Successfully managing incontinence-related irritant dermatitis across the lifespan

The management of irritant dermatitis caused by incontinence is not always an easy patient care problem to solve. A brief review of the literature demonstrated that irritant dermatitis from body fluids is either not an issue in the healthcare arena or that only a few individuals have recognized it as a healthcare concern. Many products are used to treat this type of dermatitis, yet this can be a very challenging problem for the clinician and painful problem for the patient. It is imperative for healthcare providers to be aware of the effects of stool and urine on the skin, how products interact with body waste, and how to manage this problem properly.