How to Choose the Right Size of Diapers

Adult Diapers
Adult Diapers

Adult incontinence is a significant health problem and has a huge impact on all aspects of a patient’s life. According to the National Association for Incontinence (NACI), over 25 million Americans suffer from some form of urinary incontinence. When you add the number of people suffering from loss of bowel control, the number increases. Dealing with incontinence among adults is not easy for both the patient and the caregiver. Many individuals have abandoned their professional lives and many families have been forced to take up the burden of providing care to incontinent relatives. Despite the high prevalence of adult incontinence, there is scant information on how to manage the problem.

If you have an incontinent person under your care, you can now use high-quality adult diapers to manage this medical condition. These specially designed diapers give people suffering from adult incontinence a new lease on life. They improve the quality of life by giving patients more control over their life. Many people suffering from bowel or bladder problems now enjoy active lifestyles, saving their families from financial stress.

If you want to improve the quality of care for a person suffering from adult incontinence, you have to find the best adult incontinence diapers. One main consideration when buying these diapers is the sizing. In this article, you will learn the importance of the correct size of diapers and tips on buying the right size of diapers.

  1. Choose the Right Size

Why do you need to find the correct adult diaper size?

  1. For a start, it is more comfortable to wear the right sized diaper. Whether the person wearing the diaper is immobile or active, the experience of wearing a diaper that is the right size is more comfortable especially when worn for the first time.

  2. A correct sized diaper fits comfortably just like ordinary underwear and is thus discrete. This is important when the wearer wants to go out and interact with other people. Most people fear wearing diapers because of their association with babies. It is considered embarrassing and the last thing they would want is to draw attention to their diapers, in public.

  3. More importantly, a correctly sized diaper works more effectively. For instance, if a diaper fits tightly around the legs, there is no chance of leaks. The best diapers in the market feature innovative designs to avoid embarrassing situations but they can only work if you choose the right size.

To get diapers in the right size, you need to use a measuring tape to get the hips or waist size (whichever is larger). The tape measure should fit snugly when the person is standing. If they are immobile, take measurements from one end of the hipbone to the other, double the measurement and add 2 inches to get the correct adult diaper size. Measure the wearer’s thighs as well. If the one wearing the diaper has small or larger than normal thighs, it is advisable to measure them to ensure that the diaper you buy works effectively.

  1. Diaper Sizes Chart

Now that you have taken measurements, you can go ahead and use a diaper size chart to find the right adult diaper. This may not be easy when you consider that charts are not standard. Every brand has its own diaper size chart, but once you have identified the brand you want to use, it is easier to use your measurements. The chart below represents general sizes to help you find the best diaper:

  1. Very small (X-small): Waist 17-28 inches

  2. Small: Waist 22-33 inches

  3. Medium: Waist 34-48 inches

  4. Large: Waist 44-54 inches

  5. X-large: Waist 48-66 inches

  6. 2X-large: Waist 62-80 inches

Using this chart, you can compare sizes of different products against the measurement you have to find the appropriate sized diaper for your loved one. This may sound like an arduous task but once you have determined the correct size, the diapers you purchase will be more effective. More importantly, you will enjoy seeing that the person under your care is more comfortable when they wear a correctly sized diaper. The measurements on most charts also correspond with weight, which is an important consideration.

  1. Dealing with Diaper Rash

One of the main concerns for anyone wearing an adult diaper is the breakout of a diaper rash. Every brand promises that their products will not cause a diaper rash but unfortunately urine leaks are common, leading to skin infections. Symptoms of diaper rash include red, raw, scalded, or burned skin in the genital area. Having diaper rash is a very uncomfortable condition that exacerbates the effects of adult incontinence. A diaper rash should be cared for as soon as the problem begins to occur on the skin.

When you introduce the person under your care to adult diapers, they may develop skin irritations if they are allergic to the perfumes in the material. Fungal or bacterial infections can also cause diaper rash, and if left untreated, sores develop and soon start oozing fluid.

Home treatments work for adult diaper rash if you start caring with the problem early. You can use adult diaper creams or powder, two to four times a day. The cream can be covered as well with petroleum jelly to make sure it sticks to the affected area. For faster healing, make sure that the affected area airs out for some time during the day. I the problem persists a doctor’s visit will be necessary.

For prevention of developing a diaper rash, the genital areas should be cleaned properly covered by the adult diaper before wearing and after removing the diaper. The diaper should only be worn when the genital area is dry. Allow the diaper area to air out and dry before using another diaper. A moisture barrier ointment works efficiently on the buttocks and sensitive areas around the genitals. This ointment prevents infections and keeps the diaper wearer safe and dry.

  1. Adjust the Fit

When sizing an adult diaper, you need to adjust the fit to guarantee minimal chances of leaks. With time, the size you had picked might require an adjustment upward or downward. If you have an older adult under your care, you will notice a gradual loss of physical stature due to illness or other reasons. The initial diaper measurements need adjustment in this case. The increase in incontinence levels might also necessitate a tighter diaper while an increase in weight may require a larger diaper.

Regularly check the fit of the diaper as it is crucial that the diaper fits correctly. If the diaper is too large, adjust the sizing. If you notice an increase in leaks, the diaper usually needs to be adjusted to a different size to an increase or decrease in weight. Take new measurements and purchase a diaper that is the correct size.

  1. How Do You Know When to Change Diaper Size

Some of the signs that you need to change the diaper size include:

  1. Red marks on the thighs of the user. This shows that the diaper is too tight.

  2. Frequent leaks and diaper blowouts

  3. Increase in weight

  4. Difficulty in closing the tabs on the diaper

Choosing the right sized adult diapers does not have to be so hard after all. Once the right measurements are taken, look out for a developing diaper rash and care for it appropriately. The sizing may have to be adjusted over time due to gain or loss of weight.

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