If you have urinary incontinence, small leaks, big leaks, or really big leaks, the thought of camping might seem like a bit of a nightmare. But with the right products and a bit of planning, you can get into the great outdoors this summer with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Although, this is Great Britain we’re talking about, so it’s probably going to rain.
Most people enjoy being outdoors, but for those of us with bladder weakness, it can be a point of anxiety. What if there’s no toilet? What if people know I’m wearing a pad? We get it. That’s why we’re going to be going over a few helpful tips that’ll make you a happy camper. Camping is one of those holidays that you can enjoy as a couple, with children, or even a group of friends. But, if you’re regularly leaking pee, you might have put things like going on holiday on the back burner. It’s totally understandable, but you shouldn’t have to stop doing things you love just because you’re incontinent.
Preparation is key!
As the old saying goes, fail to prepare - prepare to fail. Before booking a campsite, check online or give them a ring to make sure there are adequate toilets on site. Most campsites are pretty good nowadays with plenty of well-kept toilets nearby, but it's best to double-check. If it’s a family getaway and the campsite has already been booked, you might just need to have a chat and kindly ask them to cancel and book somewhere else. It’s not ideal, but if it’s for good reason (it is!) then people are usually happy to accommodate.
So, you rock up at the campsite with your swanky new tent. Where’s the best place to pitch up if you wake up a lot in the night to pee? Close to the toilets. There’s some nuance here in getting it right. Too close and you’ll be woken up by other campers doing their business, too far and you’re embarking on a pitch-black midnight trek to the toilet.
The tent is pitched, you’ve got your short-shorts on, and it’s time for fun activities. The last thing you want is to have someone surprise you with a pre-booked crazy activity like bungee jumping or abseiling. So, like before, have a little chat with people beforehand and explain your situation the best you can. This just means you can feel a little more comfortable if everyone else wants to go off cliff diving and you’d prefer a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Don't stop hydrating
It’s quite common for people experiencing bladder leaks to think “If I don’t drink water, I’ve got nothing to leak!” and fair enough, that makes some sense. However, it’s also completely wrong. You may think that avoiding drinking water or other liquids is the answer, especially when heading out on different activities during your trip, but this is never the right thing to do. People with urinary incontinence are encouraged to still drink the recommended allowance of water. If you dehydrate yourself, you could potentially put yourself in danger. Especially in the summer. Plus, dark, concentrated urine that comes with dehydration can irritate your bladder, or cause a UTI. In fact, it’s thought that dehydration is one of the leading causes of UTI’s. You may or may not know that UTI’s are really really bad for people with bladder weakness and should be avoided at all costs.
You want healthy pee, which means drinking a normal amount of water. I appreciate it may go against your current thought process, but stick with it. In the long run, you’ll have a healthier bladder because of it.
Invest in the right incontinence products for your trip
This is probably one of the most important things to think about. By choosing a good quality wearable incontinence product, you can make your life so much easier. If you’re only experiencing small leaks, you can probably get away with bringing some discreet pads with you for the daytime. Their small profile means they fit neatly in your bag, so you can bring a bunch with you without anyone knowing they’re there. Then for the nighttime, maybe a nappy would be a good idea just to give you full coverage and peace of mind. The last thing you want is to leak any pee into your sleeping bag.
Long hike planned? Something with high absorbency might be a good idea. The extra absorbency means you can get a bit of extra purchase out of them before they need changing. Don’t risk going on a big walk without a pad, if you leak into your clothes it might be a while before you can change them. A long walk in damp pants won’t be comfortable. Hitting the trail in super-absorbent, dry pants, that’s the dream. A good wearable incontinence product will be made from breathable materials to promote airflow to the skin, so you should be good to go.
If you’re not really sure which product is right for you, then you should give our handy guide a quick read. It’s got all of the ins and outs of disposable pants, pads and nappies, so that you’re fully clued up on what to wear and why.
It’s worth mentioning at this point that if you need to dispose of a used pad, please don’t just chuck it into the woods. Our nifty XXL nappy bags are apple-scented, so you can bag up your used items, tie them using the extra-long handles and then put them in your bag until you find a bin. Most incontinence pants/pads/nappies come with odour-neutralising technology, but if you’re still worried about potential smells, pop them in the nappy bag, they smell great.
Don't break the bank trying to get hold of good incontinence items
After reading all this, you might be thinking about heading off to the local pharmacy to bag yourself some much needed incontinence supplies. You might want to think twice before you shell out big bucks at the supermarket, when you can find the same great items online for much, much cheaper. If you’re a savvy shopper trying to save some extra pennies, why not take a look at our in-house brand, Vivactive? They’re a premium quality to rival the household brand names (some are even better!) but at a super-affordable price point. The Vivactive brand ethos is all about bringing the best possible products to people at the lowest possible price.
So, now that you’re an incontinence camping expert, get out there and have yourself a great holiday.
