Faecal Incontinence: Cleanser vs Soap and Water

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a common and painful condition for patients experiencing faecal incontinence. Of course, it’s important to keep the affected area clean to help keep the patient comfortable and improve the IAD symptoms. But is it better to treat and prevent IAD with soap and water, or is it better to use a specialised cleanser? Let’s find out. 

What is faecal incontinence?

Faecal incontinence, also known as bowel incontinence, is the inability to control bowel movements, which can lead to unintentional stool leakage. In layman’s terms, not being able to control when you poo. It can range from the occasional leakage of stool, for instance while passing gas, to a complete loss of bowel control.

There are various things that can cause faecal incontinence, from muscle or nerve damage to chronic constipation and other health conditions. The condition can significantly impact daily life, leading to physical discomfort and emotional distress.

What is IAD?

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a type of irritant contact dermatitis that occurs due to prolonged exposure to urine or faeces. It’s also classed as a type of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), where the skin is damaged from being exposed to moisture for long periods of time. 

Patients with IAD will usually have red, inflamed, and swollen skin around the genital area and anus. If the condition has progressed, they may have blisters or signs of skin erosion. If the patient has had IAD for a shorter period of time, the skin may appear wet and macerated, while those with chronic IAD may have severely dry and peeling skin in the affected area. 

When a patient has IAD, the skin's integrity is compromised, making it more susceptible to further irritation and damage. It can affect a patient’s quality of life, causing a lot of pain. 

Faecal incontinence treatment: why cleanser is best

It was once believed that you could care for IAD by washing the area with soap and water. However, this is no longer the standard practice. While soap and water might seem like a straightforward solution for cleansing the skin, it’s not effective for treating and preventing IAD. Soap can be harsh and drying, stripping the skin of its natural oils and disrupting its protective barrier. Frequent washing with soap and water can also alter the skin's pH balance, leading to further irritation and dryness. This can make IAD symptoms worse, which is why medical professionals now use specific incontinence cleansers.

The Medi Derma-PRO Foam & Spray Incontinence Cleanser is formulated to be more gentle on the skin, maintaining its natural barrier while effectively cleansing and protecting it. It’s pH-balanced and free from harsh chemicals that can dry out or irritate the skin.

With a no-rinse formulation, cleansers minimise the need to rub damaged skin, preventing further damage caused by friction, as well as pain and discomfort for the patient. When used alongside the Medi Derma-PRO Ointment, it can provide long lasting moisture protection by forming a hydrophobic protective barrier. 

Medicareplus carried out two studies to compare Medi Derma-PRO cleanser (combined with Medi Derma-PRO ointment) to soap and water.

Study 1

In study one, the products were used for 12 elderly nursing home residents with faecal incontinence. It was found that Medi Derma-PRO:

• Prevents skin deterioration
• Reduces carer time and costs by around £26 per patient per week in 2024 (£15 per patient per week in 2007)
• Is more cost-effective

Study 2

In study 2, Medi Derma-PRO was used for 19 elderly care home residents with faecal incontinence. They found that Medi Derma-PRO:

• Helps to significantly reduce erythema and paid
• Is more cost effective
• Reduces carer time and costs by £85 per patient per year

Treat and prevent IAD with cleanser

Using specialised cleansers and ointments is far more effective for treating IAD than soap and water — which, as we’ve seen, can actually cause more harm than good. By gently cleansing, moisturising, and protecting the skin, these products can help manage and prevent the painful symptoms of IAD, helping to provide a better quality of life for affected patients. 

You can purchase Medicareplus’ specialised incontinence cleanser Medi Derma-PRO here, loved by healthcare professionals in the UK.