Urinary Catheter Lubricants

Top 5 Catheter Lubricants

Reviewed by Christine Kijek, Registered Colorectal Nurse, on August 16, 2022

A plastic tube in structure, catheters are inserted into body cavities, incisions, ducts, and vessels for treatment or rehabilitation purposes. Catheters are a highly important component of a number of devices that help in procedures such as ostomy, angioplasty, IVF, and many more.

But inserting a catheter can be an arduous task for a doctor and moreover for a patient. Insertion of the catheter inside the urethra is specifically a difficult task as it is prone to trauma and pain.

A simple substance comes to the rescue. Catheter lubricants are jelly like substances that help smooth the process of insertion and removal of the catheter. Applied on the outer surface of the catheter, they are made of a natural water-soluble gum substance. Different types of catheter lubes have a different kind of density with some being very dense while some are watery in texture. Some are sterile while others are not, so be sure to choose a sterile version for lubricating your urinary catheter. Using a sterile lubricant reduces the risk of an infection. Specifically, the odds of urinary tract infection were highly reduced since the usage of lubricating gel for catheters began. There are a number of different brands that cater to the catheter lubricant needs.

Why does one need to lubricate the catheter?

Lubricating the catheter began when people realized that there were easier and painless ways of inserting the catheter into an orifice. But using the right kind of lubricant for catheters became paramount as an invasive kind of chemical would complicate things even more. Lubricants help in the following:

• Reducing the risk of trauma or pain during insertion
• Reducing friction which might result in rashes or injuries
• Reducing pain
• Dilating the urethra or an orifice if narrow

Which catheter lubricant products should you choose?

Choosing the right kind of personal lubricant for a catheter is important as the wrong lubricant might worsen problems and result in reactions with the skin or urethra and cause infections or trauma. Many a time, not emphasizing on the right lubricant can make you choose one that might be harmful to your body and might also have chemicals that the user might be allergic to. Hence, we have listed five of the best catheter lubricants to choose from.

Top 5 Catheter Lubricants

What is self-catheterization?

Self-cathing is an integral part of catheterization. Your professional medical help must have told you about how to do cathing on your own; however, you must learn a lot before doing the process. Additionally, understanding self-catheterization gives you the liberty to do it at any time. That said, it is also true that cathing is not as easy as it might sound; however, you can always find ways to make it simpler.

How do you self-cath at home?

Follow step-by-step instructions while applying your own logic and reason, and you are half-way through it. Here are some things you must bear in mind while cathing yourself.

• Collect all your supplies beforehand. You don't want to make the task complicated for you; thus, keeping everything around you in the bathroom is the best way to start your self-cathing session.
• Sterilization is a necessity. There are very high risks of contamination if you are self-catheterizing. In such a condition, it is better to keep your environment sterilized. Wash your hands properly and put your gloves on before starting.
• Do as told. Your medical professional must have given you some directions or instructions to follow. It is always recommended you go by the rules to minimize all the risks.
• Different catheters for different bodies. Humans are distinctive, and our anatomies differ widely; this means that what fits you might not fit somebody else. Therefore, it is often advised to go for personalized catheters. It will protect you from any mishaps and injuries and ensure that you always stay hygienic and away from infections.
• Water is the key. The more you hydrate, the easier the process becomes to carry out. Water is crucial to keep your bladder healthy, which in turn keeps your overall health in check. Do not avoid hydrating yourself, especially before and after self-catheterizing.
• The product comes with a manual. The medical practitioner will help you understand catheters; all of this will benefit you while carrying the process alone in your washroom.
• Be mindful of minute details, be on the safe side, read as much as you can on the internet, and ask your doctor. There is no harm in clearing your doubts.
• Reusing the catheters is a big NO. Your hygiene should be your biggest priority, and if you reuse a used catheter, it will make your perineal skin prone to getting infections. It can also contaminate your environment rendering you and your family infected by germs and bacteria; thus, prefer not to reuse a used catheter.
• Refrain from using somebody else's. Keeping in mind the grave consequences of compromising hygiene, you should always go for personalized products and refrain from using somebody else's catheter kit.
• Only catheter lubricants for lubrication. Please do not go for petroleum-based jellies to lubricate, as they will not give you the smoothness essential for a hassle-free cathing session. Catheter lubricants are specifically manufactured for this purpose; therefore, always choose to buy urinary catheter lubricants instead of a normal petrol- jelly.
• Keep your kit with you wherever you go. You may never know when you may need to self-catheterize yourself in such a scenario. If you have your kit with you, it becomes a matter of just a few minutes to do the process. This will help you while travelling often too.
• Dates are important. Always check for the expiry date, as using an expired product can have serious repercussions.
• Do not ignore the signs. At any given point, if you feel discomfort or signs or symptoms of a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), please rush to your doctor. Do not avoid it as it can lead to fatal ailments later on.
• Keep yourself calm. Doing the cathing process on your own for the first time can give you anxiety and stress; you can try calming techniques to keep yourself cool and composed. Do not rush, be patient with yourself throughout the process.  

 

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