Did you ever come out of a bath or pool and observed your fingertips were pale and wrinkled-looking? That’s how a moderate version of skin maceration looks like. However, skin maceration usually occurs once the skin is extensively exposed to moisture for a long duration of time. It can significantly affect your health.
What Results in Skin Maceration?
Showering and maintaining hygiene with the help of clear & clean water is a part of routine. But what if your skin was exposed to moisture constantly, 24/7? Prolonged exposure to moisture can result in maceration, a severe issue for your skin.
Skin maceration occurs once your skin is damaged by moisture on a cellular level. After skin is broken down, your skin is then extremely sensitive and vulnerable to other kinds of issues and complications.
Moisture-related to skin damage (MASD) is a broad term for four skin disorders caused by excess moisture:
- Periwound skin damage
- Peristomal MASD
- Intertriginous dermatitis (ITD)
- Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD)
MASD typically happens to individuals who are in contact with feces or urine for prolonged time due to urinary leakage or who sweat extremely. It can also occur to people who have bigger wounds that leaks fluid, or secrete, only if the wound isn’t kept properly dry or cleaned.
Indicators of Skin Maceration
In the world of healthcare, skin maceration is getting more common day by day. With the increase in maturing/old population.
Skin damage from moisture can show these symptoms:
- Sensitivity in the area
- Pain or discomfort
- Extremely itchy or scratchy skin, also known as pruritus
- A burning sensation
Individuals who deal with skin maceration can also results in additional concerns around the area. Fungal infections or bacterial can quickly be developed as in macerated skin because such microbes can grow in dark, damp environment.
Look out for following:
- Bedsores
- Pressure ulcers, can occur on macerated skin.
- Dermatitis is an irritating and painful skin disorder that can also be the reason or occur due to macerated skin.
Few other reasons that lead to or worsen MASD are as follows:
- Urinary leakage
- Inadequate hygiene
- Excessive pressure or rubbing on the skin
- Presence of bacteria or mold
- Dampness
- Skin irritants from chemicals or microorganisms
Skin Maceration and Urinary leakage
Urinary and fecal incontinence can be a delicate subject. Not many individuals are aware that many people struggle with it as it may feel challenging or awkward to discuss.
From our stats, we are aware that urinary incontinence can usually affect about 19% of women (aged 45 & even younger) about 29% of women of age 80 and up, suffers from it. There are no studies done in men, but we are aware that it affects up to 5-15% of men who live in retirement communities.
Thus, incontinence is strongly linked with skin maceration. Due to incontinence, moisture is excessively present on skin, it becomes macerated, if it is left for longer duration.
The skin barrier is heavily damaged once skin goes through maceration. This leads to severe bacterial and other irritating skin infections as well.
Feces and urine are extremely irritable for skin. Feces typically comprises of bacteria that worsen the cases of skin maceration. Incontinence-related maceration can be developed in as little as 4 days.
It typically develops as:
- skin folds,
- around inner thighs,
- Even around buttock areas.
Treatment for Skin Maceration
Since skin maceration develops from constant moisture, ensuring your skin is dry and clean can fasten up the recovery procedure.
When you are dealing with skin maceration, the 1st step is to make sure that clean and dry skin is your top priority. Do that thoroughly. This helps in removing bacteria in such cases. Apply a no-rinse, pH-balanced cleanser also helps.
Afterwards, an ointment must be applied. This step will act as a protective barrier. Make sure to keep your skin super dry and clean. Additionally, if maceration is due to incontinence, replace wet clothing promptly.
Moreover, you can treat skin maceration by lowering any pressure and friction on affected skin. That might also mean repositioning yourself or your loved one after every one or two hours. This helps in relieving pressure on affected area. Soft cushions may provide relief for sore or tender areas.
Make sure to change the bandages frequently to promote quick recovery and healing. Your diet must include proper nutrition, especially protein, will ensure your body has all essential nutrients it requires to begin healing. Hydration should also be in check as it only promotes healing.
Proper circulation of blood is crucial for body to recover. Don’t smoke and avoid any usage of tobacco. Smoking only slows down blood circulation and complicates healing process even further.
Macerated skin pictures
Living with skin maceration:
In many cases, mild skin maceration heals on its own once the area dries. However, individuals with incontinence or those confined to bed for extended periods are at higher risk of complications, including infections.
If you have a wound that isn’t healing, consult your healthcare provider for possible additional treatment to prevent further maceration or infection.
FAQs: Skin Maceration
What does skin macerated mean?
Skin or wound maceration occurs when skin softens and breaks down, typically appearing pale, soggy, wet, or soft near wounds.
Can I get rid of macerated skin?
The treatment for macerated skin varies based on its cause and severity. Mild cases often improve with air exposure, while more severe cases require medical intervention.
Is maceration bad for healing?
Yes, it can severely lowers down the procedure of healing.
Describe the difference between macerated and excoriated skin?
Maceration refers to a reversible skin whitening caused by excessive hydration and saturation (Gray and Weir, 2007). Excoriation is skin damage resulting from trauma, chemicals, or burns (Dowsett et al., 2015).
How long does macerated skin take to heal?
Usually, maceration resolves quickly once the skin dries. However, extended moisture exposure can delay the skin’s recovery to its normal state.
Is there any such thing as skin maceration from bandage?
Skin maceration occurs when the skin is exposed to moisture for extended periods, like during prolonged bathing, swimming, or when moisture is trapped by a bandage. Preventing maceration is crucial when there’s a risk of it happening.
How to treat skin maceration at home?
For skin maceration, patients should allow wounds to dry completely to prevent a moist environment that fosters bacteria or further maceration. Moist bandages should be replaced to stop its spread.
Is skin maceration dangerous?
Yes. If you have a wound and skin maceration condition develops then it is actually bad. Get in touch with your doctor ASAP.
Note:
Do you still think you have skin maceration? Make sure to check in with your health care provider ASAP. The longer you postpone addressing skin maceration, the worse it gets.
