Pressure Ulcers Prevention
There are 5 key steps to prevent pressure ulcers:
Nutrition
Keeping skin integrity
Preventive skin care
To prevent pressure ulcers, care forÂ
Skin hygiene to prevent pressure ulcers:
- keep the skin clean and hydrated
- cleanse the skin after episodes of incontinence
- avoid using soaps and cleansers including alkaline
- protect skin from moisture with a barrier product (e.g.Â
When cleaning the skin, avoid strong rubbing, that can damage the skin2.Â
Ensure the skin is dry after cleansing, paying particular attention to skin folds and select soft fabrics for washers and towels to prevent damage from friction during drying.Â
Continence Management: Use high absorbency incontinence products to protect the skin in individuals with or at risk of pressure injuries who have urinary incontinence.Â
Bed Linen: Consider using textiles with low friction coefficients for individuals with or at risk of pressure injuries.Â
Prophylactic dressings: Another way to protect the skin is prophylactic dressing, which is a soft silicone multi-layered foam dressing, that can protect the skin.Â
Repositioning
something
Nutrition
Vital role in preventing, all organs, even the skin needs nutrition for growth , maintenance and repair of body tissues. Both undernutrition and inadequate nutritional intake have been linked to the development of pressure ulcers and protracted healing
Don’t forget to have enough hydrationÂ
It is good practice to encourage individuals at risk of a pressure injury to consume a balanced diet that includes nutrient dense food and adequate hydration.
People who are malnourished—or at risk of malnutrition—are more likely to develop pressure ulcers. Poor nutrition affects how well the skin and tissues grow, repair, and heal. This means both prevention and recovery depend heavily on getting the right nutrients.
Malnutrition doesn’t just mean being underweight. It can happen at any body size if the body isn’t getting (or absorbing) enough protein, energy, vitamins, or minerals. Signs like unintended weight loss can be early warning signals.
- A balanced diet with nutrient-rich foods and enough fluids supports skin and tissue health.
- Nutritional supplements (like protein shakes or fortified foods) may be needed if regular meals don’t cover all needs.
- Ongoing monitoring ensures that care plans stay effective as health conditions change.
Want to Learn More?
References
1. K
2. Cooper P, Gray D. Comparison of two skin care regimes for incontinence. Br J Nurs, 2001; 10(6): S6-S20.
