…… Wipes Substitute

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
It just occurred to me that I'd better figure this out -- I never used to worry too much about wipes, because soap and water works just fine. But now that I have to catheterize my daughter several times a day, I use wipes to clean her first, and that's a really sensitive area. I'm not sure what will be best to do in place of wipes if/when we can't get them anymore. Is soap and water adequate? She really doesn't need a bladder infection.

Also, I had looked up how to clean and re-use the catheters, and plan to use alcohol to sterilize them. Is that going to be an irritant in that very sensitive location? She actually almost seems to be numb down there (she has hidden spina bifida, which is what's causing her bladder problems in the first place). But I don't want to irritate the skin.

Kathleen
 

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
Soap and water works by washing-off, not killing. One end of soap molecule attaches to water, the other to oil/fat.

Iodine, Neosporin and alcohol (among other things) actually sanitize. Baby wipes do not generally sanitize (more to wipe away poo).

That's what I was thinking. They make hospital grade iodine soap. Looks orange in the last bottle I had. That's what we had to wash my dad with when his gall bladder necrotized after his heart surgery.
 

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
It's still hard to find the disinfectant wipes, but I have not had any trouble finding baby wipes in the stores. They may work fine for cleaning healthy skin areas...realizing I'm not knowing the whole situation. Maybe ask her doctor/nurse?
 

Squib

Veteran Member
Call me weird, but I use homemade baby wipes for #2!

Laugh if you want, but ive always believed, “a clean b_ _ _ hole is a happy b_ _ _ hole!”

Not to be crude, but sanitation has done more for health in the last 150 years than most medical advancements.

I think most of you out there can feel me! Take a mind blowing movement, and you need more than a single dry tissue to get back to smelling and feeling fresh!

But, I could be wrong...
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
If it were me, I would go to a medical supply store, or just ask her doctor what you can use. I'm beginning to see disinfecting wipes back on the shelves here, but I don't believe they would be the kind for use on sensitive skin.
 

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
Yes, I think I need to talk to her doctor, or at least one of the nurses. The wipes I've been using are anti-bacterial, but weren't really intended for this type of use. Their active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride, whatever that is. They do have some alcohol in them, too. They use some kind of wipe for cleaning the area at the urology office, so should be able to tell me what is in them.

Dennis, I know you are right, that people with special needs are going to die. In fact, there's a good chance that my daughter's lifespan is already quite limited even if the world didn't change. I just don't want to watch her slowly die of something I could have prevented. A couple of years ago, she almost died quickly when she got something stuck in her throat -- it's HARD to watch someone you love die. (Yes, I did the Heimlich maneuver.) So, while acknowledging that I am going to lose her eventually, I'd rather put it off as long as possible.

Kathleen
 

Terriannie

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I get the need for gentleness and cleanliness in that very tender area so I would suggest making your own baby wipes using simple hot water, baby oil, and baby wash. Here's a video that explains both the "how-to" and ingredients. (If you feel the paper towels would be too rough-ish, then I would suggest cleaning, boiling and drying soft cloths cut up in squares to put in the mixture.)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfMtPKb3k4M


As far as the catheters go, do they hold up to sterilizing in hot boiling water?
 

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Look in the area around any large hospital and there is usually a home health care store.
They usually will have everything from crutches to wound care supplies.
Staff will most likely be very knowledgeable and can probably point you to the right stuff as well.
 

vessie

Has No Life - Lives on TB
It just occurred to me that I'd better figure this out -- I never used to worry too much about wipes, because soap and water works just fine. But now that I have to catheterize my daughter several times a day, I use wipes to clean her first, and that's a really sensitive area. I'm not sure what will be best to do in place of wipes if/when we can't get them anymore. Is soap and water adequate? She really doesn't need a bladder infection.

Also, I had looked up how to clean and re-use the catheters, and plan to use alcohol to sterilize them. Is that going to be an irritant in that very sensitive location? She actually almost seems to be numb down there (she has hidden spina bifida, which is what's causing her bladder problems in the first place). But I don't want to irritate the skin.

Kathleen
Kathleen, several years ago, I read an article about the hospitals in Britain were going to be using catheters that were lined with silver to keep any bacteria away or gone.

More to this in the article but I'm short for time here.

So, what I'm trying to say is that using Colloidal Silver would be good to use to help keep the catheters sanitized.

