If you are a healthcare practitioner, then you know that one of the most important things you can do for your patients is to keep their skin healthy. This means preventing and treating wounds, as well managing the periwound area.. 

One condition that can be especially tricky to deal with is periwound maceration. In this blog post, we discuss what periwound maceration is, how to identify it and how to treat it.

Patients with Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD) often experience intense itching, erythema, scaling and pain. In some cases, the condition can be so severe that patients are unable to sleep or perform their regular activities. 

That’s where Medi Derma-S Barrier Cream comes in. This cream has been shown to greatly improve skin conditions and quality of life for patients with MASD.

What is periwound maceration?

Periwound maceration is a risk for those with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) or venous leg ulcers (VLU) but the Medicareplus Barrier Film can help mitigate pain and further damage, driving better healing of the ulcers. Having said that, depending on the wound and various factors influencing the management, some periwound damage may be unavoidable.

Periwound maceration is a condition that occurs when the skin around a wound becomes soft, wrinkled and white. This can happen when the area is constantly wet or moist, especially if the wound is not properly cleaned and dressed; and often, this might make it more difficult for wounds to heal.

When a wound becomes too moist, the skin surrounding the wound — the periwound — can become macerated. Skin that is macerated is vulnerable to further breakdown and that could cause the wound itself to grow in size, severity and pain for the patient.

How to identify periwound maceration

It is advised that healthcare practitioners compile a detailed history of each patient's skin that should be reassessed every time the dressing is changed. At present, there are are limited resources available to help clinicians identify periwound skin damage. On the other hand, several instruments have been developed to assess the degree of incontinence-associated dermatitis.

Much like our S.M.A.R.T reporting tool, healthcare professionals can use this and other tools to diagnose periwound maceration and other types of MASD.

There are a few things you can look for, to determine if the skin around a wound shows periwound damage. First, take a look at the colour of the skin: if it has turned white or pale, this is a sign of periwound maceration; however be mindful of the colour of the skin in patients with different skin tones. Another sign to look for is wrinkling of the skin. When the skin around a wound is constantly wet, it will start to wrinkle. Finally, take a look at the texture of the skin. If it feels soft or spongy, this is also a sign of periwound maceration.

How to treat periwound maceration?

If you suspect that the skin around a wound has periwound maceration, it is important to take action right away.

Clean the wound and the surrounding area

The first step is to clean the wound and the surrounding area. Be sure to use a gentle cleanser and avoid scrubbing the area. Once the wound is clean, dry it off completely, withou any vigorous rubbing.
 

Apply a bandage or dressing

Once you have applied the barrier film, you can then apply the suitable dressing. Be sure to choose one that is absorbent and breathable to allow the wound to heal properly.

Monitor the area closely

Be sure to monitor the area closely for any further signs of periwound maceration. If you see any, be sure to take action right away. Research also supports the use of barrier films, creams and ointments as a preventative approach in individuals at high risk.

By following these steps, you can help prevent periwound maceration and promote healing.

Medicareplus offers a range of wound care products that can help to prevent periwound maceration and other types of MASD. Our products are designed to be gentle on the skin are easy to use and backed by clinical evidence, enabling clinicians to deliver better patient outcomes.