by the WoundSource Editors

Denuded: The loss of epidermis, caused by prolonged moisture and friction.

Excoriation: Linear erosion of skin tissue resulting from mechanical means.

Maceration: The softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture.

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD): Caused by prolonged skin exposure to sweat, urine, feces, saliva, and other moisture that can cause harmful effects to the skin. MASD can occur on the skin anywhere on the body. High-risk locations for MASD are characterized by areas that may be difficult to dry, get minimal exposure to air, or folds/creases of skin.

• Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD): Inflammation and skin erosion associated with exposure to urine and/or stool.
• Intertriginous dermatitis: Inflammation in areas of skin-to-skin or skin-to-device contact related to perspiration, friction, bacterial, and/or fungal bioburden.
• Peristomal moisture-associated skin damage: Inflammation surrounding a stoma resulting from sustained contact of stool or urine. Peristomal moisture-associated skin damage can develop around any type of stoma. This includes tracheostomies, gastrostomies, urostomies, and colostomies.
• Periwound moisture-associated skin damage: Wound exudate that has sustained contact with the skin and causes damage. Inflammation and erythema to skin with or without erosion.

Perineal environment: Factorial components and substances that impact perineal skin tissues, including types of incontinence, irritants, enzymes, skin pH, and fungi/bacteria.

Tissue tolerance: The ability of skin and its supporting structures to endure the effects of pressure without damaging effect. Tissue tolerance factors include age, health, nutrition, oxygen level/perfusion, and core body temperature.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of WoundSource, Kestrel Health Information, Inc., its affiliates, or subsidiary companies.