Prevention and Treatment of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD): Contributes of Nursing Intervention

Abstract

Incontinence-Associated dermatitis (IAD) is a combination of skin changes caused by the presence of confluent moisture, being characterized by prolonged skin exposure to elimination. This is a rather frequent condition, taking into account that there is a significant proportion of people, most of whom are aged 65 years or over and are admitted to acute or long-term care, suffering from urinary and/or fecal incontinence [1]. Typically it is recognized as an inflammation of the skin surface characterized by redness (skin rush), which mainly affects the region of the thighs, buttocks and scrotum, in males and large lips in females [1,2]. This type of injury translates the reaction of the skin to the aggressor agent, immediately compromising its ability to act as a protective barrier [3]. If IAD is not identified and treated in a timely manner, this redness and/or rush may progress rapidly to the local formation of abrasions and vesicular lesions that with prolonged exposure to risk factors may trigger an infectious process with high severity [4]. A cycle begins where a progressive increase of local inflammation and loss of cutaneous integrity is observed [1].