Skin Damage Management with a Micronutrient Containing Skin Care Line in a Four Hospital System

As the body’s largest organ, the skin requires vigilance, particularly in high risk patients, such as the elderly and the young. The skin serves three main functions: protection, regulation and sensation. Since the skin is the primary line of defense, to mechanical forces, chemical elements and external organisms, maintaining skin integrity is of vital importance. For patients who have incontinence issues, repeated and extended exposure to urine and stool, which contain alkaline chemicals and enzymes, make maintaining skin integrity a challenge and can lead to incontinence associated dermatitis. The weakening of the skin’s barrier function makes it more susceptible to friction, erosion and bacteria. Moisture related skin damage from exposure to caustic bodily fluids has been associated with pain and secondary infection. A variety of barrier products are available to protect the skin from these corrosive fluids, so purpose of this case series study was to evaluate a skin barrier with added micronutrition on patients at high risk for skin breakdown.

For this evaluation, patients who were seen for incontinence referrals were evaluated. A plan of care for the skin was given, which included the application of the barrier with micronutrition. The health and quality of the skin was assessed.

Overall, the skin barrier with micronutrition effectively maintained the integrity of the at risk skin.