Skin Management & Wound Prevention
Skin Moisture
Skin moisture is a key external factor in pressure ulcer development. The sources of skin moisture that may predispose the skin to breakdown include perspiration, urine, faeces and fistula or wound drainage.
Skin Temperature
Patients with compromised tissue already at risk for pressure ulcers may have increased demands for oxygen in excess of their metabolic capabilities.
Skin Pressure
A skin or pressure sore develops when the blood supply to an area of the body stops and the skin in that area dies. A person who is bedridden or always in a wheelchair puts pressure on the same areas much of the time. This reduces the blood flow to these areas, making them more likely to develop open sores.
Skin Friction
Skin friction is the force caused when two touching surfaces move in opposite directions and may result in superficial scuffing or abrasion of the skin.
Skin Shear Stress
Skin shear stress is an internal stress caused when adjacent surfaces slide across each other, which results in twisting and tearing of the underlying blood vessels and leads to tissue ischaemia and localised tissue death.
Edema
Edema (swelling) is the enlargement of organs, skin or other body parts. It is caused by a build up of fluid in the tissues.