How can I prevent my mother's undergarments from making her legs itch and become tender?

Best thing I have found for my skin is olive oil. I use the extra virgin kind. It will eventually soak in if you don't slather it on too thick. Also has healing properties. My friend that had sepsis in her legs was told by her doctor to start using it.

Ras - for my mom the solution was MENS"S boxer briefs....The design of womens undies is awful - the elastic in the legs is generally just the right sort to cause riding up and cut into skin no matter how old. The solutions for my mom was to get her panties that were 2 sizes too big. This way the legs were large and the elastic there served only to keep them close to her body not get really tight. After a few months I began to buy her MENS underwear - cotton boxer briefs to be exact. The fabric itself has some stretch, there's no elastic in the legs to cut into her skin and the waste band is actually larger and more comfortable. The longer length seems to keep her warmer too. I stitched the front opening closed and cut out the extra over lapping fabric so it doesn't bunch up in front.

Once Mom got to the nursing home, they alway use depends undergarments. She hated it at first but it's necessary if she can't get to the bathroom fast enough. She thinks they're actually comfy now and doesn't mind them at all. They also seem to absorb sweat and readily whick any liquid away from her skin.

Old skin is really sensitive so the nursing home also uses towlettes with moisturizing lotion built right in.

You might try stitching a piece of soft flannel at the points of contact with the skin. Or protecting her skin area with soft gauze wrapped around it might work.

Is she reacting to something that the undergarments are washed in? If she has extremely sensitive skin... fragrances in detergents or fabric softners could be bothering. does she wear disposable undergarments? They can cause problems, try a differant kind. Keeping her skin clean and dry is very important. The delicate skin in that area breaks down easily and heals slowly.

Also try Desitin

Medicated powders or cornstarch based powders might work too. Seniors develop very thin skin after awhile. It is so easy for their skin to become irritated or even tear. Most disposable undergarments are made of plastic and can easily irritate because they are stiff and do not breathe. Can cotton panties be placed over the undergarment? Also an "eggcrate" foam rubber pad on her favorite chair will help prevent sores - especially if she is sitting for long periods of time.

Those were great answers you guys are the greatest.

Good old corn starch I found works the best. Helps keep it dry, and heal it up fast when inflamed. I use it on my 98 year old grandmother all the time. Even worked better then the medicated cream the dr gave. One of the aids that help me with her told me this and I couldn't believe how fast it worked and it help keep the raw spots from coming back.

Your problem is wetness in that area, so you need Baby Powder sprinkled in her undergarments, and on that area. If you keep powder on the area, it will stay dry.

I agree with say a medicated powder and also try to shift her now and then could she be allergic to elastic? stupid question but does she need to wear the under garments? And there is a lotion that Hospice gave us to use for my grandmother when she was no longer mobile you pout it on very thin and it protects the skin...try a Pharmacy that sells medical equipment, and things like bed pads and such...