Periwound Moisture-Associated Skin Damage: Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment

1. Periwound Moisture-Associated Skin Damage: Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment Moisture-associated skin damage or (MASD) occurs when the skin is exposed to various sources of moisture for a significant amount of period. In other words, MASD is a medical condition of skin inflammation or skin erosion due to prolonged exposure to a moist environment. For example, urine or stool wound drainage, mucus, saliva, perspiration, and many other contents. These types of moist wounds not only slow the healing process but can also cause breakdown to the surrounding skin, known as Periwound, leading to changes in wound sizes. This blog explains symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment strategies for MASD. What Are The Risk Factors For MASD? The vulnerable periwound skin surrounding the moist wound is more prone to breakdown or experience damage if the patient is having any of the following conditions: ● Age ● Any type of prior damage such as burns or ultraviolet damage ● Skin damage ● Chronic wounds such as venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers. ● Fistula or stoma exudate ● Increased wound drainage ● Sensitivities ● Fungating tumors ● Full-thickness (third-degree) burns etc. Wound infection can also increase the risk of periwound skin breakdown as it encourages exudate production. In case of any of these conditions with MASD, the patients should immediately contact wound care specialist Los Angeles. The team will identify the condition thoroughly and generate an effective, personalized wound care plan to prevent further damage to the fragile periwound skin. What Causes Periwound Moisture-Associated Skin Damage? After an individual sustains an injury, experiencing wound exudate is a usual part of the healing process. However, the appearance of moist wound healing explains the importance of moisture balance in wound healing outcomes. For example, if there is an excessive amount of wound

2. exudate, it can lead to macerated skin and even break down. This type of skin damage is known as periwound moisture-associated dermatitis. Additionally, the chemical composition present in the wound drainage has a great effect on the volume of periwound skin damage. For example, bacteria, particular proteins, or proteolytic enzymes along with the level of wound exudate can greatly decrease the functionality of the barrier skin and cause maceration. This becomes even more complex if the person is having any type of chronic wound with specific drainage containing a higher concentration of proteolytic enzymes compared to the drainage from acute wounds. Another risk factor affecting the possibility of MASD is damage to the skin caused by harshly removing adhesive dressings, affecting the integrity of the skin barrier. What Are The Symptoms Of Periwound Moisture-Associated Skin Damage? MASD can be recognized by inflammation of the skin, occurring with or without erosion or secondary cutaneous infection. Also, it can be characterized by ● Erythema (can be hard to see in persons with darkly pigmented skin),

3. ● Maceration (skin may look white, pale, grey, and feel softened and/or wrinkled) ● And uncommon edges (as opposed to pressure ulcers as they typically have mismatched edges). ● Apart from this, patients can experience pain, burning, or itching due to skin damage. Wounds with a high volume of exudate are more at the risk of periwound maceration as the moisture is less likely to be reduced by dressing. If a patient notices any of these signs, he/she should immediately book a bedside appointment with Wound Care Experts. What Are The Treatment Options For MASD? Following these precautions can help reduce the risk of developing periwound moisture-associated skin damage along with the associated complications. Apply Suitable Dressing Inhibiting wound drainage is the first and primary step towards treating MASD. Here, choosing an efficient and correct wound dressing plays a vital role. Choose one that ensures the perfect balance of moisture in the wound bed without exposing it to the periwound skin to prevent further breakdown. Use moisture-retentive wound dressings to get the perfect wound environment. Many of these dressings can help decrease the amount of wound exudate accumulating under the dressings, further reducing the risk of skin breakdown. While some can just wick the excess moisture away from the skin. Thereby the Bedside Care Specialist USA needs to choose the most appropriate wound dressings. Usage of Skin Sealants and Moisture Barriers Skin sealants are simply the alcohol-based pipes that doctors use on healthy skin to make it sticky for creating a better surface for adhesive dressings. At the same time, it also protects the skin from adhesive. Patients with pressure ulcers may be treated with spray skin sealants over stage 1 to protect the intact skin. Though the alcohol can cause a mild stinging or burning if applied to the open skin. On the other hand, mixture barriers are creams or ointments that contain dimethicone, petrolatum or zinc oxide and are used on healthy skin to prevent periwound skin damage in areas exposed to incontinence. Though they make the skin oily, they are being less used with adhesive dressings. The best way to prevent periwound moisture-associated skin damage is to check the skin daily for the signs of MASD. When a wound is sustained, identify the risk factors that may cause MASD or breakdown and call Bedside Specialist Care California.