If you have been told that the best solution for your incontinence are male external catheters or you are planning to try this system, this information will help you wear the device more comfortably and get the most wear time from it. Not all condom catheters are the same, so you may need to try several types before finding the one that suits you best.
Originally condom catheters were just that – a condom with the end cut off, so it could be attached to a drainage tube and collection bag away from the body. Now these devices are very carefully made. They come in several sizes, with and without adhesive and with other special features. The National Association for Continence (NAFC) advises that you see a nurse specialist who is experienced in sizing and teaching men to use condom catheters.
Here are basic tips to get you started right with Male External Catheters:
• Buy the right size. A measuring guide will help you select the size that is best for you.
• Clip hair on and/or around your penis and any pubic hair that might get caught as the condom catheter is rolled to the base of the penis.
• Wash your penis and blot dry. The skin must be dry and warm. If you have just taken a hot shower and your bathroom is steamy, you will need to wait or move to a room where the air is not so moist.
• Apply a skin prep sealant. Allow the sealant to dry until it is slick and smooth. There are two purposes for this skin sealant. It will protect your skin from perspiration and urine moisture; and when you remove the condom catheter, the layer of skin sealant – not the external layer of your skin – will be removed.
• Hold your penis and place the rolled condom catheter over it. Leave enough space at the end of the condom catheter so the head of your penis does not rub against the inside of it. Most uncircumcised men leave their foreskin in place, over the head of the penis. Serious swelling of the foreskin, called “phimosis”, may result if the foreskin of the uncircumsized man is not kept over the head of the penis.
• Unroll the adhesive-coated sheath slowly, pressing the condom against your skin. When the condom is completely unrolled, grip your penis all around for 10-15 seconds to be sure that any wrinkles in the condom are sealed together and to eliminate any air bubbles. If there are many wrinkles in the sheath, then the condom catheter is probably too large.
• Sometimes the condom catheter does not fully unroll, and a roll of the condom will remain at the base of the penis. You should carefully snip the remaining roll in several places or remove it completely to ensure that the roll will not cause pressure sores at the base of the penis or cause the condom catheter to come off.
Male External Catheters: Latex Allergies and Adhesives
Non-latex condom catheters are available for those who may have a latex allergy. This is particularly important for people with spina bifida. Another advantage of the non-latex condom catheters is the clear material from which they are made. This allows you to see through it to check for proper placement when you are putting it on and to keep tabs on the condition of your skin while you are wearing it.
There are also a variety of condom catheters without adhesive. If you are going to wear a condom catheter during the day, but not at night, you probably should consider one without adhesive. If you have recently had prostate surgery and you urinate regularly but still have some leakage in between, or you do intermittent catheterization and you still have leakage in between, you should consider either a reusable condom catheter that is held in place with an inflatable ring or the self-adhesive condom catheter that has a removable tip. They can be easily removed and replaced each time you urinate or catheterize.
You may also find our Male External Catheter Troubleshooting Guide helpful.
Source: National Association for Continence
Always consult your doctor before trying anything recommended in this article or any other publication that speaks to general health issues.
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