A Practical Method for Rapid Measurement of Skin Condition
A Practical Method for Rapid Measurement of Skin Condition
Skin evaluation methods describe the severity of erythema, dryness or rash relative to normal, healthy skin on the same person. The region of interest varies depending upon the situation. For example, if the interest is the skin condition following dressing removal, the region of interest would be the area covered by the dressing. For diapered infants, skin areas covered by the diaper are the buttocks, genital region, perineal region and intertriginous areas and they are judged separately and given separate scores. For NICU patients, the perineal region is likely to have more compromise than other regions. The degree of skin compromise involves the area of involvement (within the region of interest) and severity of the compromise. The numerical scores derive from severity of damage, e.g., inflammation and erythema, and area (percent) of involvement with nearby areas of "normal", uninvolved skin as a reference. Erythema is scored with a 9-point 0–4 scale with 0.5 grade increments and rash with a 7-point 0–3 scale with half grade increments. Dryness is measured on an 11-point 0–5 scale with 0.5 grade increments.
Skin Evaluation: General Principles
Skin evaluation methods describe the severity of erythema, dryness or rash relative to normal, healthy skin on the same person. The region of interest varies depending upon the situation. For example, if the interest is the skin condition following dressing removal, the region of interest would be the area covered by the dressing. For diapered infants, skin areas covered by the diaper are the buttocks, genital region, perineal region and intertriginous areas and they are judged separately and given separate scores. For NICU patients, the perineal region is likely to have more compromise than other regions. The degree of skin compromise involves the area of involvement (within the region of interest) and severity of the compromise. The numerical scores derive from severity of damage, e.g., inflammation and erythema, and area (percent) of involvement with nearby areas of "normal", uninvolved skin as a reference. Erythema is scored with a 9-point 0–4 scale with 0.5 grade increments and rash with a 7-point 0–3 scale with half grade increments. Dryness is measured on an 11-point 0–5 scale with 0.5 grade increments.
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