Preventing Pressure Injury

The best treatment for pressure injury is to avoid it. Any injury to the skin creates a scar that is not elastic like natural skin. A healed pressure injury is more vulnerable to future pressure injuries. Therefore, you cannot be too vigilant in protecting your skin. Even if you have had a pressure injury, you can take measures to help your skin stay healthy.

glass of water

Actions to maintain healthy skin and avoid pressure injury:

Drink water to hydrate your skin cells.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Use emollient moisturizing lotion or cream daily and sunscreen when outside.
Clean your body every two to three days.
Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth.
Dry well paying extra attention to folds of skin.
Never use talc-based powder as it has been linked to cancer.
Wash excretions completely off your skin with a mild soap.
Use a skin barrier preparation if needed.
Exercise all parts of your body daily.
Perform pressure-release maneuvers when in bed or in your chair.
Use only medical-grade pressure-dispersing equipment.
Make sure your wheelchair fits your body.
Wear loose-fitting clothing that does not have wrinkles, fasteners, buttons, rivets, or other hard substances under your body.
Wear socks and shoes to protect your feet.
Check your skin frequently as you build tolerance, as well as every morning and night.
Use a mirror or private phone to see hidden areas.
If there is a change in the pigment of your skin, stay off the area until it has resolved, then monitor the area closely as your tolerance of that area will be less until you build it up again.

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Calluses do not have the elasticity of the skin. They can be reduced ONLY by a healthcare professional or by soaking the callus and then using a soft cloth to buff off some of the callus followed by the application of an emollient cream. It takes days, weeks, or sometimes even months to reduce a callus. They should never be reduced quickly or with anything sharp as the underlying skin is too tender to maintain its structure leading to a pressure injury or cut in the skin.

More detailed information about skin care can be found here.

Good skin care becomes a habit. It seems like a huge task at first but as you adapt, it becomes second nature.

Pediatric Consideration:

Involve your child in performing skincare as they are able. Transition to independence as soon as the child is developmentally able.

Help avoid childhood pressure injury so your child will be able to lead a ‘healthy skin’ adulthood.