Waterproof Undergarments

Who Needs Waterproof Undergarments?

From older children who still wet the bed to geriatric patients with incontinence problems, waterproof garments can be the solution. There are styles available for light incontinence, heavy incontinence, and everything in between. Don't think that if you're on the light end of the spectrum that this type of solution is overkill. On the other end of the spectrum, you shouldn't feel that if your situation is on the heavier side, waterproof undergarments cannot possibly help.

Waterproof undergarments sometimes come with everything you need for protection, but in some cases, they're designed to be worn over underwear or diapers—or with special pads that are sold separately.

What They Offer

It goes without saying that waterproof undergarments are, of course, going to protect you from embarrassing leakage. How do they work, though, and what else do they do?

• Lock in liquid
• Keep your skin dry by wicking moisture away from your skin and into an absorbent pad
• Act as a very lightweight body shaper (almost) by smoothing down bumps in your figure
• Keep your clothes—and your bed sheets—dry so you don't have to worry about embarrassment or extensive clean-up
• Can be washable or disposable

Problems with Waterproof Designs

Depending upon the material used in the construction of the waterproof undergarments, some wearers may find that they have trouble dealing with:

• Heat
• Cracking
• Noise with movement

Most styles listed here are meant to be lightweight, comfortable, and even cool. They are also designed to keep noises to a minimum, due to soft materials. Please keep in mind that you should check before ordering to see if the ones you're considering are meant to be worn over a diaper or underwear, or if they're an all-in-one undergarment.

Finding Yours Online

Dr. Leonard's website has waterproof pants for men and women. They run about $10.00 for a package of three. These are made of soft vinyl and meant to be worn over diapers or underwear. They're machine washable and dryable, plus they're available in a wide range of waist sizes: 26" to 58".

Hygienics has an impressive selection of styles. You can find waterproof undergarments for light, light-moderate, or moderate-heavy incontinence. There are brief styles for men and for women that are made of cotton or lace/cotton mixes. The briefs run between $12.99 and $17.99. For additional protection, most are recommended for use with the gel pads with polymer gel (for men and women) that are found on their website and cost between $6.99 and $10.99 per package.

Home Health Direct has a pair of heavy-duty washable briefs for $31.00 that were designed to remain comfortable and lightweight while wicking away moisture and locking it into a safety pocket. They have a one hundred percent waterproof covering made from polyester and urethane. This single style is great for men and women due to the brief style.

Metro Medical Online has two versions of their waterproof Salk Sani-pants: snap-on and pull-on. They're $14 if you get them online, but the regular price is $16.00. The outside is made of plasticized polyester so that they're one hundred percent waterproof.

In Addition

If you only have a problem while sleeping, you may also want to look into waterproof bed sheets. Some are designed to be cool, though your first impulse may be to think, "But those would be hot!" You can find waterproof sheets at Dr. Leonard's, mentioned above.

The Bottom Line

You don't have to suffer from the embarrassing effects of incontinence! Regardless of your level of incontinence, waterproof undergarments are worth a try.