INTRODUCTION
Incontinence affects millions of Americans each year, with a high incidence in the long-term acute care population. Urine and stool can be caustic to the perineal skin. This population of patients can be difficult to treat due to extended serious illnesses and frequent incontinence.

Candida is often seen with extended critical care inpatient stays and multiple antibiotic use.

METHODOLOGY
The objective of the study was to track the incidence of skin breakdown related to incontinence in this population. Good hygiene, toileting programs, antifungal agents where appropriate, and other aspects of care remained constant; only the choice of topical therapy changed. All of the patients had been treated unsuccessfully with other common skin care products, including a prescription trypsin/balsam of Peru ointment and petrolatum or zinc based paste. Nourishing Olivamine-containing treatment cream was used on the study patients perineal areas, on intact and injured skin.

Olivamine is a special blend of ingredients that were developed to be easily absorbed and utilized by the skin cells. Components of Olivamine include bioavailable amino acids, vitamins as their cofactors, hydroxytyrosol, a very potent antioxidant, and methylsulfonylmethane to reduce pain. When an antifungal agent was necessary, a 2% miconazole nitrate was first applied, and then covered with the treatment cream.

RESULTS
We noted substantially improved skin condition on the treated patients after the use of the nourishing Olivamine-containing cream. As these case studies present, there was less redness, denudation, as well as improved skin turgor and feel.

CONCLUSION
The components of a good skin care program should always include cleansing with appropriate skin-friendly cleansers, moisturizing with emollients that will provide moisture and nutrients to the skin and protection from excessive moisture.

We found the Olivamine-containing skin treatment cream to provide the needed tenets for our patients that are incontinent. Further study is warranted to investigate the usage of this new skin treatment cream on the prevention of breakdown due to incontinence.

As well, more study is recommended to determine the best method for overall skin care, including periwound skin, skin tears, and the treatment of dry skin.

REFERENCES
1. www.healthscout.com/ency/1/003976.html
2. www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/47h308371.html
3. Fleck CA, Darlene McCord. The Dawn of Advanced Skin Care, ECPN,
September/October 2004, 32-39.
4. Ovokaitys T, Darlene McCord. Eleven Fold Reduction in Irritation Associated with the use of Amino Acids Using Patented Laser
Electromagnetic Resonance Technology. Presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, Orlando, Florida, 2004.