Skin Management & Wound Prevention
Skin Pressure
A skin or pressure sore develops when the blood supply to an area of the body is stopped and the skin in that area dies. A person who is bedridden or always in a wheelchair puts pressure on the same places much of the time. This reduces the blood flow to these places, making them more likely to develop open sores.
Skin Shear
Skin shear is an internal force caused when adjacent surfaces slide across each other, which results in twisting and tearing of the underlying blood vessels and leads to tissue ischemia and localized tissue death.
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 Moisture
Skin moisture is a key extrinsic factor in pressure ulcer development. The sources of skin moisture that may predispose the skin to breakdown include perspiration, urine, feces 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.
Edema
Edema (swelling) is the enlargement of organs, skin or other body parts. It is caused by build up of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a rapid increase in weight over a short period of time (days to weeks).