Older and frail older people often suffer from incontinence. This problem is most common among frail older people living in elderly homes which might not be provided with sufficient carers. Overnight wetting of diapers which serve as compromising treatment frequently leads to perineal dermatitis and the poor micro-environment often leads to contacting pressure injuries (ulcers). Despite consequences of unhealthiness and deteriorating quality of life, these frail older people are not given special attention over the incontinence [1] [2] .

When the apparently simple “wetting” phenomenon is seriously analysed, many specific problems are revealed. They are:

i) Overflow of urine, which is the source of discomfort and demand for much manpower support in tedious apparel care.

ii) Perineal dermatitis, which could result from the poor micro-environment, bacterial and fungal infections.

iii) Pressure injuries, which are consequences of dermatitis leading to skin abrasions and ulcerations resulting even from minor rubs and contact stretches [3] .

iv) Local infections, which are particularly prone in the perineal region because of the faecal outlet [3] .

v) Foul odour production resulting from the combination of bacterial and fungal flora, putrefaction activities arising from the unhygienic environment and sweat gland irritations [4] .

vi) Sweat gland hyperactivity reacting to the poor microenvironment [5] .

A pilot study was therefore planned and the aim was to create a special diaper for the older and frail older people suffering from urinary incontinence to prevent complications arising from over-night and persistent wetting of the perineal region. Topical Traditional Chinese Medicine could be considered since many medicinal herbs have been reported to be antiseptic, antiperspirant and anti-allergic. Herbal products more over are not expensive.

The innovative Diaper should therefore possess the following properties: effectively absorbent, antiseptic, antiperspirant and deodourant.

With regard to the absorbent ability of the diaper, the material involved, its fabrication and design would require the critical analysis of the textile and apparel experts.

With regard to the other requirements, we looked forward to medicinal herbs that had been reported to be antibacterial and antiperspirant. They needed to be tested in biological platforms and then in clinical applications. The deodouring effects could be tested in reputable special laboratories and in the subsequent clinical trials. The medicinal herbs, in extract powder form, were to be implanted into the diapers which would be given to volunteers in a clinical pilot study.

Traditional Chinese medicine has reported a number of medicinal material (including herbs) having antiseptic, antiperspirant and deodourant effects.

The selected material included two herbs and two solid powders.

The medicinal herbs are:

i) Mori Follium (Mulberry leaves) is the leaves of the mulberry tree have been reported since the Ming Dynasty in China to be an effective antiperspirant (本草?目李?珍Li Shi-Zhen, Compendium of Materia Medica) when used as an oral concoction. Using Mori Follium as a local agent has not been reported [6] .

ii) Fraxini Cortex. The cortex of the plant has been used systemically as an antiperspirant. In the laboratory, special extracts of Fraxinus Rhynchophylla have been proven to have antiperspirant effects through fluorescence tests using the protein constitutions of human skin and comparing with a potent in-organic antiperspirant aluminum polychloride [7] .

The solid powders are:

iii) Calamine powder. Although calamine lotion has been known as a common inert and perhaps anti-allergic topical agent among family physicians dermatologists, calamine powder in Traditional Chinese medicine is advocated as an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, deodourant and antiperspirant agent. The powder is obtained from a soft stone and is found to contain silicone and traces of Zinc Oxide [8] .

iv) Zinc oxide powder. The Zinc oxide cream or paste has been widely used in clinical practice as an inert cleaning material for irritable skin among babies and dependents requiring diapers. Zinc oxide has also been utilized in Traditional medicine as a dry powder created from a soft stone for itchy skin and dermatitis. It is antiseptic and anti-allergic [9]

Urinary incontinence has been defined by the International Society as “any urinary leakage” [1] and it is a common symptom not only among old people but

also among those suffering from paraplegia. It has been estimated that 30% - 40% people over 65 years of age living in their own accommodations suffer from incontinence, while those living in nursing homes have an even higher prevalence [2] . The problem affects the quality of life of sufferers and causes dependency, sleep disturbances and downgrades the person’s dignity and mood [23] . In the busy, possibly crowded settings of old peoples’ home, incontinence tends to significantly affect the environmental hygiene and careers’ moral [4] . Frail older persons often suffer from co-existing illnesses and co-morbidities which require intensive assistance from health care staff and further deprive them of available caring time.

Under such adverse reality, the creation of rehabilitation devices that could improve the quality of life of the old people with incontinence and possibly relieve the workload of the carers would be very much appreciated. Among community-dwelling older persons, although incontinence pads (diapers) and toileting programs have been commonly used, but the results are disappointing [2] .

The creation of a diaper that would prevent leakage, prevent common skin complications like infection and allergy and improve the odour arising from incontinence is an innovative endeavor. The practical value of the diaper needs to be proven through clinical tests and the cost of production must be affordable to the general public.

There are medicinal herbs used in Traditional Medicine for the control of sweating and other medicinal powder for the protection of skin hygiene. When such simple medicinal materials are impregnated into the fabric of a diaper, there is good chance that the perineal skin could be better protected because of the improved dryer micro-environment, the better antiseptic, antiperspirant and deodouring effects [6] [7] [10] .

We have started our research in two stages. Firstly the herbal products were subjected to bacterial and biochemical platforms to investigate their antiseptic, antiperspirant and deodourant effects which were all proven effective. Then, a pilot trial conducted in an elderly home to obtain users information directly from the incontinent sufferers and their attendants. The results have been highly encouraging.

A simple diaper with good absorbent abilities and antiseptic, antiperspirant and deodourant effects could be made with the incorporation of simple medicinal powders used in Traditional Medicine. Its value on the quality of life of the incontinent people has been proven among a small group of volunteer users. It is also expected that this simple device would also simplify the supportive role of the carers.

Special gratitude is given to the “8765 Diabetes” Clinical Services which kindly arranged the application of the SUDOSCAN. We also thank the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, Harmony Manor and its staff which provided clinical support for the medicinal herbs bearing diapers study.

The work was supported by Innovation and Technology Fund of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Project Code: ITS/370/14).

Wat, E., Lin, A.W.L., Mak, C., Lam, I., Lau, C.B.-S., Ng, F.S.-F., Hui, P.C.-L. and Leung, P.-C. (2017) An Innovative Antiseptic, Antiperspirant and Deodourant Diaper for the Older and Frail Older People Suffering from Urinary Incontinence. Advances in Aging Research, 6, 29-37. https://doi.org/10.4236/aar.2017.62004