Preventing skin issues
After injury, daily inspection of the skin is very important. By looking at your skin every day, you can catch potential problems before they become serious. Check your whole body, paying special attention to the bony areas, at least twice a day.
How to do a skin check
Check your skin in the morning and evening. If you have a known problem area, such as an open area, bruise, cut, or burn, check that area hourly.
- Hold your mirror.
- Look at the front, back, and sides of your body from head to toe.
- Note any areas that may have redness, swelling, bruises, cuts, burns, scabs, rashes, blisters, or shiny or discolored spots.
- Feel over bony areas for swelling, raised, warm, or hardened areas.
- Consider having someone help you.
- Check the skin more often if lying or sitting for long periods of time.
- Always check skin immediately after a fall or accident affecting any area with decreased feeling.
- Check known problem areas more than twice a day.
- Call the doctor if you notice any open areas, darkened, reddened areas, burns or blisters.
- Use your skin check worksheet when doing checks.