Abstract

SEGOVIA-GOMEZ, Teresa; BERMEJO MARTINEZ, Mariano  and  GARCIA-ALAMINO, Josep M.. Wet ulcers: understanding them better to able to prevent them. Gerokomos [online]. 2012, vol.23, n.3, pp.137-140. ISSN 1134-928X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1134-928X2012000300009.

The lesions in the sacrum are often classified and treated as pressure ulcers (PUs). However, not all lesions in the sacral area or buttocks are PUs. Sustained contact of skin with moisture from the stool or urine produces changes in the structure and function, altering the skin barrier and causing breakage. The differentiation between pressure ulcers and skin lesions associated with the incontinence is important because preventive measures and care to be applied are different. The patient with fecal incontinence has a risk 22 times higher (odds ratio = 22) to present an ulcer compared to patients without fecal incontinence EVE Scale (Scale Visual Erythema) and PAT (Perineal Assessment Tool) are the two major scales for assessing the risk of such injuries. In daily practice there has traditionally been used a number of marketed products such as diapers, pads, creams,hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, dressings, fecal collectors, cleaners (wipes) and more recently available device (Flexi -Seal^®-Fecal Management System) for the management of IFAD which allows efficient and cost effective treatment. It is necessary to have more awareness about this issue among professionals. The moisture-related injuries are an inevitable consequence of incontinence but may be preventable and it will improve, among other things, the patient's dignity.

Keywords : Pressure ulcers; Incontinence associated dermatitis; Bowel control; Wet ulcer; Prevention; Flexi-Seal^®; Faecal incontinence; Diarrhoea.

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