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Home > Library > Treating Adult Diaper Rash
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Treating adult diaper rash can be difficult at best, time consuming and embarrassing for the individual receiving treatment as well as awkward for the one providing the treatment. It is very important to attend to the affected skin rash as quickly as possible as to not cause further skin damage and to prevent the problem from becoming increasingly more difficult to treat.
The first step in treating adult diaper rash is to catch it as early as possible. The earlier you treat the rash, the faster the cure. When someone develops diaper rash, it is recommended to discontinue the use of cloth diapers if they are being used. It is best that you switch to the disposable adult pullups or diaper briefs.
It is also important to use a good quality diaper product that has a good absorbancy rating. The reason that disposable diapers are preferable is because they are designed to wick damaging and irritating moisture away from the skin. This is known as wicking. This process reduces skin damage form moisture, which cloth diapers are unable to do. Cloth diapers can actually increase heat inside the diaper which encourages skin sores and growth of bacteria.
You want to make sure that the diaper that you choose is well fitting, good quality, does not create friction and is comfortable. One alternative to buying more expensive products is to use a "Diaper Doubler." The "Diaper Doubler" is a liner which adds absorbency to disposable briefs, pull ups or undergarments for extended protection.
To treat diaper rash, the first step is to clean and pat dry the affected area and then determine the course of action you want to take. There are many options available from salt baths, to ointments, creams and home remedies. After you clean the skin, and pat it dry, it is recommended that you use an ointment like Remedy Calazime that contains high zinc oxide. You should not use baby powder or corn starch products as they tend to collect moisture and allow bacteria to breed. You should make sure you attend to any additional diaper changes in the evening, and at night. By being diligent about changing diapers, you will decrease your chances of making the rash worse and promote healing.
In treating adult diaper rash it is important that the skin is kept clean. You can do this by making sure that the individual takes baths two times a day using warm water which will allow more blood flow in the area of the rash, and promote healing. You could also try taking a sitz bath twice daily as well for 15- 20 minutes, which is where an individual sits in warm bath water up to the hips in order to relieve any pain or discomfort they may be having. It is recommended that bath salts and special soaps be avoided as to not irritate the skin and cause it to break open. However you may use 2 tablespoons of baking soda in the water to help ease the pain and promote healing.
Treating adult diaper rash with air time allowing the patient to have no contact with a diaper can also speed up recovery time. It is recommended, if you can, also use a blow-dryer very cautiously on a low setting to decrease moisture. The individual should be using an under pad to absorb leakage while in bed or while sitting on a chair. Other natural treatments that are available are honey and tea tree oil which act as a antibacterial and antifungal. You could also try bag balm or witch hazels extract as other options in treating adult diaper rash.
Caregivers should encourage their patients to increase fluid intake of cranberry juice and water which will make their urine more concentrated and less irritating to their skin. You should expect the usual diaper rash to clear up within 3-4 days, with proper care. However if it lasts longer than a week it could have developed into a more serious skin condition like a bacteria, yeast, atopic dermatitis, or other serious conditions.
Either way treating adult diaper rash is very important to the persons overall health, so that it doesn't worsen and become an uncomfortable, embarrassing serious health condition.
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