What damage can incontinence do to the skin?
Prolonged contact of the skin with urine or faeces leads to a specific form of moisture-associated skin damage, known as incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). While this is a common condition encountered in all areas of nursing practice, gaps remain in our understanding of the many contributing factors.
What do you put on macerated skin?
How is it treated?
- Occlusive dressings. These are nonabsorbent and wax-coated, making them both airtight and watertight.
- Hydrofiber dressings. These are sterile gauze pads and bandages that absorb extra moisture during the healing process.
How do you prevent skin breakdown from incontinence?
Consider using a skin sealant or moisture barrier. Creams or ointments that contain zinc oxide, lanolin, or petrolatum form a protective barrier on the skin. Some skin care products, often in the form of a spray or a towelette, create a clear, protective film over the skin.
What type of incontinence is most damaging to the skin?
Patients with faecal incontinence are more likely to develop IAD compared with those who have urinary incontinence (Gray and Giuliano, 2018). This is because faeces contain biolytic (lipid-digesting) and proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes that are damaging to the skin.
What causes skin breakdown in the elderly?
Friction, shear, moisture, pressure, and trauma are all causes of skin breakdown. These factors can work together or alone to damage and injure skin. Immobility, poor nutrition, incontinence, medications, hydration, impaired mental status, and loss of sensation are other culprits in skin breakdown.
How do you prevent IADS?
Current IAD prevention strategies include cleansing, moisturising and the application of skin protectants or moisture barriers (Gray et al, 2002). Treatment includes protecting the skin from further exposure to irritants, establishing a healing environment, and eradicating cutaneous infections (Gray et al, 2002).
Is zinc a good barrier cream?
Zinc oxide in the barrier cream works by forming a protective layer on top of the skin. The zinc barrier protects the skin against moisture, allergens, and irritants. However, zinc oxide powder is only used to treat oozing or weeping associated with poison sumac, poison oak, and poison ivy.
Why does moisture cause skin breakdown?
Intertriginous dermatitis (ITD), also referred to as intertrigo, results from sweat being trapped in skin folds with minimal air circulation. When the sweat is not able to evaporate, the stratum corneum becomes overly hydrated and macerated, facilitating friction damage that is often mirrored on both sides of the fold.
What happens if skin stays wet?
Excessive exposure to moisture can cause maceration, a serious problem for your skin. Skin maceration happens when your skin is broken down by moisture on a cellular level. Once this damage occurs, your skin is much more vulnerable to other types of problems and complications.
What does intertrigo smell like?
Intertrigo patients complain of redness, burning, and itching in the skin folds, most commonly in the groin, under the breast, and in the armpits. Occasionally, long-standing intertrigo may produce a musty smell.
How to heal intertrigo?
Put some drops of lemon juice in your bath water
How to get rid of monilial intertrigo?
Home remedies for intertrigo Keep it clean and dry. The number one rule is to keep the area clean and dry. Use anti-chafing or barrier gels. Block the sweat. Wash with antifungal shampoos. Create a physical barrier. Wear loose clothing and breathable fabrics.
What complications are associated with intertrigo?
– ▸ Erythema to surrounding skin – ▸ Heat – ▸ Oedema, induration or swelling – ▸ Spontaneous pain or pressure pain* – ▸ Stalled wound healing – ▸ Increase and/or change of colour or smell of exudate