Skin breakdown can have a life-threatening impact and it can sneak up on you and your loved one.  You can avoid it and you can also make quick changes to help promote the healing of this condition.   

Here is what happens: pressure applied to the surface tension of the skin diminishes blood flow to the skin and can have very negative results in as little as 1-2hrs.  A serious skin breakdown can develop into an open pressure sore within just one week.  An advancing open sore can become serious and lead to complications within 1 month.  Here are some examples of seriously negative complications from skin breakdown: 

• cellulitis
• bone and joint infection
• cancer
• sepsis

Risk factors associated with the development of skin breakdown: 

• Immobility or decline in mobility
• incontinence of urine and/or stool
• impaired sensation of skin
• poor nutrition
• poor blood flow

You can avoid the potential development of skin breakdown by making sure that your loved one can adjust their own position frequently and that they are not sitting on a hard surface for any period of time greater than an hour if they are at risk.   If they can't reposition their own body, take a close look at why and how to help them develop this skill.  (MORE on this to come, so stay tuned) .  
Use non skin shearing surfaces to help mobilize them if you have to do all the work. 
Use pressure-relieving cushions to help reduce the risk of pressure sores.  (low air loss mattresses, chair cushions that are air-filled or gel-filled) 

signs of skin breakdown in order

1. red skin that may be warm and your LO complains of itchy or burning sensation or pain
2. purple colored skin that is more painful or may have lost some of the sensation 
3. open area has developed and may be oozing

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