www.incontinentsupport.org

Hello folks,

I had my first real taste of hot weather while wearing protection. As many of you have mentioned in your posts it takes some getting used to. Agreed. It's horrible.

Over the weekend we had my youngest's birthday party outside at a park. I live in MN, and it was pretty humid per usual this time of year. I was wearing a plastic Abena M4, and pul pants, because that's what I trust when I'm out of the house. I was boiling!

I'll save the description, but with rash cream, powder, and sweat combined it was not at all good. I just felt gross. It's like wearing a hot soggy pillow. I share this with humor now, but it is miserably uncomfortable. This was kind of my first episode with heat since I started having to wear protection. It's not fun at all, and you all have more respect from me.

Thanks for reading. Hopefully you got a laugh at my expense. Take care. Stay cool.

_________________
Thank you kindly,
CG

CG,
I completely get it! I live in Texas and in a very humid area, unlike west Texas, which tends to be much drier. I’ve had a lifetime to adapt to my situation and the climate that my family chooses to reside, which includes cloth diapers and a closet of fuller fitting dresses that in color and print tends to camouflage the bulk. Further, I’m a very slender build with virtually no backside so the padding in the butt actually improves my otherwise “odd” profile. Together with thin Euroflex pants and a snug fitting briefer, it all works for me.
On days when I must wear a disposable, I become more uncomfortable as the day passes while outside, so I completely understand your highly descriptive “uncomfortable” weekend outing.
Though cloth diapers aren’t for everyone, especially if you have problems hiding the bulkiness, as many men probably do, you would probably find them more comfortable than most disposables. A nice side benefit is that they don’t bunch like most disposables when damp.
You might try a contour shaped cloth diaper set… This might allow you to add thickness as needed and help hide the bulkiness a bit better than rectangular prefolds, which I use. For women, the extra thickness between the legs is a definite benefit.

Let me second Ellyn's recommendation of cloth protection. If you can make it work for you, in terms of bulk and your profile, you will find cloth much more comfortable in hot weather. My problem with protection is not in hot weather; it is in cold weather, when my protection freezes when wet. Good luck finding protection that works for you.

I live in Central Florida so I am all too familiar with the problems of wearing diapers in extremely hot and humid weather. My approach is to wear a cloth backed diaper with a male guard or booster pad and a thin cotton granny panty over it all. The granny panty keeps the diaper from sagging and losing shape and the guard/pad allows me to quickly change just the pad without having to take everything off. I usually wear a pair of cargo type shorts and that allows me to discreetly carry a few extra pads and plastic bags with me. Of course there are days that I know I won't be able to easily change and will have to use a super premium plastic backed diaper like a MegaMax. In those cases the diaper will absorb a good bit of the sweat but yeah it will be uncomfortable.

CityGardner, your report was of great interest to me because that is the situation I am dreading myself. I briefly contemplated pul or plastic pants. Plastic pants are just brutal -- I wouldn't be able to tell if I leaked or just sweated. My wife is not accepting of briefs so I will be trying this with a GoSupreme + booster and yank the booster out later. Then if I still need a change later, then I will be changing into a brief (TENA Flex Maxi) and weather the storm later. Then at least I'll be able to explain.

For the same reasons, I expect that cloth is out of the question even though that might prove practical. Spousal politics.

Because our day in the park is likely to be about 6 hours, I'm almost tempted to spend a day by myself as "dry run"

Ellyn and Patrick,

I totally agree cloth would make a fantastic solution. I use it at night now and it's completely comfortable. I haven't really ventured out during the day wearing cloth. If I had any hesitation it's probably the amount of cloth I'd require to stay protected while trying to keep it inconspicuous. To your point Ellyn: yes, I think dudes need more front padding which is harder to cover I'd say.

Padded: I like the idea of the guards but I found I can't get those changed out fast enough.

_________________
Thank you kindly,
CG

I would also second Ellyn's recommendation of cloth protection. Spending more time in Costa Rica now and it is quite humid. Switching to cloth has eliminated the heat/humid rashes; way more comfortable; and no diaper fluff clumping breakdown. Yes, I'm a bit more bulky in the bum, but sizing up the pants took care of that.

A solution that has worked for me is cloth as soon as I am home when it's been hot outside. It feels much nicer against the skin after it has been in a clammy diaper. As I deal with fecal and urinary incontinence I don't use cloth very often and never when I leave the house (it's just a personal preference). I understand those that have chosen cloth they are more comfortable and I do believe reduce rashes but for me they aren't practical.

The benefits of wearing cloth diapers in hot weather is a new idea to me.
Why do you suppose cloth diapers are more comfortable in hot weather? I use cloth diapers from time to time when I am at home and I feel wet when the diaper is used. Based on that, I would assume that cloth diapers wouldn't be more comfortable but I am pleasantly surprised by your experiences.

I have come to know the heat/diaper rash. I am prone to heat rash anyway. I found a vanilla scented protective cream that i really like and seems to really help with my skin health.



Yes! finally getting to put on dry clothes and after being out in the weather was such a relief.


So, the weather here went from 90F to about 55-60F. I'm just fine with that.

Lots of cloth recommendations. I think I need to know more about how much cloth I would need to keep me safe. I use cloth as boosters, and I use it at night, but I don't really know how much i could realistically get away with for being outside away from the comfort and safety of home. Dressing in my "going to bed" attire might be overkill, and would not be something I could keep hidden under clothes.

My IC is mostly urge based, with stress IC mixed in. I have very limited bladder capacity due to a thickened bladder wall that will not allow it stretch and fill (about 1oz or so). I use the restroom nearly every hour if possible so whatever happens in between will need to be remedied by whatever protection i'm wearing. Depending on my level of hydration it could be a fair amount. I have found I can last about 3-4 hours in Abena M4 before I will be needing to change. I can't really gage what the equivalent would be in cloth. I just haven't had enough experience yet i guess.

_________________
Thank you kindly,
CG