The Use of Barrier Cloths in the Treatment of Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD)

There are several patients with severe incontinence associated dermatitis that could not be helped with any of our skin care products.  These patients often have moisture control problems, i.e. fecal management systems with leakage,  foley catheters with leakage,  increased temperature on the skin, along with pressure ulcer drainage that is not always captured with a dressing.  The skin then becomes so denuded from frequent cleansing that it is not only painful to the patient but frustrating for the staff to keep the patient clean while applying a skin care treatment.

We decided to take the worst case of dermatitis in the hospital to trial the barrier cloths.  The patient had this condition since February 2009.  No amount of cleansing, containment of moisture or creams could change the condition of the skin and it continued to deteriorate.  We trialed the all-in-one barrier cloths that are premoistened  for perineal cleansing, moisturizing, deodorizing and protecting.  Within two weeks the patient had almost cleared up the partial thickness breakdown and excoriation.  The staff was impressed with the ease of keeping this patient clean and the reward in improvement of his skin condition.  We could not believe that skin in such a condition could be regenerated to a healthy state so quickly and efficiently. 

Our protective barrier creams and protocols for skin integrity are adequate for 95% of the population, but for the 5 % with intractable skin issues, an all-in-one continence barrier cloths would be beneficial.