An Approach to Urinary Incontinence for Dermatologists

Abstract

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a condition often encountered by dermatologists. IAD is an inflammatory skin condition secondary to prolonged urine exposure—it is a dermatologic sequela of urinary incontinence. Incontinence should not be dismissed simply as an age-related disorder; rather, it is due to a number of pathologic conditions that can be either reversible or manageable. It is thus critical to identify and treat the underlying causes of urinary incontinence. Clinical management of this common medical issue restores normality to patients’ lives while also preventing future dermatologic complications. In this article, we aim to provide dermatologists with an overview of IAD and an approach to the diagnosis and initial management of urinary incontinence.