Hygiene and Skin Lesions

Posted on Apr 8, 2025 in Biology

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Hygiene and cleanliness are concepts aimed at preventing disease and preserving health.

Postural Hygiene

Proper posture to avoid injuries during daily activities or work.

Occupational Hygiene

Conservation measures for health in the workplace.

The Necessity of Hygiene as Basic Health

Virginia Henderson framed hygiene within the basic needs of individuals. Maslow set physiological needs, including thermoregulation, as a priority. The skin plays an important, essential role when in good condition.

Hygiene is a basic and essential activity to be included in our care plan when the patient has diminished or revoked authority to carry out these activities alone.

Physical Benefits of Hygiene

Keep your skin in good condition: preserve its integrity, with no injuries or wounds.
Maintain your acid mantle and avoid pollution from unusual microorganisms.
Facilitate the peeling of dead cells.
Avoid infections.
Eliminate residual substances.
Evaluate the state of skin coloration and the appearance and evolution of ulcers.
Improve patient health status through appropriate water temperature, massage techniques, diverse mobilizations, and encouragement of patient rest.

Psychological Benefits of Hygiene

Improving the patient’s self-esteem.
Avoiding bad odors.
Creating a sensation of well-being.
Improving patient relationship and communication with the nursing staff.
Engaging the patient in their health measures where possible.

Technical Considerations for Hygiene

Before following any hygiene technique, consider these essential points:

Evaluate the type of technique based on the patient’s dependency and hygienic needs.
Know the patient’s state of health.
Maintain patient privacy: use screens, keep the door closed, prepare materials, leave the family outside, uncover only the part of the patient on which you are working, maintain a suitable temperature, and use adequate soap and care with probes and IV lines.

Primary Skin Lesions

Flat Lesions

Erythema

Reddening of the skin of vascular origin.

Angioma

Macule with an accumulation of red blood vessels in the dermis.

Telangiectasia

Permanent vascular dilation of vessels.

Macular Purpuric Lesions

Petechiae

Non-raised red points smaller than 2mm.

Ecchymosis

Larger stain. Macular alteration of skin color of vascular origin.

Solid Lesions

Papule

Elevated lesion less than 1 cm (epidermis).

Plaque

Different from papules.

Favus (Rash or Avon)

Can affect the epidermis and dermis.

Nodule

High injury, hypodermis, dermis, protuberant injury, greater than 1 cm.

Liquid-Filled Lesions

Vesicle

Elevated lesion filled with liquid (aqueous) less than 0.5 cm.

Bulla (Blister)

Water-filled lesion larger than 0.5 cm, with different causes.

Cyst

Fat-filled lesion.

Secondary Skin Lesions

Lesions with Scalp Loss

Erosion

Surface abrasion that does not bleed.

Excoriation

Small linear abrasion due to scratching.

Fissure

Linear cut.

Ulcer

Loss of substances affecting the dermis, epidermis, hypodermis, muscles, blood vessels, and bone.