Skin trauma due to the removal of medical adhesive devices
Skin trauma due to the removal of medical adhesive devices … Age, medications, illness, dehydration and inadequate nutrition can individually or in combination render the skin weakened and vulnerable to trauma. Sometimes, despite the best of care, injury happens when we remove dressings, tapes, ECG dots, drapes and so on. It is worth remembering that skin which is hydrated and moisturised is stronger than skin which is dry or presenting scale. Protecting vulnerable skin with barrier agents (as provided by a number of wound product manufacturers) prior to applying adhesive devices to the skin is recommended. Likewise using an adhesive remover (also obtained from these same manufacturers) when actually removing adhesive items can minimise the risk of skin damage.