Maceration of the skin is a process that occurs with prolonged contact with fluids, during which epidermal tissue swells. Each person is faced with a similar phenomenon. Maceration can be observed on the skin of the pads of the fingers and toes, as well as on the palms and feet, if a person has been in water for a very long time, for example, in a pool or bath. Such a change in the epidermis is a completely natural process.
Skin maceration is not a disease. So the body reacts to the prolonged exposure of the fluid to the epidermal tissue. However, this process leads to softening of the upper layer of the skin, due to which its protective functions are reduced. This increases the risk of various infections entering the body.
The causes of maceration
Excessive moisture is the only cause of maceration of the skin. This condition occurs not only in close contact with water during bathing. Such changes in the skin can occur with excessive sweating. The severity of maceration depends on a number of reasons:
- temperature indicator;
- contact duration;
- chemical composition of the liquid, etc.
Short contact with water (no more than an hour) will result in slight maceration of the skin on the fingers. In order for the process of swelling of epidermal cells to affect the soles of the feet and hands, significantly more time must pass - over 10 hours.
Maceration is more pronounced after taking a hot bath, even if contact with water was short-lived. This is due to the fact that epidermal cells soften and swell under the influence of high temperatures.
No less important is the composition of the liquid. In fresh water, maceration occurs more slowly than in salt water.
Heavy sweating also leads to swelling of the upper layer of the epidermis. This phenomenon can be observed when using shoes made of synthetic materials. In this case, the legs sweat, and the moisture does not evaporate, which is why maceration of the skin of the feet occurs. The protective functions of the skin in this condition are reduced, which is why there is a high risk of a fungal disease (mycosis).
Signs
Maceration of the skin is a completely natural process. Its main feature is the swelling of skin cells. Moisture penetrates into them, due to which they significantly increase in size. The skin looks as if aged, wrinkled. First of all, the reaction occurs in the upper stratum corneum. The longer the contact with moisture, the deeper it will penetrate into the deeper layers.
At the first stage of maceration, minor defects appear on the skin of the fingers. Their occurrence is due to rejection of the upper horny cells. In the layer itself, voids (cavities) are formed.
The next stage is characterized by loosening of the stratum corneum. Cracks and other defects appear on it. The next stage is the rejection of part of the epidermis.
If maceration has touched the deeper layers of the skin, collagen tissue swells. Long contact with moisture can have negative consequences, which will be discussed later.
What are the consequences of this?
Photos of maceration of the skin are given in the article, they show how much the epidermal tissue swells.
The initial stage is not dangerous. Even if a person has been in the water for a couple of hours, literally in a short period the skin will restore to its original condition. From maceration there will be no trace.
It will take several days to restore the epidermis if a person has been in the water for about 24 hours.
But if maceration has reached the point that skin tissue rejection has begun, the help of specialists will be required: a dermatologist, an infectious disease specialist, and possibly a surgeon, if removal of the damaged layer of the epidermis is required. In this case, recovery can take much longer - up to several weeks.
To facilitate tissue regeneration in this case, it is recommended to use special creams and ointments. Doctors also advise drugs to stimulate immune defense and diet, where there will be a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins.
How to fix the problem?
How is skin maceration treated? There is no definite answer, since it all depends on the degree of swelling of the epidermal cells. With a mild degree of changes in the skin, restoration occurs naturally. However, with more severe forms, the use of special tools is required, less often this problem is eliminated surgically.
Treatment methods
How is skin maceration treated? There is no definite answer, since it all depends on the degree of swelling of the epidermal cells. With a mild degree of changes in the skin, restoration occurs naturally. However, with more severe forms, the use of special tools is required, less often this problem is eliminated surgically.
Consider the ways to fix the problem:
- Air treatments. Take off your shoes and socks and stay barefoot for longer. The recovery period using this method is very long 1-2 months. If possible, air baths should be taken as long as possible, they allow you to dry the skin.
- Dry socks and shoes are important! If a person has excessive sweating of the legs, you should regularly change socks and dry shoes. You should also give preference to products made from natural materials. Refuse synthetic shoes, as they don’t “breathe”. Socks that absorb moisture can also be purchased.
- Special equipment. Solutions with drying properties are used. Such funds include: alcohol, a decoction of oak bark, lotion, which includes witch hazel. Strongly brewed black tea and alum have similar properties. Formalin gel or absorbent powders are recommended. Depending on the severity of the stage, doctors may prescribe healing creams and ointments.
- The use of absorbent dressings protects the skin from possible injuries. They absorb excess moisture from the surface of the epidermis, thereby drying the skin. But there is one thing - they need to be changed regularly.
Maceration of the skin in a newborn
Often, maceration of the skin occurs in newborns due to improper care. Exudative diathesis may also be the cause. If a woman carried or did not inform the baby, maceration may also occur. Various diseases associated with metabolic disorders, certain chromosomal syndromes, as well as problems with the autonomic and central nervous system can lead to this condition of the skin.
To avoid maceration in the baby, you must follow certain rules:
- refuse tight swaddling;
- do not allow the baby to overheat;
- timely change diapers and observe basic hygiene rules;
- After bathing, thoroughly wipe the skin of the child;
- lubricate skin folds with special means or treat with baby powder, as the appearance of diaper rash promotes the formation of epidermis maceration.
Maceration of the skin around the stoma
In surgery, an ostomy is a hole of artificial origin, formed during surgery. After the operation, this part of the body needs careful care. If the skin around the stoma has a healthy appearance - this indicates the successful course of the rehabilitation period. However, the restoration process does not always go so smoothly. There are cases when maceration of the skin occurs around the stoma, which is accompanied by the formation of papules and exudating sores. Affected areas should be treated with a special absorbent powder, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. This tool dries out wounds and promotes their healing.
With pronounced maceration, the “Critique barrier” is used. The tool provides long-term protection, preventing the infection from penetrating deep into the layers of the epidermis.
Summarizing
Maceration is a natural reaction of the body to an external stimulus - water. This state does not bear any threat. However, if the contact with the liquid was prolonged, and a severe stage of maceration occurred, medical care is indispensable.