The Nursing Care of the Chronic Patient (Continued)

Abstract

T HE nursing care of the chronic skin patient is very complicated. Some patients are difficult to manage. They pick at their skin, thereby retarding their recovery, and various methods of restraint have to be employed. Splints may have to be applied to the hands and arms of the patient, if bandaging will not prevent him from picking at his skin. Lotions and ointments are applied to the skin, daily starch baths are given, a special diet is enforced, and extreme cleanliness is maintained. Pemphigus cases, in particular, require a great deal of careful and delicate nursing. The daily potassium permanganate bath and the dressings take up a great deal of time. The affected areas have to be covered carefully with dressings, otherwise flies may have access to these parts.