How do you describe a wound undermining?

Wound undermining occurs when significant erosion occurs underneath the outwardly visible wound margins resulting in more extensive damage beneath the skin surface. Consequently, while the external wound might appear small, large areas of tissue loss will be detected beneath the surface when the opening is probed.

What is undermining in suturing?

Undermining refers to the technique of using sterile scissors to bluntly dissect the dermal layer away from the underlying connective tissue. Through the use of this technique, you can take away some of the connective tissue adhesions which anchor the skin in place and remove static tension on the wound.

What is skin Eschar?

Eschar is dead tissue that falls off (sheds) from healthy skin. It is caused by a burn or cauterization (destroying tissue with heat or cold, or another method). An escharotic is a substance (such as acids, alkalis, carbon dioxide, or metallic salts) that causes the tissue to die and fall off.

What causes undermining in wounds?

Wound undermining occurs when the tissue under the wound edges becomes eroded, resulting in a a pocket beneath the skin at the wound’s edge. Undermining is measured by inserting a probe under the wound edge directed almost parallel to the wound surface until resistance is felt.

What stage is a wound with undermining?

Stage IV – Full thickness skin loss with exposed bone, tendon or muscle. Slough or eschar may be present on some parts of the wound bed. Often include undermining and tunneling.

How is wound undermining measured?

To measure undermining, check at each area or “hour” of the clock around the wound. Measure the undermining by inserting the cotton tip applicator into the area of undermining and grab the applicator at the wound edge. Measure the applicator against the ruler. When measuring undermining, use ranges.

What is the difference between scab and eschar?

To distinguish between a scab and eschar, remember that a scab is a collection of dried blood cells and serum and sits on top of the skin surface. Eschar is a collection of dead tissue within the wound that is flush with skin surface.

Should eschar be removed?

You may see eschar after a burn injury, gangrenous ulcer, fungal infection, necrotizing fasciitis, spotted fevers, and exposure to cutaneous anthrax. Current standard of care guidelines recommend that stable intact (dry, adherent, intact without erythema or fluctuance) eschar on the heels should not be removed.

What is undermining in a pressure ulcer?

Undermining is the region underneath the overlying loose skin around a pressure ulcer (see Figure 1). It is an important feature of a pressure ulcer because it reflects the real size of a pressure ulcer. For example, a pressure ulcer with a small surface area may have extensive undermining.