Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) results from an extended period of exposure to various types of moisture, commonly urine or faeces, sweat, and wound exudate1. It can result in extensive skin breakdown through erythema, maceration and eventually moisture lesions, with the most common presentations being incontinenceassociated dermatitis (IAD), intertriginous dermatitis, periwound moisture-associated dermatitis, and peristomal moisture-associated dermatitis1. MASD is not caused by moisture alone — other factors including friction, hygiene products, or microorganisms are usually involved1. MASD can be painful and effect the patient’s quality of life2, potentially resulting in moisture lesions if not properly managed.
Student nurse Celene Gibbon reviews the literature surrounding sacral moisture lesions and sacral pressure damage and the challenges of misdiagnosis and subsequent mismanagement of the wound.
Celene Gibbon is a 3rd year student nurse, Dip/HE Adult Branch Nursing, University of Chester.
Article accepted for publication: January 2009
