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Skin Care

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Science and Practice of Pressure Ulcer Management

Abstract

Over the years there has been an incredible technological evolution of different products for skin care in patients at risk of pressure ulcers. The materials applied today are more comfortable for the patient and more user friendly for the caregiver. The surrounding skin to pressure ulcers must be considered as an integral part of the management program and careful evaluation of the anatomy of the area involved is essential. Most of the time patients with pressure ulcer present with eczematous skin, atrophic skin signs and very fragile skin. The area of skin over bony prominences is even more at risk of trauma because of compression. The use of skin moisturizers is mandatory before dressings application and careful evaluation of allergic or irritant contact dermatitis must be also considered. The use of extra padding around bony prominences will prevent further skin breakdown and will contribute to more comfort for the patient quality of life. Proper skin management will improve wound healing and prevention will facilitate a better patient compliance.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital, Cwmbran, UK

    Sue Bale

  2. Department of Dermatology, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Janice Cameron

  3. Hôpital Charles Foix, Ivry sur Seine, France

    Sylvie Meaume

  4. Department of Dermatology, Santa Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Andrea Ingegneri

Authors
  1. Sue Bale
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  2. Janice Cameron
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  3. Sylvie Meaume
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  4. Andrea Ingegneri
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Santa Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Marco Romanelli

  2. Welsh Wound Innovation Centre, Rhondda Cynon Taf Wales, United Kingdom

    Michael Clark

  3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Amit Gefen

  4. Bambino Gesuʼ Childrenʼs Hospital, Rome, Italy

    Guido Ciprandi

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Bale, S., Cameron, J., Meaume, S., Ingegneri, A. (2018). Skin Care. In: Romanelli, M., Clark, M., Gefen, A., Ciprandi, G. (eds) Science and Practice of Pressure Ulcer Management. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-7413-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-7413-4_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-7411-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-7413-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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