Getting wet in public urine is a much more common problem than people might think and can be a simple accident or have medical causes. That said, it is still a stressful and embarrassing situation. Don't make a fuss of it! Accidents can always happen, and while it may seem difficult to manage them efficiently, know that it is indeed possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Hiding the Incident
Step 1. Use what you have available
Find materials nearby to help make the stain less visible; don't be afraid to be a little creative.
- Wrap a sweater around your waist or put a purse, hat, or handbag right in front of the affected area.
- Use your body. Change your posture or bring / cross your hands over the most visibly moist areas.
- If there are other liquids nearby (soft drink, juice and so on) drop a small amount on the wet fabric; in doing so, you cover up any bad smells or stains and you have a valid excuse. Use this method only if you are sure that the liquid will wash off the dress or if you don't mind the fact that it can stain the item of clothing.
- Wet the bottom area completely, climate permitting, to make the color of the clothes uniform. This remedy may be a little uncomfortable, but it makes it less noticeable that you urinated on clothing.
Step 2. Come up with a credible excuse
The truth is never a bad option, especially if what happened is obvious; if not, find a simple and plausible reason.
- Don't overdo the excuses; the more explanations you try to provide, the more "suspicious" the situation becomes.
- Use valid arguments, such as sitting on a spilled liquid and finding a bath if you haven't already.
Step 3. Find a way to distract other people
Draw their attention to something other than your body and look for a way out.
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Ask people around you what they think is happening on the other side of the room, or make a quirky statement that forces people to look away before answering.
- What kind of food are they serving?
- Why are Anna and Luca hugging? I thought they got a divorce.
- Look! They're broadcasting Jennifer Lopez's new music video!
- That boy just can't play basketball!
Part 2 of 4: Clean up
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 4 Step 1. Find a bathroom
Look around casually and go to the nearest toilet. In this room you will be able to analyze the situation efficiently and manage it in the most appropriate way.
Make sure you don't attract attention. Walk naturally to the bathroom; other people may not even have noticed your problems
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 5 Step 2. Find someone you trust
An ally can help you get to the toilets unnoticed, provide you with clothes and other solutions that you wouldn't have access to on your own.
- You may even find, after looking around, that you are surrounded by friends and therefore have no reason to panic.
- If you don't find anyone to rely on, remember that you are your best friend; trust your abilities and the fact that you are able to successfully overcome this situation on your own.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 6 Step 3. Check the wet spot
Try to gauge how visible it is and what you need to do to remedy it. You may realize that you can't see it and that you don't have to do anything, but it could also be a desperate situation.
Take your time. If you look at the stain too hastily, you may overestimate or underestimate how visible it is
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 7 Step 4. Refresh the clothes
When in the bathroom, scrub the stain as best you can. In most toilets you can find soap, water, paper or air towels. All of these items are perfect for removing stains or bad smells from clothes.
- Remove the "offending" item of clothing and scrub the fabric on itself, using soap and cold water inside the sink. Afterwards, soak up the excess moisture with paper towels or the air device until it is completely dry.
- Rub vigorously or gently, depending on the type of fabric that has become soiled.
- If you feel uncomfortable undressing, try to scrub the urine stain as best you can and then dry the garment without taking it off. The simple excuse: "I spilled something on myself" should suffice as a credible explanation.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 8 Step 5. Wash yourself
Clean the skin that has come into contact with urine using soap and water. In this way, you prevent the stench of pee from being felt later and at the same time stop bacterial proliferation.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 9 Step 6. Clean the area
If you have wet a chair or left a "puddle" on the floor, try to absorb the liquid; its presence may "reveal" the accident you have had or cause someone to slip and you should therefore clean up quickly.
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Grab a handful of paper towels from the bathroom. Lightly moisten some with soap and water, but keep the others dry; if there are no such towels, use toilet paper. Try to absorb the urine, scrub the floor with damp towels and wipe the surface with dry ones.
To proceed without attracting attention, you can use your foot to scrub the surface. If someone notices what you are doing, provide a plausible excuse
- Throw the dirty towels into the bathroom trash can and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Part 3 of 4: Dealing with Embarrassment
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 10 Step 1. Don't panic
Regardless of the severity of the accident, you may find that you are entering a severe state of anxiety. This emotional reaction only hurts you and could pique people's interest in the situation that would otherwise go unnoticed.
- To keep the panic from getting worse and worse, breathe deeply using your diaphragm. Try to distract your mind with small games, for example by counting how many electrical outlets there are in the room or which objects are blue in color.
- Stress could be the root cause of the accident; Stress urinary incontinence is a real problem, so you don't have to worry too much.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 11 Step 2. Try to have a little sense of humor
Try to laugh at what happened; you may find yourself in the situation where everyone present has seen you peeing on yourself, but if you don't allow this to make you uncomfortable, others won't have a problem either.
- Emotions are contagious. If you experience shame, sadness, or stress, those around you react the same way; thanks to a sense of humor, you are more likely to trigger a positive response.
- Studies have shown that smiling makes you happy. Even if you don't feel this mood, the action of smiling alone can give you some relief.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 12 Step 3. Remember other embarrassing stories
Everyone has experienced one: friends, family and work colleagues. You are a human being and therefore you make mistakes; an incident like this does not label you definitively.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 13 Step 4. Don't dwell too much on the past
If you live in the present moment, you realize that there is nothing to be embarrassed about, because it is a momentary situation.
Stop apologizing. This attitude constantly brings the mind back to the past, on an issue that was simply an accident. You are living in the present and in the present moment there is nothing to apologize for
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Future Accidents
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 14 Step 1. Listen to the body
If you feel the need to go to the bathroom, go there now!
Look for a toilet even if you are in the middle of a conversation; the other interlocutors will understand and you will avoid an unpleasant situation
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 15 Step 2. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings
If you are in a place where bathrooms are difficult to access, change your fluid intake.
- During a theatrical performance or an opera it may not be allowed to leave the hall.
- Air travel, concerts and sports matches are contexts where access to the toilet is known to be a problem.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 17 Step 3. Regulate your fluid intake
Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol in a short time, as this substance is diuretic. The combination of a relaxed body and impaired judgment can cause a major accident.
- Before you start drinking, check where the nearest bathroom is.
- Ask friends to tell you when they go to the bathroom and go with them. You may forget or not understand how intense your urge to urinate is.
- Use a calculator to find out your BAC and know exactly how drunk you are; you may not immediately feel the effects of an alcoholic and continue drinking.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 18 Step 4. Put on absorbent products
Purchase adult diapers or sanitary napkins. You may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable, but these devices catch any urine leaks.
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Adult people wear diapers or pads for many different reasons responsible for incontinence problems:
- Urinary infections;
- Prostatic hypertrophy;
- Specific pathologies (Parkinson's disease, arthritis, dementia, and so on);
- Pregnancy;
- Postmenopause.
Cope if You Wet Yourself in Public Step 16 Step 5. Get medical help
If incontinence is a constant problem, you may be suffering from a disease, such as an overactive bladder. The doctor is able to provide you with the help you need and you will not be forced to constantly face embarrassing situations.
Advice
- If you have to sit for a while, console yourself with the knowledge that the stain will dry within 30 to 60 minutes, depending on its size.
- If you are wearing dark colored pants or leggings, the wet area may not be visible.
- If this kind of accident happens to you often, you may be suffering from some problems with your bladder, spinal cord, or autonomic nervous system. Visit your doctor for more information.
