Undercover in the personal care aisle

Let’s be honest. There are some products that patients are embarrassed to ask for and shoppers bury under their other purchases. These generally correspond to the parts of our anatomy that we keep hidden from public view. It’s a cultural thing. And, come to think of it, an aesthetic one. Nonetheless, whether young or old, as long as we inhabit bodies, we will need help keeping them healthy and happy. Fortunately, an array of products has been designed for that very purpose. Here are some of the latest.

Diaper rash

For the young of the species, there’s Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, created by a pharmacist and presented in three formulations. Boudreaux’s Original was designed for use with every diaper change, to prevent and treat rash. It spreads on easily and wipes off quickly, with a pleasant scent that the manufacturer claims “you won’t smell on your baby from a mile away.” Ingredients include zinc oxide, castor oil, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, and Peruvian b

alsam. All-Natural Boudreaux’s was formulated with the enviro-mom in mind. It treats and helps protect against rash using such ingredients as aloe vera, zinc oxide, beeswax, castor oil, citric acid, and Peruvian balsam. Then there’s Maximum Strength Boudreaux’s, which ups the zinc oxide content from 16% to 40%. It still goes on and wipes off easily, and has the same pleasant aroma of the other products. These products can be used liberally and often to make Baby comfortable and fend off diaper rash. They are available in stores at Target, Kmart, and Toys “R” Us, and online at walmart.com, amazon.com, drugstore.com, and other sites. (www.buttpaste.com)

Two Mission Pharmacal products also were formulated to address the problem of diaper rash. For babies, Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Spray easily applies, hands-free, to create a moisture barrier that treats diaper rash and protects even the most sensitive skin from wetness. Spraying it on does it all; no need to rub it in and possibly irritate Baby’s tender bottom. The propellant is free of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It should not cake or run, and the company says that the technology of the actuator and propellant minimizes the possibility of overspray, as does the product’s rich consistency. The new spray is currently available at Walgreens.com and Drugstore.com, as well as on store shelves at retailers such as Schnucks, Dierbergs, Kroger stores, and others.

Dr. Smith's Rash+Skin Spray image courtesy of Mission PharmacalFor adults, there’s Dr. Smith’s Rash+Skin Spray, to help treat and prevent rashes and skin irritations arising from adult incontinence. It can also relieve chapped or cracked skin, chafing due to skin-on-skin contact, skin irritations associated with athletic activity, and skin irritated from laser dermabrasion or superficial cuts, scrapes, and burns. This spray uses the same HFC- and VOC-free propellant, said by the manufacturer to be one of the most environmentally preferable aerosol technologies available today. (www.doctorsmiths.com) (Dr. Smith's images courtesy of Mission Pharmacal)

Bladder leakage

For adult women dealing with sensitive bladders and bladder leakage, Procter and Gamble has designed a line of products it has dubbed Always Discreet. These include panty liners, pads, and underwear. Company literature describes the liners as comfortably flexible and ultra-thin, with a component that neutralizes odors and and a core designed to withstand leaks. They are available in very light and ultra-thin versions. The pads feature two soft “leakguards” to stop bladder leaks, said to absorb twice as much as women may need. Like the liners, the pads are very thin and flexible, and have the same capacity to neutralize odor. Users can choose between Moderate, Maximum, and Ultimate options. The Always Discreet underwear is built around a core with three layers for protection against leaks and features the double leakguards and odorless technology included in the pads. The curve-hugging underwear is constructed in a soft, cottonlike fabric and is available in Moderate and Maximum options. Always Discreet is available at all major supermarkets, pharmacies and mass retail locations nationwide, in the adult incontinence aisle. (www.alwaysdiscreet.com) (Always Discreet product image courtesy of Procter & Gamble)

While we’re on the subject of protective underclothes, more products to consider come from Kimberly-Clark: Depend for Women Underwear and Depend for Men Underwear, both with what the manufacturer has termed Fit-Flex Protection. Styled in small/medium, large, and extra-large, Depend for Women Underwear are specially made to fit comfortably, in a slip-on style that features oval-cut leg openings. The Lycra strands in the Fit-Flex Protection ensure a smooth, body-hugging fit. The men’s product, Depend for Men Underwear, is available in two sizes, small/medium and large/extra-large, styled with more Lycra strands for a discreet, comfortable, and close-to-body fit. With snug, brief-like leg openings and protection up front, they pull on and off for easy use. Products are available at major retailers nationwide. (www.depend.com)

There is hope for sensitive bladders, and one new option is AZO Bladder Control, a drug-free dietary supplement that helps users control the urge to urinate. Ingredients include a naturally sourced blend of pumpkin-seed extract and soybean isoflavones that helps optimize normal bladder activity and bladder strength. Pumpkin seed and soy isoflavones are said to support or maintain the strength of the muscles of the bladder, which can help to alleviate the fear, worry, and potential embarrassment caused by occasional urgency and frequency. According to company literature, pumpkin seed supports the integrity and function of the bladder muscles to help keep the bladder working as it should, while isoflavones help to relax the bladder muscle and help sustain muscular strength in the pelvic floor  - the muscles used to control urinary flow. [These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.] Available at Walmart, Target, and Walgreens nationwide. (www.azobladder.com)

Relief and support

Relief for sensitive anatomy also motivated the design of a trio of new products from Monistat Complete Care. The Vaginal Health Test is a one-step pH test that can determine whether an infection is present and help women decide whether they need to seek care from a healthcare professional. Probiotics Plus Antioxidants provide the only antioxidant strains that have been clinically proven to help maintain both urinary tract and vaginal health. Each capsule combines vitamins A and C for immune support with Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which have shown to be effective in managing recurrent urinary tract infections and recurrent yeast infections. Stay Fresh Feminine Freshness Gel is an easy-to-use, odor-neutralizing gel that is specially formulated to maintain vaginal pH balance. One application lasts for up to three days. The three new products join Monistat’s Chafing Relief Powder Gel and Instant Itch Relief Cream to round out the Complete Care product line. Available at major retailers nationwide. (www.monistat.com) (Monistat product images courtesy of Insight Pharmaceuticals)