Skin Care Protection - Maintaining Skin Integrity

There are three steps that help keep skin from becoming damaged:

1. Cleanse properly

2. Protect skin from becoming too moist

3. Keep skin from becoming too dry

In a patient who is incontinent, excess moisture comes from several sources, including urine, liquid stool, and sweat (when using a pad or brief). The risk of skin damage depends on how much and how often incontinence occurs and whether the use of a pad or brief keeps waste material next to the surrounding skin. Moisture that remains on the skin will sink in and soften the skin. The skin then loses its natural ability to act as a barrier, and can no longer protect itself against irritation from urine or feces.

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