat or wet incontinence aids can cause problems like redness, rashes, peeling or infection. A barrier cream works by creating a protective barrier on top of the skin to help keep irritants away from the skin’s surface and provide a physical layer to reduce the risk of any rashes or chafing caused by friction. Think of it like a sealant for your skin!

Most barrier creams contain water-repelling ingredients like dimethicone or silicone and redness-reducing ingredients like zinc oxide. Follow the instructions on the label for your chosen barrier cream, but as a general rule of thumb, less is more! Make sure you apply a thin, even layer to the area to clean, dry skin.

Use Products for Sensitive Skin

Perineal skin is quite sensitive and susceptible to damage, so it’s important to use cleansers, moisturisers and sealants that are pH-balanced, soap-free and intended for use on sensitive or intimate areas.

Avoid using scented soaps, powders or moisturisers in this area, and make sure you steer clear of products that contain alcohol as it can dry out the skin too much or irritate already damaged or broken skin.

Wear Breathable Continence Aids That Fit Well

To reduce the uncomfortable feeling of having your continence aids lock in body heat and sweat, make sure the product you choose is made of light, breathable material and fits comfortably to the body. 

Our Dailee range of pads, guards, pull-ups and slips are all dermatologically tested to reduce the risk of skin irritation, and are made with lightweight materials that allow the skin to breathe. They’re all latex-free, too!

Wearing the wrong size of incontinence aid can also lead to unwanted skin irritation, so be sure to check if your product is right for you and your needs.

If you’re not sure what size or absorbency level or fit you need, you can always take our quick and easy Help Me Choose quiz for a range of options tailored to your needs, or contact us to speak to our product specialists who can give their recommendations.