Common Skin Care Problems
If not properly treated, the following list of problems may lead to broken skin, ulcerations, infections, and chronic wounds. If you have a chronic condition that makes wound healing difficult and any of the following happens to you, consult your doctor:

• Development of a wound, especially on the lower leg or foot
• Dry, cracked peeling skin
• Blisters or bumps with pus
• Dermatitis (dry or weeping)
• Allergic reactions
• Multiple or extensive skin tears
• Fissures of the skin on the feet, especially the heels

Cleaning/Moisturizing Skin
Cleansing of the skin needs to be done with gentle care and pH-balanced product to prevent trauma, and the drying/ stripping of natural oils. Moisturizing and or lubricating the skin after bathing, or at other times during the day and at bedtime will help increase the skin’s softness and suppleness. It also decreases the risk of trauma, friction, itching, and
general discomfort.

Cleansing Products:

• May be in a cream, foam, gel, liquid bar or lotion form.
• May be soap based or non-soap based.
• May be medicated and available by prescription only.
• Need to be natural with minimal to no preservatives.
• May require water for application and rinsing. Use lukewarm or room temperature (never hot) water.
• Need to be removed gently and thoroughly.

Moisturizing Products:
Read the label and know what products you are buying. These products:

• Should not include alcohol in any form because it dries the skin
• May have a lanolin base. You should watch for skin sensitivity
• May contain perfumes (made from coal tars, seed kernels) and dyes that frequently irritate sensitive skin
• May contain urea and lactic acid (alpha hydroxy acid). The alpha hydroxy acid in higher concentration may cause stinging of diabetic skin.

Skin Care Do's:

• Check your skin daily for dryness, cracks, sores, bruises, reddened areas and blisters.
• Cleanse the skin with a mild, pH-balanced product.
• Use warm to touch (on elbow or inner wrist) bathing water.
• Treat the skin gently without stretching, tugging or pulling.
• Use a very soft brush for nails and crusty skin.
• Moisturize the skin after cleansing. Leave a light film of moisture on the skin just prior to applying lotion or cream.
• Lubricate dry skin with a heavy (barrier) product after moisturizing.
• Wear soft clothing. Wear white socks for feet and gloves for hands, if indicated, for extra protection at night.
• Use baking soda powder or equivalent powders for foot care if perspiration is a problem.

Skin Care Don'ts:

• Don’t neglect new areas of irritation, soreness or discomfort on the skin.
• Don’t soak for more than ten minutes in the tub.
• Don’t bathe in hot water.
• Don’t apply tape of any kind to dry, sensitive or fragile skin.
• Don’t leave folds or creases of skin moist especially under and around toes.

Why is Skin Important?
Our skin is almost indestructible. It is constantly being renewed, and has both protective and adaptive properties. Some of its functions include:

• Prevention of fluid loss.
• Production of vitamin D.
• The excretion of metabolic wastes.
• Temperature and pressure sensation.
• The ability to use/absorb some medications.

What Factors Influence Skin?
Age, physical limitations, disease(s), trauma, nutritional state, and hygiene all affect the appearance, condition, health, suppleness and integrity of skin. The natural aging process results in skin becoming thinner, less elastic, more tissue-paper-like and more easily damaged during your daily activities. Underlying medical conditions or medications can increase the risk of bruising, trauma, drying, splitting, cracking and peeling of skin. Simply bumping or brushing up against an object can jeopardize thin, sensitive, fragile skin. If dryness, chapping, or peeling is present, a broken area may result in an open sore. An underlying disease may cause the sore to increase in size and become infected. This can cause much physical discomfort and be quite costly to treat.

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