What is the Difference Between Diapers and Briefs?
What is the difference between diapers and briefs?
Diapers and briefs are both products that are designed to catch urine and bowel movement waste. However, there are important differences between the two that may help you choose what is right for you.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Incontinence Product
Adult diapers and pull on underwear must fit snugly around your waist and thighs to be effective at protecting you against urinary and fecal incontinence. Using the wrong size can cause leaks, so be sure to measure your hips and waist before buying.
When choosing a product, you should also consider absorbency and how long it will last. A low-absorbency product might provide adequate protection for a short time, but won’t be able to hold a lot of fluid or soiling. In contrast, higher-absorbency products can keep your urine and bowel movements contained longer.
Getting Started with Adult Diapers and Briefs
The tabs on an adult diaper make it easy to change without removing any other clothing. This makes it more convenient for the caregiver or assistant to manage the changing process, especially if they are assisting someone who is immobile and/or in a wheelchair.
These tabs also allow repeated refastening to ensure a secure fit and minimize leakage. In addition, most briefs are fitted with a wetness indicator strip that can alert the caregiver when it’s time to change the product.
There are also a number of different types of incontinence products that come with tabs, including pull-ups and waterproof pants for use over diapers. The latter are made of any waterproof material, like plastic, vinyl, or rubber and are worn over a cloth diaper to provide additional protection against urine and bowel leakage.
What are the differences between pull-ups and briefs?
Pull-ups (also known as “adult pull-ups”) are a type of diaper that are put on like underwear and feature tearable side panels. While they are more expensive than disposable briefs, many people find that they are less messy to use and are a comfortable choice for those who want the dignity of regular underwear.
If you’re looking for a brief, you’ll find several styles and options, including ones with a cloth-like backing, those with a plastic backing, those with refastenable tabs that can be removed and refastened over and over again, overnight and day-use briefs, and even bariatric briefs.
The difference between an adult diaper and a brief is that with an adult diaper, you can change it yourself or with the assistance of a caregiver, while with a pull-up, you need to have another person do it for you. This can be difficult for many people, especially if you have limited mobility or a loved one who has difficulty lifting their hips up to place a pull-up on them.
If you are a caretaker, you should also keep an eye out for skin rashes that might develop on your loved one’s skin while wearing an adult diaper or brief. This is especially true if they are wearing one for a long period of time or if you’re changing them frequently. Fortunately, some brands of incontinence products, such as Baza Protect Skin Barrier Cream, can be used to heal rashes and prevent them from reoccurring.