I have been using Colloidal Silver from Shop | Herbal Healer | Healing the World With Nature for over 20+ years.

It's the real thing and no other CS has worked as good as their product and it's 500ppm pharmaceutical grade.

Their product has been a lifesaver for us and all the cats I've had to take care of in cat rescue. V
 

bethshaya

God has a plan, Trust it!
I have a stash of homemade cloth wipes with a nifty container holder that pops them up and a very small clean garbage can ready just in case we ever need it. When TSHTF, even if you bought out all of Costco on TP for years, if it truly is SHTF, eventually you will run out. The cloth is wet with the recipe Terrianne shared above into the wipe container, use it, and put the dirty wipe into the can that has water and Oxyclean in it. At the end of the day, or every other day, I wash them and put them back clean.

For the ladies, make sure you get some cloth feminine napkins too. Eventually you will run out of tampons/pads too if TSHTF and you can use them the same way. I actually found the cloth more comfortable, prettier and no leaks.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2E0bQmafvI



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UkezsQmUdk&list=PLJ4QFFfJklGKal5rnSkYWdYRywa6F5koh&ab_channel=AmyNix
 

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
I get the need for gentleness and cleanliness in that very tender area so I would suggest making your own baby wipes using simple hot water, baby oil, and baby wash. Here's a video that explains both the "how-to" and ingredients. (If you feel the paper towels would be too rough-ish, then I would suggest cleaning, boiling and drying soft cloths cut up in squares to put in the mixture.)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfMtPKb3k4M


As far as the catheters go, do they hold up to sterilizing in hot boiling water?


I don't know yet if they will hold up to boiling water -- that's on my list of things to do, testing that.

Kathleen
 

Josie

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I had read that some people were using regular baby wipes saturated with alcohol for disinfecting. I know that would be pretty harsh on tender areas. I was wondering if regular baby wipes saturated with colloidal silver would work.
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've taught this to quite a few people now.
Cut a soft knit material into 7" - 9" squares. Your preference. Roll or fold them with overlap and place them in the containers you are currently using. Pour the cleanser you need over them. I have found several I use. Some are good for skin, others are for household cleaning. I keep iodine and betadine on hand for this purpose. For smaller purposes, I use 3" to 4" squares. Old clothes are good for this.
Once used, wash with household laundry and bleach. In newer machines, use a net bag as they seem to slide past the seals and get lodged in the filter. You can fix that but it's messy and tedious.
 

Terriannie

Has No Life - Lives on TB
This is a no rinse product originally made for taking care of home bound or sick patients. I wonder if it would work for your daughter? It’s 16 ounces. You mix 1 oz with a quart of water, so there’s a good amount for $10.

Amazon.com : NR00910EA - No-Rinse Body Bath 16 oz. : Beauty
View attachment 220865
My sister uses that on our mother when she's ill. They both love it. Not only does it clean you but there's no tightening or drying of the skin. I don't know the long term effects on that tender area, but so far it's ok.
 

Ku Commando

Inactive
It just occurred to me that I'd better figure this out -- I never used to worry too much about wipes, because soap and water works just fine. But now that I have to catheterize my daughter several times a day, I use wipes to clean her first, and that's a really sensitive area. I'm not sure what will be best to do in place of wipes if/when we can't get them anymore. Is soap and water adequate? She really doesn't need a bladder infection.

Also, I had looked up how to clean and re-use the catheters, and plan to use alcohol to sterilize them. Is that going to be an irritant in that very sensitive location? She actually almost seems to be numb down there (she has hidden spina bifida, which is what's causing her bladder problems in the first place). But I don't want to irritate the skin.

Kathleen



Witch hazel for the wipes

Hydrogen peroxide to soak the catheters
 

rob0126

Veteran Member
If it were me, I would go to a medical supply store, or just ask her doctor what you can use. I'm beginning to see disinfecting wipes back on the shelves here, but I don't believe they would be the kind for use on sensitive skin.
We have had problems with most baby wipes giving infections in personal areas.

(I dont know what they are putting in them but its not good.)

Wiping the behind, not so much.

One that doesnt seem to cause problems is 7th generation brand.
Walmart carries them as well as publix.

OT: Hydrogen Peroxide 3% cleans dead stuff.

Also Good for swishing in the mouth (half/half water) from time to time. keeps cavities down.
 
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SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We have had problems with most baby wipes giving infections in personal areas.

(I dont know what they are putting in them but its not good.)

