Periwound skin care
Skin assessment — focus on periwound skin
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The periwound skin should be examined meticulously as part of holistic wound assessment.
Act early to prevent maceration and skin damage
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Types of exudate
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This healthy exudate helps the
wound to heal, as long as the
healing process is not delayed.
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Excessive exudate associated
with chronic wounds has a
different make-up and can
become a ‘wounding agent’ in
its own right
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About exudate
Exudate is the fluid that leaks from blood
capillaries to help a wound heal. It helps to
maintain a moist wound environment and:
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Removes dead tissue through
autolytic debridement
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Repairs damaged tissue
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Nourishes epithelial cells
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Prevents the wound from drying out.
The volume produced should decrease as
the wound heals, but some chronic wounds
produce too much exudate. If not managed
properly, this can result in delayed healing
and damage to the periwound skin, i.e.
maceration and excoriation.
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Signs that the skin’s integrity is under threat:
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Maceration
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Excoriation
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Erythema (skin redness)
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Loss of colour
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Spongy texture
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Loss of skin integrity
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