Incontinence is a medical term for the involuntary excretion of urine or feces. It is more prevalent in women or the elderly, but it can happen to anyone at any stage. Liquid and super absorbent incontinence pads are the life savior for those suffering from this condition.
Choosing the right product can be a daunting task. That is why knowing about the advantages and disadvantages of reusable and single-time incontinent pads is imperative.
What are Incontinent Products and their Types?
Incontinent products help in managing incontinence. There are different options available but the most popular one is pads. It is designed to absorb moisture, keep the skin dry, and keep the liquid from leaking. Heavier pads also have a wetness indicator that shows if the patient needs to change it soon. Moreover, nighttime pads are worn for a longer duration of time.
Reusable and disposable liquid absorbent incontinent pads are designed based on absorbency and male or female design.
Choosing the Most Suitable Incontinence Pads
Keeping incontinence under control could become a difficult task, especially at night. A range of reliable incontinence pads and super absorbent underpads can be purchased according to the patient’s needs. Picking the right size and shape makes maintaining an utterly normal lifestyle more leisurely.
The new system allows better handling of irritation with breathable plastic film and helps control odor. This enhances the patient's comfort while moving around anywhere without any stress. But remember to select the one which can be worn easily even under normal clothing.
Reusable Incontinent Pads
Pros
- Light on Pocket
Though washable incontinence pads might be expensive on first-time purchases, these could be cheaper in the long run.
It’s because they need to buy the sheets is less frequently than the disposable ones.
Eco-Friendly
More waste is harmful to the environment as it leads to increased landfills. Getting super absorbent underpads facilitates less garbage production, hence better for the environment.
Having a product that can be used multiple times is a great savior to make a greener and less polluted globe.
Comfortable to Wear
These pads are way too easy to wear due to the comfortable fabric. The plastic covering of the disposable pads may cause itching and red skin due to the constant rubbing of the skin.
Reusable pads are made of cotton or other relaxed and easy materials.
Cons
Need High-Temperature Washing
To ensure that the pads are cleaned properly, washing them at a high temperature is necessary.
Also, read the instructions carefully because the pad's material may vary and require different washing conditions.
Have Lower Absorbencies
Liquid absorbent incontinent pads are ideal for patients with mild to moderate incontinence. But unluckily, these are not suitable for the ones with heavy incontinence.
Therefore, pick disposable pads with a high absorbing capacity to relax and be comfortable.
Not for Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence requires products with enhanced absorption features, so reusable pads are unsuitable.
That is why it is recommended to choose disposable pads if the patient has fecal incontinence.
Disposable Incontinent Pads
Pros
Convenience
It is the most significant advantage in terms of washing. The user does not need to wash the products and keep track of soaked pads.
It can easily be thrown away or replaced.
Have Higher Absorbency
The night is the most stressful time to manage it, especially for those with severe incontinence.
Super absorbent underpads with higher absorbency provide the user with an optimal level of relaxation.
Easy to Carry
Compared to reusable pads, these are convenient to carry around. It’s because of the small size that makes it great, especially during traveling.
Moreover, it takes less space in the storage to help the patient easily travel.
Cons
More Prone to Skin Infection
The use of wet products for a prolonged time can cause skin irritation and rashes. Moisture is a perfect condition for growing bacteria and is considered a chief cause of incontinence-related dermatitis.
That is why change the pad 6-8 times daily to prevent skin problems.
Need Hygienic Disposal
It is crucial to know the disposal category for these pads as disposable liquid absorbent incontinent pads are less environmentally friendly.
Therefore, these should be disposed of correctly in flushable toilets or public trash cans.
Heavy on the Budget
Disposable pads mean these can be used for one time only. The places are expensive in the long run as the user has to purchase them frequently.
Therefore, buy the pads wisely and not spend more on places than needed. When you are traveling to and from Colorado, it is good to know that you have availability of options for reusable as well as disposable incontinence supplies. Sky medical supplies store is near the DIA in Denver and has various options.