Skin and Serious Illness

Skin is the largest organ of the body. In this episode, we discuss how this organ system can reveal a persons illness progression and may provide warning that a person has serious illness. The skin truly does provide significant protection for us. Skin takes a lot of abuse over our life, so age-related changes are anticipated. Skin can exhibit many findings to give physicians clues as to different disease processes, premature aging, medication effects, and nutrition abnormalities. Supporting our skin with good care, prevention of injury, and protecting from dryness and the elements helps keep our best infection barrier intact. Prevention of infection by not allowing bacteria into the body for the immune system to fight off helps to keep us healthy. Providing care and limiting damage to the skin improves our overall health. As disease states advance naturally over time, even with the best care, it may not be possible to prevent injury. Skin tears, shearing, bed sores, pressure wounds are all a high risk for patients with advanced illness. Families caring for a frail loved one worry about skin injury. Even with everyone working very hard to prevent injury to the skin, it can still occur. Families should not beat themselves up and certainly should not give up on their efforts to care for their loved one. Even before the end of life, wounds can occur, and some wounds actually indicate that the dying process may be starting. Continuing to care for people, providing support, showing compassion and protecting their dignity is a demonstration of the respect and love that the family shares for the person.