Care of the Skin - Personal Hygiene

Care of the Skin

The skin is an active organ with the factious of protection, secretion, excretion, temperature regulation and sensation. The skin has three primary layers. Epidermis, Dermis, and Subcutaneous

Bacteria commonly reside on the skin’s outer surface.

1.        Immobilization.

2.        Reduced sensation.

3.        Poor nutrition.

4.        Dehydration or Oedemic

5.        Excessive secretions and excretions on the skin.

6.        Vascular insufficiency

7.        Use of external devices e.g. Cast bandage or Orthopedic devices.

Common Skin problems

1.        Dry Skin (Flaky, rough texture on exposed areas such as hands, arms, legs or face.

2.        Skin rashes:- Results from over exposure to sunlight or moisture or from allergic reaction

3.        Contact dermatitis: - Inflammation of the skin with scaly oozing lesion.

4.        Abrasion: Scrapping away of epidemics results in localized bleeding.

5.        Bacterial break down of sebum appears on face, neck, shoulders and back

Bed Bath

Definition

Bathing of the patient while he is in bed.

Purpose

1.        To cleanse the skin and thus increase elimination through it.

2.        To stimulate circulation through slightly active or entirely passive exercise.

3.        To refresh the patient by relieving fatigue and discomfort.

Care of Shoulder and Back

Routine care of shoulder and back must be done as often as necessary for all patients, who lie in bed in order to prevent bedsore.

Purpose

1.        To cleanse the skin and back.

2.        To stimulate circulation.

3.        To relieve fatigue and discomfort.

4.        To prevent bed sore.

Equipment

Procedure

1.        Bring the tray to the bed side and screen the bed.

2.        Explain to the patients

3.        Make him into left lateral position or right lateral

4.        Protect the bed with towel.

5.        Wet the shoulder and back.

6.        Soap the palm of the hand well and massage with circular movements. So that the tissues under the skin are moved and the circulation is stimulated.

7.        Rinse the soap off the skin with the wash cloth, and dry well with the towel.

8.        Apply lotion or spirit in the shoulder and back.

9.        Apply talcum powder to dry the skin.

10.   Leave the bed tidy and the patient comfortable.

If the patient is inconvenient, it is better to use ointment such as Zinc and Caster Oil instead of Spirit and Powder to protect the skin from moisture.