Continence

An elderly woman carrying a little boy
Don’t let sore skin from incontinence take joy from your life.

Incontinence can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, and if you’re one of the millions of people in Australasia who suffer from incontinence, you’ll know that it can also cause sore, chapped skin. When it’s caused by incontinence, sore skin is known as incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD). It can make the best things about life - like playing with grandchildren, or just pottering in the garden - much more difficult to enjoy.

 

Nothing preventable should take the joy out of your life, including IAD.

  • Learn how to keep your skin healthy

  • Learn more about the 3M products available

  • Get the answers you need

  • Learn how to get the best possible results


Continence Skin Care

  • Continence health care for the elderly

    Keeping Skin Healthy

    If you’re suffering from incontinence, there’s a good chance that you’ll know how much incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD) can stop you from enjoying your everyday activities. But you can prevent it. Even though incontinence may be part of your everyday life, IAD doesn’t have to be.

    3M offer two products designed specifically to protect the skin of anyone suffering from incontinence – Cavilon Continence Care Wipes and Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream. So you can protect your skin – and help to soothe and heal it to. Which means you can start to get back to enjoying life on your terms.


3M™ Cavilon™ Continence Care Wipes

Cavilon Continence Care Wipes are designed to gently cleanse, moisturise and provide an effective barrier against moisture and bodily fluids. Used regularly, they can be an effective first line of defence against IAD.

  • 3M™ Cavilon™ Continence Care Wipes

    Here’s why to choose Cavilon Continence Care Wipes

    • One-step incontinence care helps to reduce time and effort by combining three steps in one
    • Contain moisture repelling dimethicone
    • Hypoallergenic and pH balanced
    • Free of parabens, aloe and fragrance

    Cavilon Continence Care Wipes come in a handy resealable pack of 8 wipes.


3M™ Cavilon™ Durable Barrier Cream

Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is a moisturising barrier cream that provides durable, long-lasting protection from bodily fluids while moisturising the skin. Unlike typical barrier products, Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is both durable and concentrated. This means it lasts longer and you use less per application than typical creams and ointments.1

  • 3M™ Cavilon™ Durable Barrier Cream set

    Here’s why to choose Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream

    • It’s trusted
      Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is an effective, clinically proven way to prevent incontinence associated dermatitis. What’s more, it’s hypoallergenic and pH-balanced, with no added colours or fragrances – so you can even use it if your skin is sensitive or broken.2
    • It’s long lasting
      Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream resists wash-off when you take a shower or a bath.3 You only need to apply Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream twice a day to affected areas. Thanks to its durable formulation, Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream keeps protecting you, whatever your day brings.
    • It maintains the effectiveness of pads
      If you’re suffering from incontinence, pads are no doubt a big part of your routine. That’s exactly why Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream was designed to work alongside them. It won’t block your pads, or prevent any tapes or dressings from sticking.4 It’ll just form a breathable, protective barrier that helps your skin heal so you can get on with your life.
    • Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is available in three convenient sizes;
    • A 92 g tube - to last approximately three weeks
    • A 28 g tube - to last approximately a week
    • 2 g sachet – single use and discreet (often sold in packs of 20)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream work?

    Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream forms an invisible, breathable protective barrier over your skin. It stops urine and faeces coming into contact with your skin, letting it heal naturally. It also moisturises your skin, helping to soothe the pain while it protects.

  • Yes. Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream has been clinically proven to protect sore skin from urine and faeces. 1 The protective barrier that Cavilon Barrier Cream forms is completely breathable, hypoallergenic and pH-balanced, so it’ll help your skin breathe and heal naturally.

  • Yes. Cavilon Continence Care Wipes and Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream are designed to stop your skin becoming damaged by protecting it from contact with urine and faeces. So, if you’re suffering from incontinence, but your skin’s not already sore, these products are a great way to keep it healthy. In this situation, you would use one of these products, not both.

    Incontinence associated dermatitis is an unpleasant condition, as anyone who has it will tell you, so it’s never too early to start protecting your skin.

  • You only need to apply pea sized amounts at a time of Cavilon Barrier Cream onto each affected area. A little really does go a long way but don’t worry if you use too much, it’ll just make your skin feel a bit oily. Cavilon Barrier Cream is pH balanced and completely hypoallergenic, so all you need to do is gently wipe off any excess.
    If you apply the cream correctly, all of the cream will have been absorbed into the skin and the protective barrier of the cream may be seen as a slight sheen.

  • It depends. Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream can be used in addition to Cavilon Continence Care Wipes, when additional protection is required. For example, if your skin condition is worsening or if you are experiencing very frequent episodes of incontinence.

  • Yes, you can. In this case you would apply Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream morning and night.

    If you’re not using Cavilon Continence Care Wipes, we recommend that you use an extra-gentle cleanser specially formulated for fragile skin.

  • Cavilon Continence Care Wipes come in a handy resealable pack 8 wipes

  • Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is available in three convenient sizes;
     92 g tube - to last approximately three weeks
     28 g tube - to last approximately one week
     2 g sachet - single use and discreet (often sold in packs of 20)

  • Cavilon Continence Care Wipes are free from latex, parabens, fragrances, dyes or other colour additives.

    Ingredients: Aqua, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Laureth-3, Laureth-23, Steareth-2, Steareth-100, Propylene Glycol, Ethythexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Monohydrate, trisodium Citrate

  • Everyone’s skin is different. That’s why Cavilon Barrier Cream’s unique formula has been designed to work with all types of skin – even if yours is broken or sensitive.2 It’s completely hypoallergenic and pH balanced. Even better, you won’t find any latex, parabens, fragrances, dyes or other colour additives in there, either.

    Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Diisooctyl Adipate, Acrylate Terpolymer, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, White Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Paraffin, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate.


Application and Removal

 

  • Step One - Cavilon Continence Care Wipes

      When to use

    • Use one (or more) Cavilon Continence Care Wipes for each incontinent episode

      Instructions for use

    • Open the package without removing the label
    • Remove the soiled continence pad
    • Cleanse the soiled area using a wipe
    • Repeat, using a fresh wipe until the affected area is clean
    • Reseal the package

      Notes

    • You may wish to use toilet paper to remove larger quantities of soiling
    • For external use only
    • Avoid contact with the eyes
    • Do not flush
    • Discard remaining wipes if soil is visible on package or wipes
    • Do not use on infected areas of skin
    • When to use

    • If your skin condition is worsening, or,
    • If you are experiencing very frequent episodes of incontinence, especially liquid stool

      Instructions for use

    • Use very sparingly in small, pea-sized amounts and gently smooth in to the affected area of skin. A little goes a long way!
    • If too much is applied, the skin will feel oily

      How often should Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream be re-applied?

    • When needed, re-apply morning and night
    • If you are not using Cavilon Continence Care Wipes, reapply Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream every morning and night

      Notes

    • Wash-off resistant – no need to reapply after every wash
    • Will not clog continence pads
    • Will allow dressings and tapes to stick
    • Safe to use on both intact and damaged areas of skin
    • Do not use on infected areas of skin

      Further Notes

    • Your healthcare professional can advise if these products are suitable for you
    • Always read the label and use as directed
    • If symptoms worsen, see your healthcare professional

References

 

1.   3M™ Cavilon™ Durable Barrier Cream Summary of Clinical Evidence
2.   3M Data on File 2014, HCIPT Irritation Study
3.   3M Data on File 2011: LIMS 6766
4.   Hart J, (2002) Assessment of the incontinence pad blocking potential of Cavilon DBC compared with Sudocrem and Zinc and Castor oil. Nursing Scotland 2002, Issue July/August