Skin health

Simply put, healthy skin is skin that is not diseased. However, this might be thought of as a somewhat limited interpretation of the concept. An alternative view is that healthy skin is skin which fulfils all its physical, psychological and social functions. This view incorporates a wider conception of skin health which goes beyond the physical and embraces psychological, social and quality of life issues. This content aims to embrace this wider concept of skin health and to emphasise how nursing skills can be used to meet all those patient needs. This section will specifically look at areas relating to skin health which do not ‘belong’ in any other part of this content, but none-the-less warrant attention.