What it means
A break in the outer layer of skin, often in lines or patches. It can come from scratching itchy skin, or from skin being worn away by moisture and irritants, such as urine and stool in incontinence or drainage around a wound or stoma. Excoriated skin is sore and easily infected.
For the nurse
Find and remove the cause: clean the skin gently after incontinence, use a barrier cream, and fit stoma appliances well. Keep the nails of a client who scratches short, and report itching that does not stop.
At a glance
| Spanish | excoriación |
|---|---|
| Also written | excoriations, excoriated |
Related terms
incontinence
Loss of control over the bladder or bowel, so urine or stool leaks out without the person meaning it to.
lesion
An area of tissue that has been damaged or has changed from normal, such as a sore, wound, lump or spot.
pruritus
Itching of the skin.