In India, adult diapers are an urban phenomenon, and their usage is not yet as popular as in the Western world. However, the convenience of adult diapers and the freedom and ease it provides to many adults is immeasurable. They provide a life of dignity to many people suffering from urinary or bowel incontinence, dementia, and mobility issues. They provide great relief to their caretakers as well.
They are also used by people in such professions that do not provide the luxury of bathroom usage frequently. Pilots and astronauts use it as well, while swimmers use a variation of it too. Especially since Corona started, adult diapers are used by adults who do not want to use the public toilets while travelling. While it is slightly expensive for everyday use, at times, it may become necessary. Hence, it is good to know some of the considerations while buying and using it.
Types
There are multiple varieties of adult diapers in the market like pull-up panties, stick-up types, briefs, inserts, and reusable ones with polyester or nylon inserts. One needs to use samples of preferred ones of different brands to understand which is most suitable. Doing this is essential. Unless you find the right fit for yourself, you may not be comfortable with it and may even end up with issues like rashes.
Absorbency Level
Depending on the reason, it is good to know the absorbency level and choose a suitable brand. For example, if used for the night for frequent urination, then ensure a high absorbency level diaper. For a long-distance trip, depending on the number of travel hours, choose a comfortable one. Mild and medium absorbency level diapers are good enough for most people unless suffering high urinary or bowel incontinence. Some of the better ones offer up to 16 hours of protection from moistness and skin irritation.
Size
One other important option to ensure the comfortable wearing of diapers is to buy the correct size. Multiple sizes are available, and unless you find what fits right for you, there could be issues with leakage or rashes. Typically, these come in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. When confused, you could try out one sample of different sizes to find the most comfortable and best fit. This step is important, especially if you are wearing it for the first time for a long-distance trip. Otherwise, you may end up being uncomfortable for the whole time and may also have some other issues.
Other aspects
One should choose breathable diapers that are comfortable and good for the skin and also compact. This is important as if the diaper shows up bulky; people feel uncomfortable. Wearing clothes that are comfortable and can conceal the diapers is also equally important. It is also important to know how much wetness the diaper can hold and when to change it. Some diapers come with a wetness indicator that helps you understand this. Else, it is to be monitored to know when it starts feeling slightly heavy.
These days, many brands are coming out with maximum absorbent, eco-friendly materials like banana fibre. These are not just easy on our skin, but also the environment. However, it is to be noted that most diapers are disposable ones that need to be disposed of responsibly. This may include disposing of the solid waste from the diapers by flushing it down the toilet and wrapping it before packing it in separate bags other than solid or wet waste. Adult diaper disposal bags available may also be used.
If you are self-changing the diapers, wash properly before wearing a fresh set of diapers/undies. Caretakers helping people with adult diapers should wear gloves while helping to put on and remove and dispose of the diapers. Also, it is important to use a soft and sanitized wipe to clean the area before fresh diapers are put on.
