Jerry Haney, SCI Series,Skin Care

I sincerely hope the information presented will be useful and help you and yours cope with this devastating injury.

If you do not find a subject shown here, please let me know and I will certainly try to research the information and present it on this website in continuing updates.

This important section is devoted to hygiene, and includes information and tips on daily and SCI specific hygiene, our skin and how to care for it, how to protect our skin from injury, suggestions for the alleviation and treatment of pressure sores, bladder and bowel programs.

Nutrition must be provided for the skin and vitamins A, E, and B6 or niacin are some key vitamins that are necessary for proper development and maintenance of healthy skin. These vitamins cannot function alone. They require adequate protein, calories, and other vitamins and minerals to carry out their function. These nutrients can be obtained by eating a variety of foods. One of the best tips is to eat a well-balanced diet and maintain good weight control. Being at the appropriate weight for your height will help lower the risk of skin breakdown.

For the SCI, your skin should be given special attention every day because of the decrease in circulation, lack of feeling, and lack of movement in your body below the level of your injury. Pressure sores can develop quickly. So the need to recognize, treat, and, most of all, prevent them is very important.

Function	Change	You Need To

Protection	No Change.	Avoid skin breaks

Sensation	Decrease in or no feeling of touch, pain, and temperature below the level of the SCI.	Provide specific protective habits to prevent skin and underlying tissue injury.

Temperature Regulation	Less sweat to evaporate and cool you below the level of the SCI. Excessive sweating may occur above the level of the SCI.	Control your environment temperature by air conditioning or stay out of the sun. Drink plenty of fluids if in the sun.

Fluid Regulation	No voluntary muscle action below the level of the SCI can produce tissue swelling due to fluid pooling (edema).	Wear compressive stockings. Elevate swollen parts to reduce edema.