Wiping the behind, not so much.

One that doesnt seem to cause problems is 7th generation brand.
Walmart carries them as well as publix.

OT: Hydrogen Peroxide 3% kills dead things.

Also Good for swishing in the mouth (half/half water) from time to time. keeps cavities down.

We've never used baby wipes, although, I do have a few cases tucked away. I have a huge stash of cheap wash cloths that are intended to be used in the event we run out of toilet paper in a SHTF event. Exactly like bethshaya posted in her comment above. Post #18.
 

TerryK

TB Fanatic
Disregard. Son told me this is not for use in genital areas

During my month and a half in the hospital and for several weeks after, this is what the hospital uses and what I used at home. It is also what my son, a nurse practitioner uses when he does wound care for patients.
It is used around incisions and wounds and doesn't seem to irritate the skin.
Use with a damp wash cloth.
Rinse if desired.
I used this to shower and on healing incisions after I got out of the hospital from my necrotized gall bladder and all the complications and infections that followed.
Notice that it is available at most drug stores and even Walmart. Probably at Amazon too.
Good Luck

It is Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4%


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Ragnarok

On and On, South of Heaven
Wipes are always in my hurricane supplies. One thing I learned in the military is they will do a good job cleaning when you can't shower or wash due to no water. It is amazing how just cleaning the dirt off at the end of the day can rejuvenate you...

I have never had a problem getting wipes in my area. Even when hurricanes threaten, people clean out the Baby Wipes aisle but no one checks by the make-up/make-up remover... Those shelves are always fully stocked and I prefer those because they have an exfoliating surface on them ( little bumps to really scrub away the dirt )
 

hunybee

Veteran Member
I get the need for gentleness and cleanliness in that very tender area so I would suggest making your own baby wipes using simple hot water, baby oil, and baby wash. Here's a video that explains both the "how-to" and ingredients. (If you feel the paper towels would be too rough-ish, then I would suggest cleaning, boiling and drying soft cloths cut up in squares to put in the mixture.)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfMtPKb3k4M


As far as the catheters go, do they hold up to sterilizing in hot boiling water?


be careful making too many wipes at once. a few years ago, there was a recall on baby wipes because of a mold and bacterial problem. they were trying to not have any alcohol or preservative in them. i get the reasoning for not wanting the alcohol in there as it can be very irritating to the skin, but it was there to kill germs in the wipes themselves. there was a mold and bacterial problem and people were getting sick. so now, they have a safe and gentle preservative. i try to avoid unnecessary chemicals and preservatives. read that again.... UNNECESSARY. there are times when they are needed, and wipes are one of them.

we also use wipes in our house after bowel movements, and used wet washclothes when we were extra poor. i didn't like not being clean, and it bothered the kids as well, so that's what we did. years later, at a dr visit, that came up. i told the dr what our system was, and she was very happy with it. she said she wished more people did this as it is just a basic hygiene thing that drs wished their patients would do. nothing with antibacterial anything, but just basic water or soap and water, or baby wipes. we just throw them in the garbage, and don't flush them.

kathleen, if it was me, i would just use a warm, lightly soapy wet washcloth and then wipe with plain water. whoever said to be careful using antibacterial wipes not intended for human skin was correct. not really a good idea as the chemical could cause health problems, and using and antibacterial in that area can cause OTHER problems, like a yeast infection.

also, there is a product that is absolutely excellent for body odor. it is called lume


it is the BEST at eliminating body odor every single place on the body. in your pits and your privates and your feet and and anywhere on the body. it was developed by a doctor, and they are getting more and more products. this is not really what your question was about, but it really can help the body odor issue. lots of bedridden people use it and it works!
 

Ping Jockey

Inactive
I get the need for gentleness and cleanliness in that very tender area so I would suggest making your own baby wipes using simple hot water, baby oil, and baby wash. Here's a video that explains both the "how-to" and ingredients. (If you feel the paper towels would be too rough-ish, then I would suggest cleaning, boiling and drying soft cloths cut up in squares to put in the mixture.)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfMtPKb3k4M


As far as the catheters go, do they hold up to sterilizing in hot boiling water?
You can add a wee bit of witch hazel to the ingredients for making wipes as well.

 

Delta

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Keep the catheter in a baggie of white vinegar. Before use, rinsed it off. After use wash it with soap and water, then back into the vinegar. On the body parts, use baby wipes.
 
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