Lantiseptic is a lanolin-based skin protectant cream designed primarily to shield skin from moisture damage caused by incontinence. It works by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface that seals out urine, stool, and other irritants, helping to prevent and relieve rashes, chafing, and skin breakdown. Made by DermaRite, it’s widely used in nursing homes, hospitals, and home care settings.
Primary Uses
Lantiseptic’s core purpose is protecting skin that’s repeatedly exposed to moisture. Its most common applications include preventing and treating rashes caused by urinary or fecal incontinence, protecting chafed or irritated skin from further damage, and sealing out wetness in skin folds or other areas prone to moisture buildup.
A related formulation, Lantiseptic Dry Skin Therapy, extends the use case to minor wound care. That version temporarily protects minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, and helps prevent chapped or cracked skin from worsening. It should not be used on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
How It Works
The cream’s key ingredient is lanolin at a 50% concentration, which is unusually high compared to most skin care products. Lanolin is a waxy substance derived from sheep’s wool that closely mimics the natural oils in human skin. At this concentration, it creates a thick, protective barrier that sits on top of the skin, preventing irritants like urine and feces from making direct contact while still allowing the skin underneath to breathe. The barrier also locks in the skin’s own moisture, which helps damaged or irritated skin heal.
How to Apply It
For incontinence care, start by cleaning the area thoroughly and removing any urine or fecal matter, then pat the skin completely dry. Apply a generous layer of the cream to the affected area. Reapply after every incontinence episode, or more often if needed. You don’t need to fully remove the old layer each time unless the skin needs cleaning. The goal is to maintain a consistent protective barrier so the skin is never left exposed to moisture.
For minor cuts, scrapes, burns, or chapped skin (using the Dry Skin Therapy version), apply liberally to the affected area as needed.
Who Uses Lantiseptic
The product is most commonly associated with elderly care, particularly for adults managing incontinence. Caregivers in long-term care facilities use it as part of a standard skin care protocol to prevent incontinence-associated dermatitis, a painful condition where prolonged moisture exposure causes the skin to become red, raw, and prone to breakdown. Left untreated, this type of skin damage can progress to open sores and increase the risk of infection.
Lantiseptic is also used for other situations involving skin-on-skin friction or trapped moisture, such as irritation under the breasts, between skin folds, or in the groin area. Some caregivers use it for diaper rash in infants, though the product’s labeling and marketing focus primarily on adult incontinence care.
Lanolin Allergy Concerns
Because the cream is 50% lanolin, anyone with a known lanolin allergy should avoid it entirely. Signs of an allergic reaction include skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. These reactions require prompt medical attention. Even without a true allergy, some people experience mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness when using lanolin-based products, though this is uncommon and usually resolves on its own.
If you’ve never used a lanolin product before and want to check for sensitivity, try applying a small amount to a patch of unaffected skin on your inner forearm and waiting 24 hours before using it on irritated areas.