My elderly Mum is continually complaining of a burning sensation down below that makes her really uncomfortable. She was prescribed antibiotics before over phone consult (Due to Covid no actual appointments were available) for a UTI but it did nothing. She wears depends as she has lost control of her urination so I feel like she is bound to constantly irritate that area and be prone to infections. Obviously showers are not her favourite due to her memory problem but she typically feels better for a bit after a warm shower. Wet wipes (although hypoallergenic) apparently also burn and irritate her. So it’s hard to keep her super clean! We try changing the depends often but she’s not alerting to me the moment it gets damp.
I need help as to where to go from here. What could be the issue and how do we fix this?
Is there some calming powder? Lotion for down there? Is there better medication? Could it be something else and not UTI? Her urine stinks but there’s no blood. Earlier when she was still fully self dependent (before her memory problem) she had these thin sticks that were to be inserted to her v like a tampon. I don’t know what they were or the purpose and she can no longer recall fully. She just remembers she had them (and I remember too) but not sure what for. She doesn’t have the same doc anymore.
any suggestions are welcome as I hate seeing her in pain.
Theres a possibility that she’s sensitive to the depends but we have tried many different brands. She has always had a lot of allergies! We have a handheld shower too. At this stage she still washes herself with sensitive soap and cloth while I watch. She seems to be getting it done fine. She says it stings/burns so it sounds like a UTI. I’ll have to talk her into going to the doc again,.. she’s not a fan of going. Wish there were discounts for these pads/depends! I feel like I’m flying through them to keep her somewhat happy.
Also try getting her to drink more fluids or eating foods with a higher fluid content. The more dilute the urine is the less it will burn.
Are you using a barrier cream? That can help. apply gently, lightly by patting it on not rubbing it. The barrier cream will help ease any burning.
To your comment about wishing there were discounts for the incontinence products...there might be. Check to see if she would qualify for Hospice. Hospice will provide supplies like Pull up type or Tab type briefs, ointments, creams, gloves, wipes. Medicare covers these supplies.
Applying a barrier cream (like zincofax or any of the other diaper creams) should be soothing, or perhaps something like vagisil. A nice sitz bath in epsom salts might be soothing too.
While you are at the drug store pick up some D mannose, that along with ensuring she is getting plenty of fluids should help to keep UTIs at bay.
A home remedy to relieve the internal burning would be to dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water for her to drink. It will not help with treating the underlying cause, but will buffer the urine when she pees so that it doesn’t burn. I wouldn’t do this more than twice a day for a day or two, until you can get her checked out.
Also agree you should get her rechecked for UTI or yeast infection.
Does her skin appear to have any rash or redness as she could have a fungal infection? The depends can also cause this. Urine on the skin could make it flare up and sting or burn her skin - the doctor could prescribe oral and or even external cream for this - maybe they would do a telehealth appointment?
If you haven’t changed any new products then I would suspect either UTI or fungal on her skin both common with the use of depends - along if she isn’t getting enough fluid the urine concentration is burning her skin.
If mom is bedridden or even just at night you could look into the purewick external urine collector as it has really helped my moms skin and collects most of the urine overnight while she is sleeping.
So we deal with this about every other month or so for a couple of weeks until some other ailment overrides it. I wish I could give you a remedy but I can't. Neither can my mother's doctor or the aides in her Memory Care Assisted Living facility who help care for her various issues 24/7.
Wishing you the best of luck with a difficult situation
The petroleum jelly repels moisture, such as urine, keeping it from irritating fragile skin. So-called "medicated" applications may actually make the problem worse.
Only antibiotics can truly cure a urinary tract infection and the typical "burning" sensation it produces, but careful attention to the genital area can prevent possible added skin breakdown.