Who uses barrier creams?

[cantwait]

How have your experiences with barrier creams been? I’ve been thinking about trying them out. Do you use them every day? Do you just use them at night or when you’re going to be wet for a long period of time?

Are they worth using? It seems like they are hard to clean off the skin.

 

[mickdl]

So I personally don't think much of these creams - at least not the ones that are based on an oil emulsion, and most of them are. There is a pretty good spray from 3M (Cavilon) that works on a different principle and I use it when I have skin problems - but normally I don't need it.

Regular change and a product that little rewets is much more important. I'm always amazed when I read that some try to keep up with super thick diapers a whole day. I change the latest after four hours - except when the diaper is actually still dry.

With the creams I have not had good experiences. I have the impression that they clog the skin pores and the thing then sometimes only gets worse. I think barrier creams are more useful for fecal incontinence because the stool can attack the skin much more. Urine is actually only problematic when ammonia arises, exactly for this reason is also the regular change so important.

 

[hbic60]

I won't raise this question unless you have a problems with your skin. As long as everything is fine I see no reason to put anything on it! I can only speak about bladder incontinence - I have to wear diapers 24/7, I usually change once over the day (so I need 2 daytime diapers and one night diaper), and longest I stay dry is about 3 hours - so mostly over the time I'm wet. I use good quality CF diapers (breathable), have still my body hairs - and no issues with my skin at all, so I see no reason to add anything which also could stress it, depending on perfume or additional chemicals!

 

[Poobear]

I use regularly at night, its worth it if you have sensitive skin or just use a general purpose dry skin body cream. or baby powder. I get it as my partner insists on it, cause babies get baby things.

 

[hbic60]

I use regularly at night, its worth it if you have sensitive skin or just use a general purpose dry skin body cream. or baby powder. I get it as my partner insists on it, cause babies get baby things.

Inappropriate comment in IC Forum!!

 

[jdinvirginia]

If your skin becomes irritated and you need (emphasis on the word "need") something to prevent a rash, a barrier cream is necessary and works well.

Emphasis is on prevention. If you are able, wash with a washcloth or wipe at every diaper change. Try to "air out" the diaper area daily (I do). Use a hand-held mirror for self-inspection to detect pre-rash irritation in hard-to-see areas. If there is irritation, use a barrier cream.

For pre-rash irritation, almost any skin lotion will help. I like coconut oil as it is a thin layer that is easy to apply and is easily removable. If the irritation does not go away, I apply Desitin (any diaper rash cream will help). If you need a heavier barrier, look for any barrier cream with zinc oxide. The greater the percentage of zinc oxide, the heavier (and thicker) the barrier cream. The thicker creams are necessary only if you are bowel incontinent (I am). They can be difficult to apply and remove.

Be patient. You may see improvement in 24 hours but a rash may take days to disappear. If it does not disappear (or at least significantly improve) in four days, call your doctor.

Finally, yes, they can be a bother to apply and remove, particularly the thicker ones. However, if you reallly need them ...

 

[newt]

I agree with @mickdl about the 3M Cavilon. It has been my go to for years. I have had no rash problems since I started using it. I don't use a lot of it, just a bit of it during most changes. For me its light, doesn't get everywhere, and does its job well. I don't bring it to work, so i don't use it for changes then, but usually in the morning and most changes at home. So for me, its definitely worth using, especially since its not hard to deal with and clean off. But everyone's skin is different. What is a miracle product for some of us can just as easily be horrible for another.

for me it is completely different from thicker creams like destin, which I never use unless it is absolutely necessary. But I am also only bladder incontinent so I don't need more protection that may be necessary with fecal incontinence.

 

[CheshireCat]

My perineum and anus is compromised because of radiation, so it can inflame and bleed easily and quickly. Desitin Daily Defense works wonders at keeping things calm. Asked my urologist if there was anything better that he would recommend, and he said if the Desitin works, use it.

 

[SparkyDog]

It's kind of a case by case basis

if you keep very good care of your skin. Change often & clean your skin between changes you likely won't need a barrier cream. It's really designed to be a barrier as the name implies haha. If you have sensitive skin, going longer between changes / cleaning I recommend barrier cream.
If you change often and clean and use powder / zinc cream and have no skin issues you can likely pass on the barrier cream.

I change & clean frequently but will use Barriere Silicone Cream in summer months because I sweat a lot. Sweat & urine and my skin don't gel too well.

I apply with a glove as it's rather slippery cream and bit of a pain to wash off.
I apply to entire area where diaper covers except the anus that only gets zinc cream.

You can get small tubes and try it out if it helps & no skin reactions.

 

[Zeke]

I’ve been successfully using Remedy Skin Care Cream for normal use and a zinc oxide ointment for when any diaper rash symptoms raise their ugly head. Since I’m dual ic I use either of them primarily on my derrière, and especially in my interglutial cleft to prevent rash symptoms from contact with feces.

 

[nappyman60]

Here in the uk I use bepanthen cream most days and sudocrem if I think I have a rash developing.

 

[Edgewater]

I have long switched between a cream and a paste with the difference measured more it their general thickness. As being only U-IC, I use a barrier at night as that is my longest period without changing. I use a powder during the day and also at night.

With everyone being different and as a result with different needs. One needs to be willing change what one is using depending on time of year and how often one changes. And, yes, cleaning well and airing out between changes is very important.

 

[Napincolove]

I use Sudocrem on a daily basis as it works for me, nowadays I only have PUL pants so using any of the oil based creams is okay, if I get the slightest hint of a rash I will dose that with Metanium or second choice is Bepanthen both of which clear it up very quickly, but be warned most of the usual creams such as above will kill vinyl pants on contact.