People with brain impairment often face special challenges in skin care due to limited physical activity, cognitive impairment or reduced sensory functioning. As the first line of defence for the human body, maintaining the integrity and health of patients with brain damage is essential not only to prevent infection, but also to improve the comfort and quality of life of the patients and create conditions conducive to their overall rehabilitation.
First, skin cleanness is the basis for skin care. The body is regularly wiped out for brain damage patients, using warm water and mild cleaning materials, and softly cleaning the dirt, sweat and secretions on the skin surface. Particular attention is paid to skin wrinkles, such as neck, armpit, groin, elbow and turbo, which are prone to the accumulation of dirt and poor ventilation and are areas with high skin problems. In the course of cleaning, the movement must be soft and do not cause excessive skin damage. In the case of long-term bed-bed patients, a bath may be performed in the bed, using soft towels or one-time clean-up cloths, which shall be wiped from top to bottom and from the point of departure in order to ensure that each part is thoroughly cleaned.
Second, protection against skin pressure is a key link. People with brain damage are highly vulnerable to concussion because of their reduced or lost ability to act autonomously. Therefore, time-bound return is an essential care measure. It is generally recommended that the patient be turned over every 2 hours, with the use of overturning aids, such as pillows, air mattresses, etc., to help the patient maintain a comfortable and safe position. When turning over, care is taken to examine the skin condition of all parts of the patient ‘ s body, in particular the skeletal skeletal glare, heel, elbow and pillow, and to see if there are signs of concussion such as red, white, broken or aqueous. If a slight red skin is found, measures should be taken in a timely manner, such as a light massage of the skin around it to promote blood circulation, but to avoid the centre of the red part of the massage to avoid further damage.
Moreover, keeping the skin moderately humid cannot be ignored. Dry skins are susceptible to tickling, shredding and even cracking, increasing the risk of infection. Temperature, unstimulated wet emulsion or moist cream may be used to recharge the skin of the patient, especially during dry seasons or in the environment. When painted, it shall be applied evenly to the skin surface of the body, with a light massage until it is fully absorbed. It needs to be noted, however, that for incontinent patients, it is necessary to ensure that the skin is clean and dry before the use of humid products, avoid mixing of humid and excreta and increase skin irritation.
Furthermore, care for vaginal and anal skin is particularly important for incontinent brain damage patients. Clean up excreta in a timely manner and use soft wet cloths or special cleaning towels to wipe lightly and avoid residual skin irritation. Upon cleaning, asymmetric ass ointment or skin protective agent can be properly painted to form a protective film to reduce direct contact and erosion of the excreta to the skin. At the same time, contaminated sheets, beds and clothing are replaced in a timely manner, and patients ‘ beds are kept clean, dry and comfortable.
People with brain damage may be insensitive to pain, temperature and stress irritation due to sensory disorders, which requires more careful observation by caregivers in their daily care. For example, when using hot water or ice bags for local heating or cooling of patients, the temperature and time are strictly controlled, and the skin is covered with towels before contact is made to prevent burns or freezing. Care is also to be taken to check whether there are too tight or strangulations when wearing clothing, footwear and restraint belts for patients and to avoid skin damage as a result of local blood cycles.
The need for healthy skin is also taken into account in the nutritional support of patients. To ensure that the patient receives sufficient nutrients, such as proteins, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, which play an important role in maintaining the normal structure and functioning of the skin and in promoting healing. Adequate nutritional security for skin health can be provided through a reasonable mix of diets, such as increased intake of foods such as skinny meat, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits, or nutritional supplements under the guidance of a doctor.
Skin care for people with brain damage is a systematic and detailed exercise requiring a joint effort by the caregiver, the family and the patient himself. Through careful skin care, skin complications can be effectively prevented, the suffering of patients reduced, and the path to the rehabilitation of patients with brain damage laid a solid foundation for them to feel more comfort and care during their journey to health.
