We all need basic daily hygiene. Dirt and grime, which normally contain different kinds of germs, settle on the surface of your skin. DAILY cleansing with soap and water by taking showers, tub baths, bed baths, or sponge baths is essential to keep your skin, which is the biggest organ of your body, healthy.
For the SCI, sitting in a wheelchair all day long with frequent weight shifts doesn't give air much of a chance to freely circulate in the groin area. Having your legs close together most of the day gives those normal body germs what they like most - a nice warm, dark, moist place to reproduce. If you're wearing some sort of plastic or rubber urine collecting device, such as condom catheter, foley catheter or leg bag, the chance of making that breeding ground more enticing to germs increases. The following are some tips and suggestions on SCI DAILY hygiene, daily being the key word.
Wash your groin area in the morning AND again before going to bed.
When possible, sleep without underwear.
Always thoroughly dry your groin area and in between your toes after bathing.
Change or clean your urine collecting equipment every day.
For any dry skin areas, use lotion to soothe it. Dry skin can crack and turn into pressure sores.