When there are no diapers, temporary substitutes can be selected according to specific needs (such as user age, degree of incontinence, and usage scenarios), but it should be noted that these substitutes are usually not as absorbent, leak-proof, and comfortable as professional diapers, and are only suitable for short-term emergencies. The following are proven practical solutions:
1. Cotton fabric (preferred recommendation)
Natural fiber materials such as pure cotton towels, old cotton sheets, or underwear are safer temporary choices because of their good breathability and low irritation.
How to use: Fold the cotton fabric into 3-5 layers (about 1-2 cm thick), making sure that the area can cover the buttocks and thigh roots, and fix it with a soft elastic band or safety pin (avoid being too tight).
Applicable scenarios: mild incontinence (such as a small amount of urine in infants and young children, occasional urine leakage in adults) or short-term use at home. The absorption capacity of a single layer of cotton cloth is about 3-4 times its weight (a 20×30 cm cotton cloth can absorb 100-200 ml of liquid), but it needs to be changed every 1-2 hours to prevent leakage and skin moisture.
2. Tampon and panty liner combination (only for women with mild stress urinary incontinence)
This combination is only suitable for women with very small amounts of urine leakage caused by increased abdominal pressure (such as coughing or laughing). The principle is that tampons provide slight support by filling the vagina to reduce the pressure relaxation of the urethral opening, rather than directly absorbing urine.
How to use: Put ordinary tampons into the vagina according to the instructions, and match them with an oversized panty liner (absorption capacity of about 150-200 ml).
Note: Tampons need to be changed every 4-6 hours to avoid bacterial growth and infection; panty liners need to be made of breathable materials (such as non-woven surfaces). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) pointed out that this method is only an emergency measure, cannot replace special products for urinary incontinence, and is ineffective for moderate to severe incontinence.
3. Waterproof auxiliary products (reduce leakage pollution)
If you are worried about leakage of substitutes, you can wrap a layer of waterproof material with good breathability (such as medical waterproof cloth, silicone waterproof pad) on the outer layer, but two conditions must be met:
Cotton fabric must be retained between the waterproof layer and the skin as a buffer to avoid direct contact of plastic with the skin, causing allergies or sweat retention.
The single-use time should not exceed 2 oras, and it should be replaced in time to keep the skin dry. A 2021 study in the Journal of Dermatology showed that long-term use of non-breathable waterproof materials will increase skin humidity by more than 30%, increasing the risk of diaper rash.
4. Adult nursing pads and tight clothing
If there are adult nursing pads (non-pants type), they can be laid on the bed sheet or seat, and the user can wear tight underwear to fix the position to reduce displacement during activities.
Performance limitations: The absorption capacity of ordinary adult nursing pads is about 300-500 ml, but because there is no three-dimensional guard design, the risk of side leakage is high, and it is only suitable for bedridden or sedentary scenes (such as wheelchair users).
5. General precautions
Skin protection: After all substitutes are replaced, the skin needs to be cleaned with warm water and wiped dry, and a diaper cream (sanggol) or moisturizing lotion (matanda na) containing zinc oxide should be applied. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) emphasizes that keeping the skin dry is the key to preventing diaper rash, and a humid environment can reduce the skin barrier function by more than 50%.
Contraindications: For moderate to severe incontinence (such as leakage of more than 100 ml per hour), long-term use at night (more than 4 oras), or outdoor activities, it is forbidden to rely on substitute products, and professional diapers (such as adult pull-up pants, Toggle menu) must be obtained as soon as possible.
Adaptation for special populations: Infants and young children have delicate skin, and unbleached pure cotton fabrics need to be selected; bedridden elderly people need to pay attention to the anti-slip properties of substitutes to avoid pressure sores caused by displacement.
Summary
Temporary substitutes can only be used in emergencies. Professional diapers must be used for long-term care. The multi-layer absorbent core, three-dimensional leak-proof guard, and breathable bottom layer are designed to be impossible to replicate with substitutes. If a long-term solution is needed, it is recommended to choose appropriate professional products according to the user’s situation (tulad ng Tsina sanggol diapers focusing on softness, at adult diapers china focusing on absorption).
Bilang nangunguna tagapagtustos ng pants diaper para sa may sapat na gulang in China, Yibero provides users with incontinence care solutions that meet their needs and is committed to improving the quality of life of users. If you need to know more about adult diapers, please feel free to contact us!
