Skin changes around wounds: A position paper from the professional society Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e.V.

Abstract

Many patients with chronic wounds have skin changes that can provide important clues as to the etiology of the wound and/or inappropriate treatment. As the largest human organ, the skin is easily accessible for clinical inspection. However, healthcare professional teams currently do not always assess and document these skin changes correctly and consistently. The board of the professional society Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e. V. has therefore decided to draw up a position paper to clarify the most important technical terms for skin changes around wounds. One focus here is on the definition and differentiated description of the wound edge and wound surrounding skin. Atrophies, blisters, eczema, erythema, hemorrhages, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, hyperkeratosis, maceration, necrosis, oedema, pustules, sclerosis and scales are then described in more detail and placed in a clinical context.