The periwound skin wasnt torn open by your wound, but its still affected.
The trauma of the wound and the ongoing work of wound healing make the periwound area especially sensitive.
Because of that, its prone to skin damage, which can slow your wound healing.
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This is known as moisture-associated skin damage.
Its characterized by a red area that may become irritated or painful.
Dressings often involve gauze or medical tape, which can irritate the periwound skin.
They can strip away protective layers of the skin and cause repeat physical trauma if they are removed abruptly.
This is also known as medical adhesive-related skin Injury (MARSI).
More than 25% of people recovering from surgery experience MARSI in their periwound area.
This will help you keep track of healing and notice anysigns of infectionquickly.
Any changes to the periwound area could be signs of periwound injury.
Healthy periwound skin can speed up wound healing, while damaged periwound skin can slow it down.
Summary
The periwound area extends about 1.5 inches from the edges of a wound.
It includes fragile skin that has been impacted by a wound.
Carefully removing adhesives and using barrier cream can help prevent this.
Talk to your healthcare provider not only about caring for your wound, but for the periwound area too.
Its becoming clear that caring for the periwound area is an important part of wound care.
If you notice any changes to the periwound area, dont hesitate to talk with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Periwound skin damage is irritation to the skin around a wound.
Treat periwound skin gently.
Induration is hard patches of skin that appear slick or shiny.It can be a sign of infection.
So, if you notice it, speak with your healthcare provider.
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