The skin has various significant functions including prevention of loss of body water, temperature control, protection from harmful microbes & substances, and temperature control. It is, therefore, crucial to maintaining the health as well as the integrity of the epidermis, especially if there’s a wound. Healthy individuals are undeniably able to take care of their dermis on their own when the injury is chronic. While, in case of a severe wound, many need to approach healthcare professionals in order to get the purpose accomplished.
Possessing years of experience and extensive skills in the area, clinicians, first of all, perform Skin Assessment. It’s a process in which the entire skin of a sufferer is examined for abnormalities. It requires touching and looking at the dermis from head to toe, with a special emphasis on skin folds & bony prominences. It is repeated regularly to determine whether changes in skin’s condition have occurred or not. The foremost goal of the procedure is to identify problem areas for prevention and treatment.
Crucial factors of skin assessment that you should consider:
Perform a physical assessment
It includes an assessment of skin moisture, colour, temperature, mobility, texture, turgor, as well as lesions. In this, physicians inspect & palpate the toe and fingernails whilst noting their colour as well as shape. Also, check if any lesions are present. It is mainly categorized into two types: primary and secondary. The macule, patch, papule, plaque, nodule, vesicle, cyst, bulla, pustule, and wheal comes under the first category. While, scale, excoriation, and crust are the secondary lesions that can be caused by overtreatment, disease progression, infection, or excessive scratching.
Look out for dry skin
Pruritus and xerosis are the most common skin problems in long-term care facilities. In fact, as of now, you can find many individuals over age 65 who have dry skin. You may know it or not, there are several essential factors that contribute to this particular skin condition. For instance, patients’ habits (alcohol intake, poor nutrition, and smoking), skin cleaners, medications, seasonal changes, and low-humidity environment.
To add to your knowledge, Xerosis is the most frequent cause of pruritus. With dryness occurring over the hands, lower legs, and forearms, your skin may be scaly and rough. The dryness of the skin is not indeed associated with a systematic disease or dermatologic condition. Persistent scratching can cause excoriations that can lead to a skin infection or secondary eczema.
Finally, it can be said that a proper Skin Assessment plays an imperative role to identify early symptoms of skin problems. If you have a serious wound, undergoing this process is beneficial. By doing so, you will not only determine the actual condition of your epidermis but also get effective treatment option from a proficient physician if required.